Special Needs Planning in Sonoma
A Coordinated Plan for Families with a Loved One Who Has a Disability
A single document rarely accomplishes what a family needs. Special needs planning works best when a special needs trust, trustee selection, CalABLE account strategy, and guardianship coordination are treated as connected parts of one plan rather than separate tasks to check off. That coordinated approach is how we work at Gullotta Law Group.
We’ve served individuals and families across Sonoma, Napa, Santa Rosa, and the surrounding area since 2016. Free consultations are available, and virtual appointments make it easy to start no matter where you are in Sonoma County.
Call us at (707) 379-7590 to schedule a free consultation and talk through your family’s circumstances.
How We Approach Special Needs Planning
Every family we work with has a different picture: different assets, different benefit arrangements, different relationships, and different concerns about what happens after they’re gone. We don’t apply a standard template. We take the time to understand each client’s situation and build a plan intended to hold up over the beneficiary’s lifetime, not just at signing.
We believe you should understand how your plan works, not just that it exists. We break down complex trust and benefit rules in plain terms, walk you through each decision, and work with you collaboratively so the final plan reflects your priorities. Our roots in Northern California mean we’re invested in the long-term well-being of the families we serve.
CalABLE Accounts as Part of Your Plan
California’s ABLE program, known as CalABLE, lets eligible individuals with disabilities save money in a tax-advantaged account without those savings counting against the SSI resource limit, as long as the account balance stays under $100,000. A person can save up to $529,000 in a CalABLE account without affecting Medi-Cal eligibility, and in most cases CalABLE accounts are also exempt from Medi-Cal estate recovery.
CalABLE funds can be spent on a wide range of qualified disability expenses, including:
- Health care costs such as doctor visits, therapy, assistive technology, and prescription medications
- Housing costs such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and home modifications
A CalABLE account isn’t a replacement for a special needs trust, but it can serve as a flexible complement, particularly for day-to-day expenses the beneficiary manages directly.
Selecting a Trustee for a Special Needs Trust
Trustee selection is one of the decisions families most often underestimate. A trustee must understand trust administration, know the benefit rules well enough to evaluate distribution requests, and have the emotional capacity to decline a request that would jeopardize eligibility, even when it comes from a parent or sibling who loves the beneficiary.
Family members aren’t always the right fit for that reason. Many families name a professional fiduciary or a corporate trustee, sometimes paired with a family member who understands the beneficiary’s daily needs but doesn’t control distributions. Whatever the arrangement, California law imposes the same duties on every trustee. Under Probate Code Section 16000, a trustee must administer the trust according to its terms. Under Probate Code Section 16004, a trustee can’t use trust property for personal benefit. We help families think through these trade-offs carefully before the plan is signed.
Stories That Speak
Trusted by Our Community, Proven Through Results
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Eric and Tina made updating our trust easy and efficient, answering all our questions and delivering timely results. Highly recommend for estate planning!- Alex B.
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My husband, Tim & I, after a deaths of family members, have gone through both a Probate and a Living Trust, we decided having a Living Trust was what we wanted. We didn't think twice about who we were going to have help us put our documents in order. E- Lucinda H.
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The whole staff is so nice and accommodating. They work well with each other. Sometimes the lawyer delegates to his assistant and she is a go between which I was apprehensive about in the beginning, but it was always smooth. Everything got done in a timely- Dolores S.
Rooted in Community, Driven by Integrity
Our Commitment to You
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Committed to Giving BackAs active and involved members of the Sonoma community, we are dedicated to making a positive impact, both professionally and personally, for the people we serve.
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Always Available for ClientsWe believe in making ourselves accessible to clients when they need us most. We are committed to providing responsive support throughout the entire probate process.
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Deep Roots in the CommunityBorn and raised in Sonoma, we are deeply familiar with the local community and its values, allowing us to provide a personalized, compassionate approach to every case.
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Expertise in Complex CasesWe have the knowledge and experience to handle even the most complex probate and estate matters, providing expert solutions tailored to your unique situation.
Starting or Updating a Special Needs Plan in Sonoma County
Whether you’re creating a plan for the first time or revisiting one that’s been in place for years, the process begins with a conversation. We offer free consultations to prospective clients so you can discuss your family’s circumstances and learn what planning options may apply to your situation before making any commitment. Virtual consultations are available if you’d prefer to meet remotely.
From there, we work with you to understand your goals, explain the options that fit, and help you make informed decisions at each step. The plan we develop reflects your family’s specific circumstances, not a standard form.
Contact Gullotta Law Group at (707) 379-7590 to schedule your free consultation. We serve families throughout Sonoma, Napa, Santa Rosa, and the surrounding area, with virtual appointments available.