Chicago, IL estate planning & probate attorney SJ Chapman talks about special needs trusts and how they are used when there is a windfall. She explains that many clients come to us who are inheriting a large sum of money, often for the first time in their lives. Many of these clients are already receiving government benefits such as Medicaid or SSI, which provide medical care and a stable source of income. The problem with inheriting a windfall is that it can put these clients over the asset threshold for continued eligibility for these programs. It is crucial for clients who inherit a windfall to identify any government benefits they are currently receiving, such as Medicaid or SSI. If they are on either of these programs, we can protect their windfall by transferring it into a Special Needs Trust. This allows them to keep their inheritance and their government benefits simultaneously.