Special Needs Planning: Peace of Mind for Your Family
Professional guidance at no cost to you.
As a parent who has walked this path, I know that the most challenging part of special needs planning isn't just the paperwork—it's the weight of "what happens when I’m no longer here?" I approach this work not just as a professional, but as someone who understands the daily journey firsthand. My mission is to remove that burden, providing you with the clarity and structure you need to protect your child’s future. My commitment to this community keeps me grounded, including my volunteering at Calvary Church, where I see the experiences of other families navigating these unique journeys.
Who I help
I work with families across a broad spectrum of needs. Whether your child has been diagnosed with autism, an intellectual disability, or a developmental delay, I am here to help you navigate the specific complexities of their care. I specialize in building sustainable strategies for families at every stage—from those just receiving a diagnosis to those planning for the transition into adulthood. Schedule a free support session here to get your questions answered and start mapping out a path that works for your family.
Why is this consultation free?
I provide these services at no cost because I am a parent who believes every family deserves access to professional advocacy without financial strain. My goal is simple: to help you secure your child's future. My guidance is rooted in advocacy, not sales; while I may occasionally suggest specific tools or services to support your planning, there is never any obligation to purchase—my only priority is providing you with the clarity you need to protect your child’s future.
Need clarity on benefits? I have more details on Medicaid Waivers and Social Security in my Frequently Asked Questions to help you find answers faster.
What can I do now?
If you are just beginning your journey of planning for special needs, the very first thing you should do is to create a "letter of intent".  This document outlines everything that you and your child would want future caregivers to know. Please download the below template for an example.
This consultation is completely free and strictly informational. No cost, no obligation—just a conversation to see how to best protect your family’s future.
Planning Checklist
Beneficiary information (name, date of birth, gender, residence)
Letter of Intent
Inventory of assets in beneficiary's name
Guardian of the person and/or estate
Living trust
Special needs trust
Life insurance
Will
Government benefits (Social Security, Medicaid, SSI)
ABLE Account
Special Needs Attorneys
Medicaid Waiver Programs
Don't let this list overwhelm you. You don't have to tackle these all at once—that’s what our first conversation is for.
How to Protect Your Adult Child’s Full SSI Benefit
One of the most common questions families face is how to help a disabled adult child live at home without triggering a reduction in their Supplemental Security Income (SSI).  Under Social Security’s In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) rules, if your child lives in your home and does not pay their fair share of shelter costs, the SSA can view that "free rent" as unearned income and reduce their monthly benefit by up to one-third.
The Solution: To prevent this penalty and ensure your child receives their full benefit, you must establish a valid business arrangement by charging them "fair market rent" (or an amount matching their pro-rata share of household shelter expenses).
Pro-Rata Share vs. Flat Rent Rule: While the traditional Fair Share method requires dividing specific allowable shelter and utility costs pro-rata among all household members, the SSA's updated rental subsidy policy allows you to avoid In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) simply by establishing a valid business arrangement and charging an amount that meets or exceeds the Presumed Maximum Value threshold ($351.33 for 2026). Charging a fixed rent or a properly calculated pro-rata share both satisfy this requirement as long as it reflects a legitimate, binding agreement.
Tax Professional Consultation: Families should consult a qualified tax professional regarding how collected rent affects household income tax returns, reporting requirements, and any potential offsets for depreciation, home maintenance or shared household expenses.
The Role of the Calculator: The household expense calculator remains a practical tool for families to systematically document and justify the financial breakdown of shared living costs when establishing a formal rental agreement.
Handling Food and Annual Attestation: While food is excluded from core ISM calculations under current SSA rules, including food or structured household contributions within a comprehensive rental or board agreement can help align figures with the annual SSA attestation process—where Social Security reviews how benefits are allocated, used for the beneficiary's needs, or saved.