A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is one option a person may consider to protect their assets from Medicaid and nursing homes or long-term care. 

A MAPT is an irrevocable trust created during your lifetime. The primary goal of a MAPT is to transfer assets to it so that Medicaid will not count these assets toward your resource limit when determining whether you qualify for Medicaid benefits. 

However, creating an irrevocable trust comes with a certain lack of control over the assets you transfer to this trust. Before making such a significant decision, consider some pros and cons to see if this long-term care strategy is right for you. 

Benefits of a MAPT 

1. You Can Still Benefit From the Assets of a MAPT 

Although transfers of assets to a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust cause you to relinquish your ownership and control of them, the finality of the arrangement is not as harsh as it sounds. 
 
In creating a MAPT, you select a person (trustee) who manages the trust assets for your benefit. So, if you transfer investment accounts to the MAPT, you can still receive the income generated from these investments. If you transfer your home, you can still live there. In exchange for giving up control of your assets to a MAPT, your assets no longer count against you for Medicaid eligibility purposes. 

2. Your Assets Are Safe From Medicaid and Other Long-Term Care Creditors 

Once your assets are in a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust and other criteria are met, Medicaid can’t seize them or ask you to spend them down to pay for your nursing home or long-term care costs. These assets also are not subject to Medicaid’s estate recovery program. 

As a result, your heirs can benefit from the assets without the interference of Medicaid or liens it could otherwise file against your estate after you pass. 

3. You Can Choose Your Beneficiaries 

A MAPT also functions as an estate planning tool. This is because you can designate who receives what remains of the trust upon your passing. The beneficiaries you choose will receive the assets per the terms of the trust agreement, and the chances of a probate court getting involved are diminished. 

In addition, you may be able to retain what is called a “limited power of appointment.” This allows you to change who the beneficiaries of the MAPT will be, should your wishes or family circumstances change. 

4. Assets Are Protected From Your Beneficiaries’ Creditors 

Even though you can designate a MAPT’s beneficiaries now, those beneficiaries do not have full access to the trust’s assets because of how it is structured. This also means their creditors do not have access to it. And, if your child is a beneficiary and is going through a messy divorce, neither does their spouse. You can also designate how bequests to beneficiaries can be used. 

5. Protection From Capital Gains Taxes 

A properly drafted Medicaid Asset Protection Trust preserves the full capital gains tax exclusion on the primary residence (currently $250,000 per spouse). Later, when a person’s beneficiaries sell the home, it would be valued at the market price at the date of gifting and not at the original purchase price. This can avoid or significantly minimize the capital gains tax that your heirs may owe. 

Drawbacks of MAPTS 

1. Timing Is Everything 

For a MAPT to function as intended, it needs to be created in advance to avoid the Medicaid lookback period. In most states, this is five years for nursing home or institutional care. In some states, there may also be a lookback period for community Medicaid care (home aides, local programs, etc.). 

If less than five years have elapsed since you created your MAPT, you may still be responsible for some or all of your long-term care costs until sufficient time has passed. 

2. Income From MAPT Is Countable by Medicaid 

Although assets in a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust may not be “countable” by Medicaid toward your resource limit, these assets may still generate income. If this income is payable to you, it may cause you to exceed the income limit permitted in your state. 

If this happens to you, you may have other options, such as utilizing a pooled income trust, or may decide you will contribute partially toward your care. 

3. Giving Up Control Is Non-Negotiable 

A trust will not qualify as a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust if you retain control other than the limited power of appointment that may be permitted in your situation. You must accept that a person you select to act as trustee will manage the trust, distribute funds and income from the trust, and also be the effective owner of the assets. 

In addition, creating a MAPT but not transferring assets to it is ineffective. You need to fully commit to the concept for it to benefit you. 

