Weddington Special Needs Trust Attorney

Assisting Clients With Special Needs Trust Matters in North Carolina

Caring for a child or adult with disabilities involves countless daily decisions, and the question that often lingers in the background is what will happen when you are no longer able to provide that care. Thoughtful legal planning can help protect your loved one’s benefits, outline future support, and bring real peace of mind. As a special needs attorney Weddington families turn to for guidance, Collins Family & Elder Law Group works to make this planning feel manageable and clear.

At our firm, we focus on both family law and elder law, so we understand how issues like child support, custody, estate planning, Medicaid, and guardianship often overlap for families with a loved one who has disabilities. We listen carefully, explain options in plain language, and help you take practical steps that fit your family’s reality, not a one-size-fits-all template. Our legal team brings over 350 years of combined experience serving families in North and South Carolina. 

Call us today at (704) 396-4011 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our special needs trust lawyer in Weddington.

Why Choose Us?

Choosing someone to help you plan for your loved one’s lifetime care is an intensely personal decision. Families in the Weddington area often want an attorney who understands both the emotional weight of these choices and the technical details of North Carolina law. At Collins Family & Elder Law Group, we approach special needs planning with that balance in mind.

Our attorneys handle a full range of family law and elder law matters, including divorce, custody, support, estate administration, Medicaid-related planning, and guardianships. This broad perspective matters because a special needs plan rarely exists in a vacuum. For example, child support orders, property division, or a parent’s later incapacity can all affect how a special needs trust or guardianship functions over time.

Within our team, Candace S. Faircloth is a North Carolina Board Certified Family Law Specialist, certified since 2020. Board certification reflects rigorous testing and peer review, and it helps our firm navigate complex family structures that may affect your planning. Shawna Collins has been licensed in North Carolina since 1995 and in South Carolina since 1999, and is peer-reviewed by Martindale-Hubbell. This long-standing licensure and peer recognition show a sustained commitment to families across our region.

Several of our attorneys, including Isla Tabrizi and Candace S. Faircloth, have been recognized multiple times by Rising Stars, Legal Elite, Super Lawyers, and other respected organizations. Jennifer Rodrigue has also received recurring honors and regional recognition for family law work. These awards do not guarantee results, but they do reflect dedication to clients and respect from fellow attorneys, which can be reassuring when you are selecting a special needs lawyer that Weddington families can feel comfortable working with over the long term.

What Special Needs Trusts Covers

Many parents and caregivers come to us knowing they need to do something, but are not sure what special needs planning really includes. In practical terms, it is a set of legal tools and decisions designed to support your loved one’s quality of life, protect public benefits when possible, and guide future caregivers and decision makers.

This type of trust, when properly structured under North Carolina and federal rules, can hold money or property for the benefit of a person with disabilities without it being counted in the same way as assets held directly in their name. Families may use such trusts to receive inheritances, life insurance proceeds, or gifts while aiming to maintain eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid, subject to each program’s rules.

Special needs planning also looks at how your will, beneficiary designations, and other estate planning documents interact with your loved one’s situation. Instead of leaving funds outright to a child who receives benefits, you might direct those assets into a trust for their benefit. For some families, tools like ABLE accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities, may play a role as well.

Decision-making authority is another central concern. In North Carolina, a child becomes a legal adult at 18. If your son or daughter is not able to manage medical or financial decisions independently, we can talk with you about options such as guardianship, powers of attorney, or supported decision making. Our attorneys routinely handle guardianship proceedings in North Carolina courts and can discuss what level of support may be appropriate based on your loved one’s abilities and needs.

Because we also work in estate administration and elder law, we are able to consider how your own future care and long-term planning might affect your loved one. This holistic view helps families in Weddington, NC create coordinated plans that address siblings, caregivers, and changing health circumstances over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start special needs planning for my child?

It is helpful to start planning once you have a clearer picture of your child’s long-term needs, and definitely before they turn 18. Many families in North Carolina begin when a significant diagnosis is confirmed, or a major life change occurs, and then revisit their plan as circumstances evolve.

Do I need guardianship when my child turns 18 in North Carolina?

Not every young adult with disabilities needs a full guardianship. We talk with you about your child’s abilities and explore options, which can include guardianship, limited guardianship, or other decision-making tools. Our attorneys regularly handle guardianship matters in North Carolina courts and can explain what to expect.

What should I bring to our first meeting?

Bringing any existing wills, powers of attorney, or trust documents is helpful, along with basic information about your loved one’s diagnosis, benefits, and daily support needs. A simple list of potential guardians or trustees and your main questions can also make our first conversation more productive.

Contact Our Weddington Special Needs Trust Lawyer Today

Thoughtful special needs planning can help protect your loved one’s public benefits, guide future caregivers, and reduce stress for the entire family. Working with an experienced legal team that understands both family law and elder law in North Carolina can make this process clearer and more manageable.

At Collins Family & Elder Law Group, our attorneys bring decades of combined experience, respected credentials, and a compassionate approach to every special needs planning matter. We offer flexible phone and video consultations so families in Weddington and the surrounding area can take the next step without adding unnecessary strain to their schedule. When you are ready to start or update your plan, we are here to guide you.

Contact us today to get started with our Weddington special needs trust attorney.