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Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

A woman with down syndrome wearing eyeglasses sitting in the kitchen at home
Article from Special Needs Answers

Parents of adult children with disabilities know that their child’s disability needs may change over the course of their lifetime. Planning for the future well-being of an adult child with disabilities is, therefore, a responsive, ongoing process.

The life expectancy of many adults with disabilities has increased over time. For example, according to research, life expectancy for adults with Down syndrome rose from 25 in 1983 to 60 in 2020. Those with cerebral palsy, the most common motor disability of US children, may often live into their 50s.

The ever-increasing life expectancies of people with disabilities mean that comprehensive special needs planning requires short- and long-term planning. The following five elements are key to laying the foundation to ensure a successful support system for your adult child:

1. Vision

2. Living Arrangements

3. Government Resources

4. Private Financial Resources

5. Legal Needs: Special Needs Planning Attorneys 

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