4. Setting Up a MAPT Is Costly 

Creating and implementing a Medicaid Asset Protection is a complex legal task requiring many hours of work and expenditures made on your behalf. In addition, because MAPTs are tied to individual state and federal laws, the expertise of a qualified Medicaid attorney is essential. 

You should expect that this expertise comes at the cost of several thousand dollars or more. However, your potential savings could be exponentially greater for you and your family. For this reason, the price is often well worth it. 

5. Potential Effects on Care 

It’s important to realize that while the MAPT strategy is designed to preserve assets and wealth, it assumes that a person will rely on Medicaid to pay for a portion of their care. However, Medicaid does not cover all facilities. For example, many assisted living facilities are not licensed as assisted living programs and only accept private pay residents. Thus, relying on Medicaid could affect the choice and quality of care a person may receive. 

The pros and cons discussed above are not exhaustive, and there may be other ones that apply to your situation. Investing in a MAPT is a highly fact-specific process, and MAPTs are not suitable for everyone. 

You should speak with your senior elder law attorney at Elville and Associates to discuss how a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust may affect other benefits you receive, your overall estate plan, its tax consequences, and whether it is right for you. 

To speak with Senior Principal and senior elder law attorney Lindsay V.R. Moss, please click here or call 443-393-7696 x114.  Or, to speak with Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen R. Elville please click here or call 443-393-7696 x108.   

We look forward to being a resource to you and appreciate your interest in Elville and Associates.  

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While a guardian can support the protected person by making important decisions, in some cases, an individual may wish to change or dissolve the arrangement. 

The ward, their family, or other involved people might feel that the guardian is not doing a good job. They may then petition the court for the removal of the guardian, replacing them with another person. 

In other cases, they might think guardianship is no longer appropriate. For instance, if the ward regains the ability to make personal or financial decisions, the guardian’s role may become obsolete. In some cases, the protected person or another individual asserts that guardianship was never needed. A less restrictive option, such as supported decision-making, could be a better fit.

Ending guardianship of an adult requires the court’s involvement. Ultimately, the court decides whether to replace the guardian or disband the guardianship completely, restoring the rights of the person subject to the arrangement. 

Reasons for Removing a Guardian 

The court can end the guardianship of an adult for several reasons. 

• When guardians fail to perform their duties, the court can expel them. For instance, state laws require that guardians file annual reports with the court, describing the protected person’s condition, living situation, and regular activities, and summarizing the guardian’s contact with the ward. When guardians fail to inform the court on a regular basis, the court can remove them. 
• The court can also remove guardians who act improperly, such as those who abuse the individuals under their care. The state can also charge them with a crime when there is evidence of abuse.
• Other grounds for removal include misusing the ward’s income and assets, commingling funds, and failing to manage the protected person’s estate appropriately.
• Disputes between guardians and those they protect are common. In some cases, the guardian and the ward might mutually agree that another person would better fit the role. Voluntarily, the guardian might agree to step down. 

Petitioning the Court

To request the removal of a guardian, the ward, the guardian, or a person affected by the guardianship can petition the court. Then, the court will hold a hearing and issue a decision. 

When the court replaces a ward’s guardian, it maintains that the individual under the guardianship still cannot make personal or financial decisions independently and needs the protection of a responsible person. 

In contrast, the court ends the guardianship of the adult altogether when it finds that the ward can make independent choices. 

Ending the Guardianship 

The court ends the guardianship of an adult when it finds that the person no longer needs a guardian because of a change in circumstances. 

For example, the court might find that a person who does not have an active power of attorney for health care needs a guardian when the person becomes incapacitated due to a severe illness. If an individual becomes unconscious or cannot communicate for an extended period, a trusted person might need to make medical decisions and handle money on the incapacitated person’s behalf. When the ward’s health improves such that they can express their wishes, assistance with decisions is no longer necessary. 

