Utah Special Needs Planning

I just returned from the national conference for Prader-Willi Syndrome.  I presented on legal planning for children with Prader-Willi Syndrome.  Often we as parents of a child with special needs take amazing care of our children by getting the right therapist and spending hours working with our children.  We go to numerous doctor appointments.  We get our Individual Education Plans (IEPs) just right and work hard at school to make sure our children are thriving.  However, we just don’t take the time to get the legal planning and documents in place to help our children in the event that we pass away before they do. I helped the families at the conference get their special needs trusts in place so their child would be protected.  As a side note, my two daughters volunteered at the conference.  They were exhausted after working with the children for 8 hours each day, but sure came to love them!

When my Kate was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome eight years ago, I was consumed with her medical needs and the fact that she would not have the kind of life I expected and hoped she would have.  Soon the routine of doctor visits, therapy, and worry settled in as our new normal.  I quit my job as an attorney and stayed home to care for her full time.  Soon, nagging fears soon arose about who would care for Kate when my husband and I no longer could.  Most parents, including me, put off getting our legal planning done because we are so overwhelmed with the care of our child and if it isn’t at the top of the list, it isn’t likely to get done.  Several years back I took care of our legal planning and have spent the last years learning how to help others do so as well.  Maybe now is your time to get it done!