Children with Disabilities Archives | Grady H. Williams, Jr. LL.M, Attorneys at Law

Category archives: Children with Disabilities

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren May Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit
4 years ago
Raising a grandchild can be tough financially, but grandparents should be aware that there is a tax credit available that could help them. Working grandparents who are supporting their grandchildren may qualify for the earned income tax credit, which could reduce the amount they pay in taxes by thou... [read more]

Tips on Creating an Estate Plan that Benefits a Child with Special Needs
4 years ago
Parents want their children to be taken care of after they die. But children with disabilities have increased financial and care needs, so ensuring their long-term welfare can be tricky. Proper planning by parents is necessary to benefit the child with a disability, including an adult child, as well... [read more]

Invite Others to Contribute to the Trust
4 years ago
When parents ponder how to provide for their child with special needs, they sometimes forget one of the key advantages of a special needs trust that is created while the parents are still alive: the trust can be the recipient not just of the obvious assets that are available for the child. Members o... [read more]

Kiddie Tax Changes May Increase Burden for Families with SNTs
4 years ago
Major changes to the “kiddie tax” could significantly increase the tax liability of assets placed in special needs trusts if the trust’s beneficiary is a minor and the income the trust earns is high enough. Congress enacted the so-called “kiddie tax” in 1986 to deter wealthy families from “in... [read more]

What Is an ABLE Account? An Introduction
4 years ago
Since the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014, tens of thousands of people with disabilities have opened up new, special tax-free savings accounts to save for disability-related expenses. These accounts, popularly known as ABLE accounts, allow many people with disabi... [read more]

Pooled Trusts: Should You Consider Taking a Dip?
4 years ago
Most special needs trusts (SNTs) are set up to benefit one individual. But it’s possible to contribute to a trust where the funds of many people with special needs are “pooled.” This kind of trust, called a pooled or (d)(4)(C) trust, may be a better option for some people than the conventional SN... [read more]

Survey Ranks Nearly 200 Cities on Friendliness to People with Special Needs
4 years ago
When people with disabilities and their families are considering a particular urban area, numerous factors come into play. Does the city provide accessible amenities, such as sidewalks, transportation, entertainment options, and parks? Is affordable housing available, and is this housing economical ... [read more]

2018 Midterms Raise Accessibility Concerns
4 years ago
As the midterm elections approach, disability rights advocates are concerned about whether all eligible voters with disabilities will, in fact, have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. About 35 million eligible voters in the U.S. have a disability – close to one in six. Although ... [read more]

Are State ABLE Programs Sustainable? Disability Advocates Raise Concerns
5 years ago
In the past two years, nearly every state in the country has passed legislation enabling people with disabilities and their families to open new savings accounts, modeled after popular 529 college savings plans, to save for disability related expenses. But early projections indicate that many of ... [read more]

SSA Liberalizes Rules on When Special Needs Trusts Can Reimburse Family Members for Travel
5 years ago
Travel is sometimes necessary when a family has a child with special needs. Family members may need to visit the person with special needs, or a medical emergency may require travel to care for the loved one, or the family may simply want to take the child with special needs on vacation. For... [read more]

Lawsuit Targets Education Department’s Handling of Discrimination Claims
5 years ago
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) receives tens of thousands of discrimination complaints, of which disability discrimination is by far the largest category. For example, complaints can allege that students with disabilities are not being given accessible textbooks, are being denied ... [read more]

Is Your Child Eligible for Childhood Disabled Beneficiary Benefits?
5 years ago
Understanding what benefits might be available to your child or loved one with special needs can be confusing. Different benefits apply in different circumstances, and sometimes different benefit programs can work together to help meet the needs of an individual. Childhood disabled beneficiary bene... [read more]