In other instances, courts end guardianships by finding that the control was never appropriate. Sometimes, individuals feel that a court’s initial decision to order guardianship was wrong and challenge it. They can file a petition for termination with the court that oversees the case. Following a hearing, the court decides whether to terminate the guardianship, change its terms, or maintain the arrangement. 

To learn more about ending guardianship of an adult or removing a guardian, be sure to speak to the elder law attorneys at Elville and Associates.  They will listen to your situation and understand your needs, answer your questions and help you create the bests path forward in the best way possible.  You can reach out to us here or by contacting Senior Principal Lindsay V.R. Moss here or Managing Principal Stephen R. Elville here.

We look forward to being a resource to you and appreciate your interest in Elville and Associates. 

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In installment 14 of the Elville Webinar Series’ Wellness Series, we will celebrate your highlights of 2022 and explore the many ways to incorporate gratitude into daily life. Consider how this can help your mindset, the stress and anxiety you feel, your sleep, your outlook, and your overall health. Let’s wrap up 2022 on a high note!

Featuring nationally renowned speakers Ms. Ellen Platt, a certified Aging LifeCare Manager and President of The Option Group, and Dr. Michelle Fritsch, a board certified, doctoral trained health professional and founder of Retirement Wellness Strategies, this presentation is one you will not want to miss!

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

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By: Shannon K. Mumaw – Associate Attorney

One of the first questions people ask when they discover they have been appointed as the personal representative under a loved one’s Last Will and Testament or as the trustee under a Trust is – “What do I have to do?”

Serving as a personal representative or trustee can be rather daunting at times, but the important thing to remember is that your loved one chose you to fulfill that role for a reason. Broadly speaking, a Personal Representative and a Trustee are one and the same – a fiduciary. He or she has a general duty to distribute the decedent’s estate in accordance with the terms of the will or trust and 

in accordance with applicable law. He or she is entrusted with wrapping up the decedent’s final affairs and carrying out the decedent’s final wishes.  So, what does all this really mean? As all attorneys love to say – “it depends.” The specific duties will depend on several factors such as the type of assets in the decedent’s estate, the beneficiaries and the family dynamic amongst those beneficiaries, and the individually tailored terms of the will or trust. Each estate is unique, and no two estates are exactly alike – one could say an estate is like a snowflake in this regard.

For example, serving as personal representative or trustee may include assisting with the funeral arrangements and payment thereof; collaborating with financial advisors to liquidate or retitle assets while assessing any tax implications that may result; selling or retitling real property; sorting through tangible personal property to ensure its proper distribution; and ensuring that all proper tax returns are filed and any applicable taxes are paid. The duties of the personal representative or trustee can vary drastically and will depend on the nature of the assets.

However, there are certain legal requirements that someone serving as a personal representative or trustee must fulfill regardless of the nature of the assets. He or she has a responsibility to notify all qualified beneficiaries that he or she has been appointed as the personal representative and/or trustee and that said beneficiary has certain legal rights. This is done either through the Register of Wills for a will, or directly by the trustee or their attorney for a trust.

A person serving as personal representative and/or trustee may also bear the responsibility of publishing a notice to creditors and facilitating the payment of any valid claims. The fiduciary does not incur any personal liability for the payment of the decedent’s debts, but they do have the responsibility to fairly consider the interests of all creditors and use the decedent’s assets to facilitate the settlement of any creditor’s claims that are brought to their attention in a timely manner.

The person serving as a personal representative and/or trustee may be required to produce a full accounting of all the decedent’s assets and any expenses incurred throughout the entire administration. Additionally, depending on the total value of the decedent’s probate assets, there may be additional requirements to satisfy and report to the Register of Wills.  

It is important to recognize that a fiduciary not only has the responsibility of ensuring all administration requirements are fulfilled, but that they must do so with a certain standard of care. A fiduciary must exercise their duties with the care, skill, and due diligence of a reasonably prudent person dealing with his or her own property. They must exercise good faith and loyalty to all beneficiaries, and not engage in self-dealing. Such standard of care also includes the maintenance of full and accurate records throughout the entirety of the administration process.

