Special Needs Planning

Special Needs Planning in Alaska

Planning for a loved one with disabilities requires more than a traditional estate plan. Without proper planning, a well-intentioned gift or inheritance could unintentionally affect eligibility for important government benefits. At Bridgepoint Law, we help families throughout the entire Matanuska Valley, focusing primarily in Wasilla and Palmer, create special needs plans that protect loved ones while preserving access to programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and other public benefits.


Every family’s situation is unique. Whether you are planning for a child with special needs, an adult family member with disabilities, or future long-term care concerns, we create personalized plans designed to provide financial security, preserve benefits, and support long-term quality of life through coordinated wills and trusts planning. Every plan includes a no cost three-year review to ensure your planning continues to meet your family's needs as life changes.

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What Is Special Needs Planning?

Special needs planning is the process of creating legal and financial strategies that provide support for a person with disabilities without jeopardizing eligibility for government assistance programs.


A comprehensive special needs plan may help:

  • Preserve SSI, Medicaid, and other public benefits
  • Protect inheritances and financial gifts
  • Provide long-term financial support
  • Create a framework for future care decisions
  • Coordinate family members, caregivers, and trustees
  • Reduce uncertainty about the future

Our goal is to help families create a plan that provides stability, security, and peace of mind.

Special Needs Trusts: Protecting Benefits and Assets

One of the most effective tools in special needs planning is a Special Needs Trust. These trusts allow assets to be used for the benefit of a person with disabilities while helping preserve eligibility for means-tested government programs.


Depending on your circumstances, we may recommend:

Third-Party Special Needs Trusts

These trusts are commonly created by parents, grandparents, or other family members as part of an estate plan. Assets placed in the trust can be used to enhance quality of life while preserving benefit eligibility.

First-Party Special Needs Trusts

These trusts may be appropriate when a person with disabilities receives funds directly through an inheritance, settlement, or other source. Proper planning can help protect eligibility for public benefits while allowing those funds to be used for approved supplemental needs.

We help families determine which trust structure best fits their goals and coordinate those trusts with their broader estate plans.

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Common Questions About Special Needs Planning

  • Will my loved one lose government benefits if they receive an inheritance?

    Possibly. Many government benefit programs, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid, have strict asset and income limits. Receiving an inheritance outright could affect eligibility. A properly structured Special Needs Trust may allow assets to be used for your loved one's benefit while helping preserve access to important public benefits.

  • What is the difference between a first-party and third-party Special Needs Trust?

    A third-party Special Needs Trust is typically funded by parents, grandparents, or other family members as part of their estate plan. A first-party Special Needs Trust is generally funded with assets that belong to the individual with disabilities, such as an inheritance, settlement, or other funds received directly. The appropriate trust depends on the source of the assets and the family's goals.

  • Who should serve as trustee of a Special Needs Trust?

    The trustee should be someone who is responsible, organized, and willing to manage the trust according to its terms and applicable laws. Some families choose a trusted relative or friend, while others prefer a professional trustee. We help families evaluate their options and select a trustee who can effectively manage funds and support the beneficiary's long-term needs.

  • Can special needs planning be combined with my existing estate plan?

    Absolutely. In fact, special needs planning is often most effective when coordinated with your overall estate plan. Wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and other planning documents should work together to protect your loved one while preserving eligibility for government benefits.

  • When should special needs planning begin?

    The earlier planning begins, the more options are typically available. Whether your loved one is a child or an adult, proactive planning can help ensure financial resources, caregiving decisions, and benefit eligibility are properly coordinated before a crisis occurs.

Planning for Real Life in the Matanuska Valley

We regularly help families plan for:

  • Children and adults with disabilities
  • Special Needs Trust creation and administration
  • SSI and Medicaid benefit preservation
  • Trustee selection and guidance
  • Inheritance and asset protection planning
  • Coordination with existing wills, trusts, and powers of attorney
  • Long-term care and support planning
  • Family education regarding future caregiving responsibilities

Our approach goes beyond preparing documents. We help coordinate beneficiary designations, integrate special needs planning into your overall estate plan, and create strategies that can adapt as circumstances change. Every plan includes a no cost three-year review, allowing us to revisit your plan as your family grows and laws evolve.

Serving the Matanuska Valley

We work with individuals and families throughout Wasilla, Palmer, and the rest of the Matanuska Valley to create special needs plans tailored to Alaska law and each family's unique circumstances. Whether you are planning years ahead or responding to a recent diagnosis or life change, we can help you build a plan for the future.

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Ready to Protect Your Loved One's Future?

Thoughtful special needs planning can help provide financial security, preserve valuable benefits, and create peace of mind for your entire family. You do not need to know exactly what type of planning you need before reaching out—we will help you understand your options and create a plan that works for your family.