Guest guest Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 Hi Diane. Yes obtaining legal advice is expensive but drafting an estate plan is not a $4 to $5000 expense as you indicate. My firm's fee for a simple estate plan that consists of a will, a special needs trust and power of attorney for health care and property is approximately half of the price you quoted. Many families pay me in small monthly payments and I do not charge interest for those who cannot afford to pay their bill in full. I felt the need to respond as others may not go forward thinking the cost is higher than it is. Terrie Varnet Sent from my iPhone On Mar 13, 2011, at 11:20 PM, " swedegrl2005 " <swedegrl@...> wrote: > Hi all. And please Terrie, dont be offended, and actually this is not directed at you. But I feel I need to be honest and say that I have had many conversations with many IPPAD members, as off list conversation., that there are memebers who cannot afford to pay $4 to $5k to get special needs legal documents written. What are we supposed to do? And many of us have made other arrangements to get these needs accomplished but then have further questions because we were not financially able to pay for the BMW of services, and so are left with other related questions that are just really simple to the folfs who do have tis knowledge. I know in my case I have had to as well, hire a family law/ divorce attorney too. So I had to go the more budget conscious rounte for my eagal work. However after that I am left with some really simple questions, that I just cannot seem to get answered here. I cant afford to pay for something that I just dont have money for, whether I feel bad about it or not. > > What are the options for folks in my shoes and others who dont have divorce issues but still cannot afford the average price tag of legal work that we need to get our adult children's affairs in order? Everyone warns, but what are the alternatives then? > > None of us are asking for trusts, and legal documents to be prepared for free at all, however I feel we ask questions that others on site have answers to that just wont give them. I thought that this site was all about getting answers to alot of things but even those types of questions. I could be wrong. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Everyones talents lie in different areas, and what seems obvious to some, is not so obvious to others. Like I know I have asked very basic questions in th recent past, ie: about something that should be simple about what bank accounts to set up for child support that was ordered into the irrevocable trust- who's names go on the checking account- really whose names on it r/t guardianship and then non guardianship, and in what fashion- rep payee?? I have heard that term but really dont know what it is...I really dont feel I am asking stuff that puts anyone out a lot. > > I'm sorry this probably will offend some here, and that really honestly is NOT my intention at all. But I am frustrated and just want to protect my son and family, I'm not looking for a hand out, just honest experience family to inexperienced family help. After all we are all here voluntarily, and most are parents as well. For those who have walked before us, why not just help others in this type forum w/o expecting something in return? Again, this is an information gathering site is it not? It's for our kids here really, it is. > > Diane S > > > > > > I have not heard of them. Families need to be careful of software programs for > > Special needs trusts. This isn't an area where you can take a sample document > > and fill in the blanks. So much depends on the assets involved, the parents > > resources, the type of benefits the person is receiving, remaindermen issues, > > estate tax issues , etc....... > > > > Terrie Varnet > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...> > > IPADDUnite > > Sent: Sat, March 12, 2011 5:54:42 PM > > Subject: Fw: question > > > > > > Has anyone heard of or used Zivic Solutions for special needs planning, trusts, > > social security issues? > > > > Thanks, > > Ellen > > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > > egskb@... > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 14, 2011 Report Share Posted March 14, 2011 There are " private " trusts that an attorney can make for you but there are also " pooled " trusts that are already set up in IL. They come with a trustee (you cannot be the trustee) and there is an ongoing fee. This is not an ideal situation for everyone but, sometimes, my clients use it in their documents until they can afford to do a " private " trust.  FYI ________________________________ From: swedegrl2005 <swedegrl@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Sun, March 13, 2011 10:20:50 PM Subject: Re: Fw: question  Hi all. And please Terrie, dont be offended, and actually this is not directed at you. But I feel I need to be honest and say that I have had many conversations with many IPPAD members, as off list conversation., that there are memebers who cannot afford to pay $4 to $5k to get special needs legal documents written. What are we supposed to do? And many of us have made other arrangements to get these needs accomplished but then have further questions because we were not financially able to pay for the BMW of services, and so are left with other related questions that are just really simple to the folfs who do have tis knowledge. I know in my case I have had to as well, hire a family law/ divorce attorney too. So I had to go the more budget conscious rounte for my eagal work. However after that I am left with some really simple questions, that I just cannot seem to get answered here. I cant afford to pay for something that I just dont have money for, whether I feel bad about it or not. What are the options for folks in my shoes and others who dont have divorce issues but still cannot afford the average price tag of legal work that we need to get our adult children's affairs in order? Everyone warns, but what are the alternatives then? None of us are asking for trusts, and legal documents to be prepared for free at all, however I feel we ask questions that others on site have answers to that just wont give them. I thought that this site was all about getting answers to alot of things but even those types of questions. I could be wrong. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Everyones talents lie in different areas, and what seems obvious to some, is not so obvious to others. Like I know I have asked very basic questions in th recent past, ie: about something that should be simple about what bank accounts to set up for child support that was ordered into the irrevocable trust- who's names go on the checking account- really whose names on it r/t guardianship and then non guardianship, and in what fashion- rep payee?? I have heard that term but really dont know what it is...I really dont feel I am asking stuff that puts anyone out a lot. I'm sorry this probably will offend some here, and that really honestly is NOT my intention at all. But I am frustrated and just want to protect my son and family, I'm not looking for a hand out, just honest experience family to inexperienced family help. After all we are all here voluntarily, and most are parents as well. For those who have walked before us, why not just help others in this type forum w/o expecting something in return? Again, this is an information gathering site is it not? It's for our kids here really, it is. Diane S > > I have not heard of them. Families need to be careful of software programs for > Special needs trusts. This isn't an area where you can take a sample document > and fill in the blanks. So much depends on the assets involved, the parents > resources, the type of benefits the person is receiving, remaindermen issues, > estate tax issues , etc....... > > Terrie Varnet > > > > > ________________________________ > From: ELLEN BRONFELD <egskb@...> > IPADDUnite > Sent: Sat, March 12, 2011 5:54:42 PM > Subject: Fw: question > > > Has anyone heard of or used Zivic Solutions for special needs planning, trusts, > > social security issues? > > Thanks, > Ellen > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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