Serving as a personal representative and/or trustee is not an easy job. As a fiduciary, you are held to a high standard and are expected to take on an extensive number of tasks. Although it is a great honor to be the one selected for such a role, it does not come without great responsibility. As such, if you find yourself inheriting the responsibility of a personal representative and/or trustee, I highly recommend seeking legal representation to assist and guide you through the administration process.

Shannon K. Mumaw is an Associate Attorney with Elville and Associates and the leader of the firm’s busy Estate and Trust Administration Department. Through her guidance, she partners with clients as they address the sometimes complex matters of the administration of loved ones’ estates from start to finish, including helping navigate the probate process, inventory and information reports, accountings, and much more. Shannon may be reached at smumaw@elvilleassociates.com, or by phone at 443-393-7696 x116.

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By: Renee Q. Boyd – Associate Attorney

Oftentimes when I meet with clients to discuss their estate planning needs or to review their documents, I am asked “If we move to another state, will our documents be valid in the new state?”. 

Generally, the answer is yes.  It is likely that you won’t need to execute new documents when you move; however, it is a good idea to have the documents reviewed when you move to ensure they conform with the state laws of the new state to which you have moved.  States have different laws that govern estate planning and these state-specific estate planning laws can have an impact on your documents.  Therefore, we recommend you have your documents reviewed to determine if any updates are required.

Last Will and Testament

Every state has different requirements for the execution of wills but the good news is that most states will accept out-of-state wills if they were properly executed under the laws of the state when they were created. The probate courts of most states will recognize a will executed in a different state, as long as it was validly executed.  That said, however, it is quite possible that some rules in the new state can differ from those in the old state.

For instance, state laws can vary on the number of witness signatures needed on a will, and whether or not those signatures need to be notarized.  Another issue is the “proving” of the will, which is a sworn statement signed by the maker of the will and the witnesses that attests to the validity of the will.  In some states, probate courts will accept the sworn statement as evidence that the will is valid.  However, not all states allow for self-proving wills.  States also differ regarding which types of wills are valid.  Some states will allow self-written wills but have state-specific rules about how the wills must be written.  

Another consideration involves the Personal Representative or Executor who is named to administer the will.  While most states allow out-of-state personal representatives to serve, they may have requirements for them to be able to serve, such as posting a bond.  Some states put limitations on who can serve as the Personal Representative, for instance only someone related to you by blood or marriage, and many states require that an out-of-state Personal Representative appoint an in-state agent to accept legal documents for the estate.

Revocable Living Trusts

Trusts are governed by contract law, so a revocable living trust, because it is considered to be a contract, is afforded respect by the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution.  This makes the revocable living trust portable which means you can move to another state and it should be valid there.  The main consideration with a revocable living trust is that it is funded with the assets you want to pass to your beneficiary(s).  When you move to the new state, if you purchase a home there, you will want to make sure to assign the new property to your revocable living trust and that the deed to the property is drafted accordingly.

Advance Medical Directives

Advance medical directives, also known as living wills or health care proxies, are usually valid across state lines.  Some states have laws that require health care providers to honor legal documents regarding health care wishes if they were executed out of state, however, not all states have provisions that address validity of documents executed out-of-state. This makes it difficult to be sure if the out-of-state advance directive will be honored in the new state.  Because each state has its own provisions and forms, it is recommended that you have an attorney in the new state review the advance directive to ensure its validity.

Powers of Attorney

Similar to advance directives, each state has its own laws that govern granting someone Power of Attorney.  The various states also have their own forms.  Generally, a power of attorney that is valid when and where you sign it will remain valid even if you move to another state.  Although you may not need a new power of attorney just because you have moved, it is a good idea to have it reviewed by an attorney in the new state to make sure that the nuances of the new state’s laws are addressed.

