Everything you need to protect your child’s benefits — calculators, checklists, guides, and tools. All free, all based on my 15+ years of experience.
🧮 Interactive Tools
ABLE vs SNT Calculator
Answer 4 questions to get a personalized recommendation on whether you need an ABLE account, Special Needs Trust, or both.
🧮 Do You Need a Special Needs Trust, ABLE Account, or Both?
Answer a few quick questions to get a personalized recommendation for your state.
📋 Downloadable Checklists
📋 Free your state Special Needs Planning Checklist
Get our comprehensive checklist covering Special Needs Trusts, ABLE accounts, benefit protection, and estate planning — customized for your state rules.
What’s included:
- ✓ your state-specific Special Needs Trust requirements
- ✓ ABLE account setup steps
- ✓ Documents to gather before meeting an attorney
- ✓ Benefit protection red flags
- ✓ Questions to ask your attorney
- ✓ Annual review checklist
📧 Get the free PDF checklist:
No spam. Just the checklist + occasional updates when your state rules change.
📚 Essential Guides
ABLE vs SNT: Complete Guide
Understand when to use each, how they work together, and the mistakes to avoid.
State-by-State Rules
Find specific rules, ABLE programs, and attorney recommendations for your state.
Find an Attorney
Get connected with verified special needs planning attorneys in your state.
📖 Key Terms Glossary
First-Party SNT (d4A Trust): Funded with the disabled person’s own money (inheritance, lawsuit). Requires Medicaid payback at death.
Third-Party SNT: Funded with someone else’s money (parents, grandparents). NO Medicaid payback — funds can go to other family members.
Pooled Trust (d4C): Managed by a nonprofit. Good for smaller amounts or when no family trustee is available.
ABLE Account: Tax-advantaged savings account for disability expenses. $19,000/year limit. Money in ABLE doesn’t count for SSI (up to $100K).
Sole Benefit Rule: Some states require that every SNT dollar benefit ONLY the disabled person — no family trips, no gifts to others.
Medicaid Payback: When a first-party SNT ends, Medicaid can claim reimbursement for care they provided. Third-party SNTs avoid this.
🔗 External Resources
- Social Security Administration – SSI Program
- Medicaid.gov – Official Information
- ABLE National Resource Center
- Special Needs Alliance – Find an Attorney
Resources updated December 2025.