Special Needs Planning

Special Needs Attorney in Colorado Springs

Coordinate Trusts, Benefits, & Family Decisions in One Legal Plan

Planning for a loved one with a disability can raise connected questions about financial support, inheritance, decision-making authority, public benefits, and future care. At Drexler Law, we provide estate planning services for families who want to address these concerns without overlooking important documents or arrangements.

The appropriate approach depends on the beneficiary’s age, assets, benefits, family structure, disability-related circumstances, and anticipated support needs. We take time to understand those circumstances and explain the planning options that may apply.

Speak with our special needs lawyer in Colorado Springs about your family’s priorities. Call (719) 259-0050 to get started.

What a Coordinated Plan May Address

A trust may be central to the plan, but it shouldn’t be considered in isolation. Our services include wills, living wills, powers of attorney, trusts, disposition of remains documents, medical directives, and advance health care directives.

A broader planning review may address:

Trust arrangements: The funding source, beneficiary’s circumstances, trustee selection, and applicable public-benefit rules can affect the appropriate structure.
Estate documents: Wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations should reflect how assets intended for the beneficiary will be managed.
Decision-making authority: Powers of attorney, health care directives, guardianship, and guardianship alternatives may all warrant consideration.
Funding plans: Families may need to identify which assets could pass to a trust and review the designations on accounts, policies, and other property.
Administration: Trustee instructions, distribution standards, recordkeeping, and future document reviews are practical parts of an ongoing plan.

More Than 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience

Our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined legal experience, and multiple members of our team have earned 10.0 Superb Avvo ratings. Teresa Drexler has been licensed since 2008, while Matthew Drexler has been licensed since 2007. Since our founding in 2014, we have served Colorado Springs-area clients with individualized guidance and clear communication.

Our combined family law and estate planning perspective can be valuable when a plan involves caregivers, relatives, changing family relationships, or questions about who may act for a loved one. We approach each family’s circumstances individually rather than relying on a standard document package.

How Trust Options Fit Into a Larger Plan

A special needs trust is a legal arrangement used to hold and manage assets for a person with a disability. The source of those assets matters because public-benefit rules may treat each trust structure differently.

Common trust categories include:

Third-party trusts: These generally hold assets contributed by someone other than the beneficiary, such as a parent or grandparent.
First-party trusts: These hold the beneficiary’s own assets and may be subject to requirements involving age, disability, establishment authority, sole-benefit terms, and Medicaid repayment.
Pooled trusts: A nonprofit organization combines funds for investment and administrative purposes while maintaining a separate account for each beneficiary.

Trust selection is only one part of the analysis. A coordinated plan may also involve powers of attorney, health care directives, guardianship alternatives, beneficiary designations, and instructions for those who may manage assets or participate in care decisions.

Public Benefits & Trust Administration

Supplemental Security Income is a federal needs-based cash benefit, while Medicaid provides health coverage through federal and state programs. The treatment of trust assets and distributions can depend on the document terms, funding source, beneficiary’s circumstances, and applicable federal and Colorado requirements.

Colorado trust law may also be relevant when trust treatment could affect public-benefit eligibility. Because these rules are fact-specific, families shouldn’t assume that every trust or distribution will receive the same treatment.

Once a trust is created, administration may require records of distributions, expenses, trustee actions, and changes in the beneficiary’s circumstances. The trustee should understand the governing document and seek appropriate guidance when a proposed distribution raises eligibility or administrative questions.

When to Review the Plan

A plan may need attention after changes in family relationships, residence, assets, public benefits, medical needs, trustee availability, or legal capacity. Parents and caregivers may also need contingency plans that identify who can manage assets, make authorized decisions, and coordinate support if the current caregiver becomes unavailable.

Periodic reviews can compare current documents, trust funding, beneficiary designations, and trustee instructions with the family’s circumstances. They can also uncover outdated decision-making arrangements or documents that no longer reflect the intended plan.

Build a Plan Around Your Family’s Priorities

Contact us to discuss current public benefits, existing documents, assets intended for support, and decisions that may require further planning. We can review how these concerns fit together and identify which of our services may be relevant to your circumstances.

Before speaking with our team, gather any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, benefit information, beneficiary designations, and notes about future care or decision-making. These materials can make the initial discussion more focused and productive.

Call our special needs attorney in Colorado Springs at (719) 259-0050 to discuss your next steps.

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"Outstanding Representation!"
Matthew Drexler represented me during a difficult period of time in my life. He did an outstanding job understanding all of my issues, was very responsive, and gave me the best advice possible. Additionally, his staff was very helpful and the whole team worked together to make this a rather fairly pleasant experience for me. I couldn't have asked for better representation. I am very happy with the end result and I would highly recommend him to anyone who has made the decision to file for a divorce.

- Jason R.

Colorado Springs, CO
"They are very thorough, make every effort to be completely prepared, and tell you clearly what to expect."
Great law office! I would recommend anyone in Colorado springs who needs a divorce or family law lawyer to go here. Brian Melton was my attorney but Matt Drexler was involved as well. They are very thorough, make every effort to be completely prepared, and tell you clearly what to expect. Everyone I've worked with has been caring and supportive and it's obvious they understand their clients are going through difficult situations.

- Dan L.
"Everyone on the staff always treated us like family."
Mrs. Drexler was awesome! We had a tuff case, fighting for custody of our grandson after his mother's passing. Mrs. Drexler was very patient and understanding with me, knowing how nervous and confused at times I was. She was quick to respond to emails, no matter the importance! Matt and Caitlin Capo were also great! There was always someone available and willing to help. Everyone on the staff always treated us like family. The cost was definitely worth the knowledgeable and family oriented services we received! We would definitely recommend Drexler Law to anyone in need of a friendly knowledgeable Law firm! Thank you so much to everyone at Drexler Law, for everything you have done for me and my family! A+++++++++

- Michael M.

, CO
"I made the right decision in choosing Drexler Law Firm."
I had a fantastic experience with Drexler Law firm. A few years ago I had gone through a very rough period in my life, and voluntarily turned over my children to their mother for primary care while I hunted for jobs. However, I did not use an attorney, and wound up giving her complete custody, something I had not expected, and was told I would not get them back. After getting my job back, I researched law firms and saw that Drexler specialized in family law, child support, and custody issues. They were up-front with me on costs and chances of winning my children back. We won. I'm back with my children with fully joint custody, and we even avoided going to court. Having a knowledgeable law firm represent you is the only way to go when everything matters. During the legal back-and-forth process, it was easy to tell that the level of effort, experience, and skill on the part of Drexler was far above the opposing counsel. I made the right decision in choosing Drexler Law Firm.

- Mike
"“If you bungle raising your children, nothing else matters” - Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis"
I am currently going through a lot of tough situations and they are equal parts compassionate, empathetic, honest regarding expectations/expenses, and VERY quick to respond to any questions.

- Former Client

Colorado Springs, CO
"Matt and Teresa and their team are outstanding attorneys who went above and beyond to help my family."
Incredible professionalism and outstanding service. Matt and Teresa and their team are outstanding attorneys who went above and beyond to help my family. Thanks to them my family is whole and safe. If you want exceptional representation and attorneys you can count on, Matt and Teresa Drexler are just that.

Thank you again for all you have done for me and my family Matt and Teresa. You and your team are incredible.

- Tyler M.

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