Summary

In summary, your estate planning documents should be valid in the new state if they were properly executed according to all the required provisions of your former state.  But because the laws of each state are different, it is advisable that you have your documents reviewed, and possibly updated, by an attorney who is familiar with the new state’s estate planning laws.  If you intend to permanently remain in the new state, we recommend that you work with the attorney there to prepare new advance medical directive and power of attorney documents.  Also, if a revocable living trust is part of your estate plan, and particularly if you purchase real property in the new state, we recommend having the situs and state law updated in the trust for state income tax purposes.

Renee Q. Boyd is an Associate Attorney with Elville and Associates and a key member of the firm’s busy Estate Planning Department. She partners with clients to educate them and provide them a perfect client experience through the entire estate planning process – along with future maintenance and updating of their planning as changes occur in the laws and their lives. Renee may be reached at renee@elvilleassociates.com, or by phone at 443-393-7696 x111.

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“Elder Law attorneys are not just lawyers, they are counselors.”

Elder Law encompasses many concepts – planning for individuals and families who do not have taxable estates, but who are primarily concerned about the protection of their assets and addressing disability and long-term care issues. Elder Law also encompasses the following: Medical Assistance (Medicaid), long-term care planning, asset protection, nursing home and assisted living selection and placement, special needs planning, guardianship, Social Security issues, Veterans Benefits, senior housing issues, powers of attorney, advance medical directives, wills, trusts, and more.

Join Elville and Associates’ Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen Elville as he leads you through this webinar discussion to learn why an Elder Law consultation is an integral part of the planning process. Attendees will learn:

what is involved in an Elder Law consultation?

why does an Elder Law consultation serve as a basis for change?

what do clients want to know and what do they learn in an Elder Law consultation?

what important Elder Law concepts and new laws are attorneys advising clients about in 2022?

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

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Supported Decision Making (SDM) involves persons with disabilities being able to make their own decisions to whatever extent they can, provided they have enough support to do so. While Maryland’s Supported Decision Making law went into effect on October 1st, SDM is now law in nearly half of the U.S. Supported Decision Making represents a huge breakthrough for persons with disabilities, as it does not take away their rights of self-determination; rather, it allows them to appoint a supported decision maker, even if they are under guardianship. In this powerful webinar presentation, Elville and Associates’ Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen Elville explores Supported Decision Making and its possibilities for families and their loved ones with disabilities.

Topics for discussion include:

– Understanding Supported Decision Making (SDM) – what is it and what is its purpose?

– New Maryland SDM Legislation – effective October 1, 2022

– What is the promise of SDM in Maryland?

– What SDM is not – and what is SDM’s relationship to powers of attorney, advance medical directives, and guardianship?

– How SDM works, and how if can benefit persons living with brain injury

– A review of New Maryland Legislation – effective October 1, 2022

– A review of various SDM agreements (D.C., Delaware, Indiana, Alaska)

– Next Steps

– Questions and Answers

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

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The 2020 Presidential Election is just days away. Former Vice President Joe Biden has said that the estate, gift, and GST tax exemption could be set as low as $3.5 million per individual, while the gift tax exemption could be set as low as $1 million. Candidate Biden has also discussed an increase in the estate/gift tax rate to somewhere in the 45% to 65% range. Biden has also proposed the possible elimination of the income tax basis step-up at death. But regardless of who prevails at the polls, President Trump or Vice President Biden, the potential for tax related changes and wholesale shifts in tax policy is significant (COVID -19 related economic loss, social unrest, potential our shifts in Congress, and more). In this one-hour workshop, Steve Elville will lead a discussion outlining end-of-year strategies and points of concern for clients in the coming year.

Topics will include:

– Identifying the possibilities for tax change

– How will potential tax changes affect clients?

– What strategies are available to clients?

– Should clients engage in end of year exemption planning?

– How will potential tax changes affect estate planning documents?

