Special Needs Trust Planning Attorney Serving The Metropolitan Kansas City Area For Over 25 Years
Last updated on March 13, 2026
A special needs trust can hold assets for a person with physical or mental disabilities without disqualifying them from public assistance. At the Wehage-Zickwolf Law Firm, LLC, we help families in Harrisonville, the Metropolitan Kansas City area and across Missouri create and manage special needs trusts.
We understand how medical crises and long-term care needs impact a household. Our attorney, Annie Wehage-Zickwolf, is a former health care executive. She has seen the strengths and weaknesses of certain special needs trusts from the other side of the table. At our firm, she provides the calm guidance you need to keep your loved one supported and secure for the rest of their life.
How Does A Special Needs Trust Work?
Programs such as SSI and Medicaid have asset limits. If you leave an inheritance to a beneficiary, they may lose their health care coverage and monthly income. A special needs trust solves this problem. So, how will a special needs trust affect Medicaid or SSI benefits? Since the trust owns the assets rather than the individual, the funds do not count toward eligibility limits. This type of estate and trust planning for disabled beneficiaries provides a higher quality of life while preserving their public benefits. Our trusts lawyer focuses on Medicaid eligibility planning so your gift enhances your child’s life rather than creating a financial hurdle.
What If My Child Receives An Inheritance Without A Special Needs Trust?
If you leave money directly to a person with a disability, the government views it as a disqualifying asset. Your loved one might have to spend down the entire inheritance on basic medical care until they are poor enough to qualify for benefits again. Without a special needs trust for a disabled child, the state may also seek reimbursement from the estate for past care costs.
Who Manages A Special Needs Trust?
An individual or entity called a trustee oversees the funds and make distributions for the beneficiary. The trustee makes sure that the trust assets pay only for items that Medicaid or SSI do not cover, such as therapy, education or personal comforts. We work with you to select a trustee who shares your commitment to your family member’s well-being.
Create A Foundation Of Stability: Contact A Missouri Trust Attorney
The Wehage-Zickwolf Law Firm, LLC offers practical solutions to create a secure future for your loved one. Our special needs trust attorney can build a comprehensive strategy that offers lasting peace of mind. To schedule your initial consultation with us, please call 816-368-1543 or send us an email.