This weeks “Back to School Checklist” is courtesy of Craig Marcott. Mr. Marcott is a Special Needs Consultant who helps parents make certain that their Special Needs Child has the opportunity to achieve his or her greatest potential. Craig was a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional for 22 years. He is also a professional speaker and offers educational workshops for parents as well as training workshops for professionals. Craig is guardian of his brother Scott, who has Down syndrome.
Mr. Marcott can be contacted at: (631) 286-1061. His email address is craig@craigmarcott.com. You can view his website at: www.craigmarcott.com
BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST
Summer’s over and it’s time to review where you are and determine what needs to be done to properly plan for your special needs child’s future. Here is a quick checklist to get you started.
•Have you addressed the issue of guardianship? If your child is 18 or older, you no longer have the legal right to make medical decisions for your child.
•Has your child has reached age 18? If so, have you applied for SSI and Medicaid? Medicaid is particularly important since it provides access to adult services. SSI provides income.
•Have you established proper Wills and Trusts?
•Have transition services been incorporated into your child’s IEP?
•Are your legal and financial documents coordinated?
•Have you prepared a Letter of Intent for your special needs child?
•Does your Executor/Executrix have a copy of the Letter of Intent?
•Is the Trust endowed with enough money to assure that distributions will not consume the principal throughout your child’s lifetime?
•Is all of your insurance in place and up-to-date, including life, health and income protection? If something were to happen to you or your spouse tomorrow, what would happen to your special needs child?
Please remember that if your child has turned 18, you no longer have the legal right to make medical decisions for him or her. If appropriate, you should apply for guardianship so that you can legally make any necessary medical decisions which may be required.