– Next steps and available resources

– Questions and answers

 

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

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November marks National Family Caregivers Month. Today, roughly 3 million children reside with grandparents who have committed to being their primary caregivers, according to Pew Research Center estimates.

Grandparents may step in when the child’s parents can no longer take care of the child, when the parents pass away, or when a court takes away their parental rights. Without grandparents assuming responsibility, the state might have placed these children with foster families who are not related to the children. When grandparents become the guardians of their grandchildren, children can preserve familial ties, remaining connected to their biological families.

Although caring for a grandchild is rewarding, it can also be challenging, particularly when it comes to finances. Grandparents who are retirees with a decreased income may face the challenge of balancing their grandchildren’s needs, such as clothing, with their own needs, such as medical care. They might even feel they must use their retirement savings to provide for their grandchildren. However, state and federal benefits programs, as well as other resources, are available to help “grandfamilies” facing financial difficulties.

Financial Resources

Several tools are available to support grandparent caregivers with monetary hardships associated with caregiving.

• BenefitsCheckUp — The National Council on Aging’s online resource, BenefitsCheckUp, can help older adults identify federal and state assistance programs for which they are qualified.
  
  Starting with their ZIP codes, users can enter personal information into the tool, and BenefitsCheckUp keeps the information they disclose private. After entering details, the resource generates a personalized Eligibility Results report, which reveals the benefits programs for which they can apply. The tool also identifies areas where program administrators might need more information to determine eligibility. The report can give older adults clarity about which programs they could apply for successfully as well as which programs fit their needs.
   
• TANF — The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides funding that states put toward financial assistance for low-income families for necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. The TANF program varies by state.
  
  In some states, childcare assistance is available in addition to financial support. To qualify for TANF, older adults must have minor children, be unemployed or underemployed, and have a low income. (TANF is also available to those who are pregnant and minors who are the head of their households.)
   
• InsureKidsNow.gov — As an online resource for families, InsureKidsNow.gov offers information about getting children low-cost or free health care. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) give free or inexpensive health care to minor children whose families meet state financial eligibility requirements.
  
  As a grandparent caregiver, you can use InsureKidsNow.gov to explore health insurance options for your grandchildren, including mental and behavioral health and dental care. The Dentist Locator, for instance, can help you find a local dentist who accepts Medicaid and CHIP. The website also has vaccination outreach resources.

Legal Support

In addition to financial constraints, caring for a grandchild can raise other concerns. Grandparents who are primary caregivers may have anxieties about their legal rights, especially when children are involved in the foster care system. Caregivers might also have particular questions and worries if a child has a disability or is diagnosed with a severe illness.

• Grandfamilies.org — An online information center, Grandfamilies.org supports families where grandparents are the main caregivers, providing facts about state and federal laws. The website has a searchable database of the regulations impacting “grandfamilies” — families with grandparents as immediate caregivers.
  
  The directory covers all states and includes information about children who are part of the foster care system. Grandfamilies.org’s Law and Policy Center offers information to help you understand and navigate the legal system. The website’s publications and topic library contain information about issues affecting families where grandparents are responsible for children, such as adoption and kinship foster care.
   
• Caregiver Action Network —As a digital library and chat center, Caregiver Action Network supplies information about caregiving and helps individuals connect with others facing similar situations.
  
  When you sign up for the Care Chat feature, you can communicate with other caregivers online, asking questions and posting messages and responses. The resource includes information about caring for children with disabilities and illnesses such as cancer. As part of its toolbox for caregivers, Caregiver Action Network also has a directory of financial and legal resources. You can also ask the Caregiver Help Desk questions and receive personalized responses.

This holiday season, if you are a grandparent who serves as a caregiver for a minor, or know someone who is a part of a “grandfamily,” consider connecting with your elder law attorney to learn more about resources available to you.  The elder law attorneys with Elville and Associates will work with you to understand your family situation and dynamics, answer your questions, offer guidance, and create a path forward and solutions to your situation, offering much needed peace of mind along the way.  Contact us here to learn more or schedule your initial consultation. 

