SPECIALIZED PLANNING
Special Needs Planning Attorney in San Antonio, TX
Protect your loved one’s future without risking the SSI and Medicaid benefits they depend on. Amanda Skeen builds special needs trusts and care plans for San Antonio families.
How We Protect Your Loved One
Searching for special needs attorneys in San Antonio? Skeen Law plans for every stage of your loved one’s life, as part of a complete estate plan.
Blended Family Estate Planning
Protect your spouse while making sure your children receive the inheritance you intend, with a clear plan.
Planning for Retirees
Protect a lifetime of savings and help your family avoid unnecessary court involvement and delays.
Real Estate Legacy Planning
Plan for investment properties, ranches, farms, and other real estate so your land stays in the family.
Planning for Adulthood
At 18, parents lose automatic legal authority. We plan the next step with powers of attorney or guardianship alternatives.
Updating Your Plan for Texas
New to Texas? We update your will, trust, and powers of attorney so they remain valid and work under Texas law.
Letter of Intent & Care Plan
Keep medical details, routines, and your wishes in writing for seniors or special needs loved ones so caregivers can step in.
One Wrong Step Can Cost Your Loved One Their Benefits
Caring families make these mistakes every day. A special needs planning attorney helps you avoid every one of them.
Direct Inheritance
Money left outright can push your loved one over the $2,000 SSI limit.
Lost Medicaid Coverage
Losing SSI can also put Medicaid health coverage at risk.
Relatives' Gifts
Grandparents leave money directly, not knowing it can disqualify them.
Wrong Beneficiaries
Life insurance and retirement accounts name your loved one directly.
No Trustee Named
No one has clear authority to manage the money.
Turning 18 Unprepared
Parents lose authority to make medical and financial decisions.
Court-Picked Guardian
Without your choice in writing, a court decides who cares for them.
Siblings Left Guessing
No care plan means family members start from scratch.
Four Steps to a Secure Future
From your first question to a signed plan that protects your loved one.
Consultation
We learn about your loved one’s needs, current benefits, and your family’s goals.
Plan Design
We choose the right trust and documents for your situation.
Review Together
We explain every page in plain English, including how the trustee should spend funds.
Sign & Coordinate
We sign the documents and help you update beneficiary designations.
Peace of Mind, in Writing
A complete special needs plan your family can follow.
A Special Needs Trust Built for Texas
Drafted to protect eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other needs-based benefits.
Clear Trustee Instructions
Your trustee will know what the trust can pay for, and what to avoid.
Coordinated Beneficiaries
Life insurance, retirement accounts, and relatives' gifts point to the trust, not directly to your loved one.
A Lawyer Who Stays
Direct access to Amanda as benefit rules and your family change.
A Lawyer for Special Needs Families Who Knows Yours
Families comparing special need lawyers across San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country choose Skeen Law for focused, personal service.
Estate Planning Is All We Do
Special needs planning sits inside a practice focused only on estate planning and probate.
You Work With Amanda
No hand-offs. Amanda works with you from first meeting to final signature.
NAELA Member
Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section.
A Plan That Stays Current
Benefit rules change. We keep your trust and documents up to date.
Other Services
Special needs planning works best as part of a complete estate plan.
Buy-sell agreements and ownership transfer plans for your company.
Step-by-step guidance for families after a loved one passes.
Regular reviews and trust upkeep so your plan never falls behind.
READY TO PROTECT WHAT YOU'VE BUILT?
Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward a plan built for your business, your property, and the people who depend on you.
FAQs
What does a special needs planning attorney do?
A special needs planning attorney creates trusts and legal documents that provide for a loved one with a disability without risking needs-based benefits like SSI and Medicaid. The plan also names who will care for them and manage their money.
What is a special needs trust?
A special needs trust holds money for a person with a disability. The trustee uses it for extras that benefits don’t cover, such as therapy, education, equipment, and travel, so the money doesn’t count against eligibility.
Can I control how and when specific family members receive assets?
Yes. You can set terms for how and when certain assets are distributed — useful for young children, beneficiaries with special needs, or blended-family situations.
What happens if my plan doesn't address my family's specific situation?
Gaps in your plan can mean your assets aren’t distributed the way you intended, and your family may face added delays, costs, or disputes while sorting it out.
Is an ABLE account enough on its own?
An ABLE account is a great tool for everyday costs, and starting in 2026, people whose disability began before age 46 can open one. But ABLE accounts have contribution and balance limits, so most families use one alongside a special needs trust.
What happens when my child with special needs turns 18?
At 18, parents no longer have automatic legal authority. Depending on your child’s abilities, options include powers of attorney, a supported decision-making agreement, or guardianship. We help you plan before that birthday arrives.
Who should be the trustee of a special needs trust?
Choose someone organized, trustworthy, and willing to learn the benefit rules. Many families name a parent first, then a sibling, relative, or professional trustee as a backup.
When should we start special needs planning?
Now. A plan works best when it’s in place before a parent dies, a child turns 18, or an inheritance arrives. Schedule your consultation.