Transcript:
My sister relies on disability benefits. How do I to protect her housing without losing them? I’m Jeremy Riggs, certified financial planner at Base Wealth Management. A client asked me that after a nerve-wracking night drive through the Rockies, no guard rails, blind curves, sheer drop offs, estate planning can feel the same way when you wait too long. So, we took it step by step. First, what are we trying to protect? Housing, basic expenses, and eligibility for benefits. That set the guard rules. Next, we compared some options. A simple living trust to streamline assets and avoid probate. A ladybird deed to keep the home out of probate while preserving control during your life.
And where benefits are at risk, a special needs trust so support can continue without disqualifying her from programs. If the market dropped 20% tomorrow, do you know what that could do to your portfolio and how you’d feel about it? If you’re not sure, click the link below to schedule a portfolio risk review. We’ll take a straightforward look at what you own and see if the amount of risk you’re taking still fits your timeline and goals. Now, back to the video.
With the objectives now clear, we mapped out ownership and beneficiary designations, coordinated with an attorney, and documented how future gifts or inheritance should flow not directly to her, but into the trust designed for her benefit. The result, housing protected, benefits intact, probate minimize. Proactive planning installs the guard rails before the curves show up. If you’re caring for a loved one on disability benefits, get the structure right now so help doesn’t accidentally hurt.