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November marks National Family Caregivers month. Studies show that looking after those with special needs exacts a toll on caregivers. This holiday season, shift your focus and remember that you must take care of yourself if you want to continue caring for others.

As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you have been a caregiver for a loved one with special needs or chronic illness, ensure that you are healthy physically and mentally. Here are five tips that can help you prioritize self-care.

1. Know Your Limits. 

It is admirable that you are caring for a loved one with special needs, but you must keep your abilities and skill set in mind. Even if you are a health care worker, you still may need to contact professional help in some situations. 

Create and maintain a good relationship with your loved one’s medical team, and do not hesitate to contact their doctor when something is beyond your ability.

2. Try to Avoid Burnout.

The subject of burnout usually centers on stressful jobs that essentially cause workers to lose themselves in their work. Caregivers also face the risk of experiencing burnout, and the chances of burnout may be greater because some caregivers do not think they can stop working.

Burnout is mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, which can come about for many reasons. Causes of burnout include:

• Trying to live up to unrealistic expectations, whether they are your expectations or those of family or friends.
• The inability to control your loved one’s condition, particularly if their condition worsens over time.
• Feeling unable to separate your role as your loved one’s spouse, partner, parent, child, or friend from the role of their caregiver. Setting boundaries is an essential part of making this distinction.

3. Lean Into Your Support System.

Part of caring for yourself is learning to delegate responsibility. It is impossible to do everything alone and maintain good mental health. If you have family members willing to take on some of the work and responsibilities of caring for a loved one with special needs, let them!

Similarly, make an effort to express your concerns and anxieties to your family and friends. Caring for a loved one with special needs is very stressful, no matter how rewarding in some respects. Remember that you are only human; it is OK to need a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and someone else to take charge for a while.

4. Create a Support System If You Don’t Have One.

If you do not have family support, create a support team by reaching out to other caregivers for loved ones with special needs. Various resources are available to help you create a network to lean on when caring for a loved one with special needs becomes overwhelming. 

Among the online and in-person groups that provide emotional support, offer tips about caring for a loved one with special needs, and can point you in the direction of community resources if you need help caring for your loved one are the following: 

• Different Dream
• Mommies of Miracles
• The Arc
• The Caregiver Action Network 

5. Plan for the Future.

You cannot hold the reins forever, and you know that there is a possibility that you will need to choose someone to act as your special needs loved one’s caregiver in the future. The thought probably causes anxiety and contributes to your overall stress level. To alleviate that anxiety, start planning. One way to plan for the future is by creating a Memorandum of Intent.

A Memorandum of Intent guides future caregivers so that they know how to care for your loved one with special needs properly. You can include any information you think will be helpful for them, including a list of your loved one’s medications as well as their likes and dislikes, contact information for health care providers, their schedule of daily activities, and so on.

Take Care of Yourself This Holiday Season

This holiday season, remember that your loved ones are thankful for your care and attention. You owe it to yourself to be easier on yourself. Let your time with your family and loved ones remind you that you are not in this alone and you do not need to do everything on your own. Fill your cup with those around you, and you will see that you can better care for your loved one with special needs.

Stephen Elville, Managing Principal and Lead Attorney at Elville and Associates can work with you to devise a strategy that works best for your family and your loved one with special needs.  As an experienced special needs planner and someone passionate about helping individuals and families with loved ones with special needs, Mr. Elville guides families and individuals through all matters related to caring for loved ones with special needs, including the planning process through client education, counseling, and leading-edge legal-technical knowledge, creating solutions to their needs and peace of mind along the way.  Contact Mr. Elville here or reach out to his Executive Assistant, Mary Guay Kramer, at 443-741-3635 or at mary@elvilleassociates.com to schedule a free initial consultation today.  

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