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Michael Lonich

What Parents with a Disability Need to be Aware of in a Divorce

June 1, 2017/in Family Law /by Michael Lonich

Parenting while going through a divorce is hard, but also having a disability adds a new level of complexity that makes it is easy to feel overwhelmed and deflated. This is why it is so important to have a competent lawyer who will advocate for your parentage rights effectively and with care.

The thought of having parentage rights taken away will make any parent’s heart drop. But the chances of a disabled parent facing this nightmare is almost a guarantee. According to the National Council on Disabilities the removal rates of children from disabled parents are dispiriting. For children with psychiatric disabled parents the removal rates were between 70% and 80%; parents with intellectual disabilities were 80%; and parents with physical or sensory disabilities experienced high removal rates and loss of parental rights, as well.

If you are a disabled parent facing divorce or a child custody battle, it is important to find a lawyer who is sympathetic to your situation, who understands your condition, and will be effective in their advocacy for you. This is crucial because there are many unfortunate challenges a disabled parent can face in court.

Disabled parents may experience bias or speculation regarding best interest determinants. When dealing with a child, the court’s main objective is to produce a result that is in the child’s best interest; and a parent’s disability will be considered.

There is also a “no harm” requirement when determining a child’s best interest scenario, where the court factors the mental and physical health of all individuals involved to determine if there is a potential chance for harm to occur to the child. With this requirement, there is no obligation to show that the parent’s disability is actually causing, or will cause, any harm to the child or their environment. This can clearly disfavor any parent dealing with a disability.

If you are a parent who has a disability and is facing a divorce or custody battle, securing knowledgeable and effective counsel is imperative. There are a few key characteristics you should look for your future lawyer.

Of course, a knowledgeable lawyer in family law and child custody is a must, but you also want one who will focus on your parenting abilities and strengths. Your attorney needs to understand the specifics of your diagnosis in order to better advise and understand you. By being knowledgeable on your disability’s characteristics your lawyer will be more equipped to advocate on your parenting strengths and abilities. Finally, you want to find a lawyer who apprehends the benefits and pitfalls of various parental evaluations. Overall, your lawyer should give you assurance that your parental rights are protected and that you are given a fair opportunity to raise your child.

If you are considering a divorce or legal separation and would like more information about child custody and parental disability, please contact the experienced family law attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri.

Lastly, please remember that each individual situation is unique, and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results.  While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice.  Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

https://www.lpeplaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LPEP_PC.png 0 0 Michael Lonich https://www.lpeplaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LPEP_PC.png Michael Lonich2017-06-01 10:36:072017-06-01 10:36:07What Parents with a Disability Need to be Aware of in a Divorce
Michael Lonich

Special Needs Trusts: What Are They?

July 20, 2015/0 Comments/in Estate Planning /by Michael Lonich

Special Needs Trusts are imperative for beneficiaries who are disabled and receive some form of government benefits. The beneficiaries of Special Needs Trusts may be either a developmentally or physically disabled minor or adult.

A standard Family Trust may not be appropriate for a Special Needs person because they do not address the specific necessities of the disabled beneficiary, such as governmental programs and benefits. In California, a Special Needs Trust is generally an irrevocable trust that “gives the trustee discretion to supplement… whatever is provided by government programs to the trust’s beneficiary.” Most commonly, Special Needs Trusts allow for an individual with disabilities to benefit from funds in the trust without the funds counting as a financial asset and interfering with the government benefits that the beneficiary may be receiving. Even in rare cases where a beneficiary never needs Federal or State public benefits and services, Special Needs Trusts may still be a valuable tool and can be used as part of a comprehensive plan to meet the special life management needs of the beneficiary.

While the trustee of the Special Needs Trust cannot give money directly to the beneficiary (as it will interfere with eligibility for Medicaid, subsidized housing, Social Security Income and other government services), the trustee may spend the trust assets on a wide variety of goods and services for the benefit of the beneficiary. Typically, trust assets are used to pay for personal care attendants, vacations, physical rehabilitation, and recreation.

Concerned families and people with disabilities no longer need to worry about limited options regarding estate planning. In the past few years, there has been increasing public awareness of the estate planning options available for families with loved ones with disabilities. There has also been an increase in professional advisors who are able to render competent advice and provide their clients with numerous estate planning options, including Special Needs Trusts.

Estate planning is a highly complex area of law. If you are interested in creating a Special Needs Trust or have any questions regarding your current estate plan, please contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri for further information. The attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri have decades of experience handling complex estate planning matters, including Special Needs Trusts, and we are happy to offer you a free consultation. Please remember that each individual situation is unique and results discussed in this post are not a guarantee of future results.  While this post may detail general legal issues, it is not legal advice.  Use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Source: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/special-needs-trusts-30315.html

Source:.http://www2.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Find_Support/Legal_Support/Special_Needs_Estate_Planning/Special_Needs_Trust_Primer.htm

Source: Purpose of Special Needs Trust, 3 Cal. Transactions Forms- Est. Planning § 17:1 (2015)

Source:.http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/law_trends_news_practice_area_e_newsletter_home/0501_estate_financialplanning.html

https://www.lpeplaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LPEP_PC.png 0 0 Michael Lonich https://www.lpeplaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LPEP_PC.png Michael Lonich2015-07-20 09:23:112015-07-20 09:23:11Special Needs Trusts: What Are They?
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Located in San Jose, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri handles matters for clients in northern California, especially San Jose and Silicon Valley. Our services are available to anyone within the following counties: Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito. For a full listing of areas where we practice, please click here.

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