FAQ

Start Your Special Needs Life Planning Journey!

Below we offer a few common questions and answers regarding the special needs life planning process.

My loved one with special needs is quite young. Do I really need to start planning now?

It may seem as though you still have all the time in the world to begin planning for your loved one’s transition into adulthood and beyond. Unfortunately, time really does fly by and your loved one will grow older in the blink of an eye. It’s never too early to begin working with a team to proactively plan for a time when you are no longer here. In fact, the earlier you start, the more options you have available to you. The longer you delay, the fewer options you have.

My loved one with special needs is already older. Isn’t it too late to develop a plan?

Some people think it’s too late to begin planning if their loved one with special needs is already 17 and going to transition into adulthood soon. Others think it’s too late if their loved one is 20, 30, or even 50. The truth is that it’s never too late. Even if your loved one is middle-aged, working with a special needs life planning team now is vastly preferable to never doing it at all. In fact, planning is even more critical later on in a person’s life, as this is when the most significant transition can take place. When a primary caretaker(s) passes away it will be essential to have a plan in place that takes care of the funding, legal, and support needs that are critical to life.

My family already has a traditional plan. Do we really need one that’s tailored for individuals with special needs?

This is a common misconception, but the truth is that a traditional plan and one that is designed specifically for families in the special needs community are quite different. Each family is unique, and so too is our approach to family-centered planning. It’s not uncommon for traditional plans–while well-intended–to actually do more harm than good. A special needs life plan must take into consideration the cost of care for the special needs member, the legal protections they require, the supports that must be written into a care plan, and a team of supporters monitoring their needs in an ongoing fashion.

My estate is fairly complex. Does your team have the necessary expertise to manage it?

Our team of knowledgeable planners enjoys taking on tough challenges! We have years of experience providing specialized planning services for families in the special needs community and we're equipped to handle complex situations and needs. We are prepared to meet families at any level of complexity.

I’m not sure my family has sufficient financial resources
to create a plan. What should I do?

At Special Abilities Network, we believe that every family that wants a special needs life plan should have one. We offer a range of services to meet the varying resources of families across the country.

As you begin to take the first step toward creating your special needs life plan, t’s quite likely that you have many more questions. Rest assured that at SAN, we’ll take the time to get to know you and your family, and to answer all of your questions at length. By the end of your consultation, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and how to go about it, and our team will then get to work developing your special needs plan.

Our mission is to partner with you and your family to build and implement your special needs life plan. Once we take the planning off your plate, your family can focus on what truly matters in life—building memories and sharing life experiences. Are you ready to get started?

FAQ