Written
by:
Rae Roebuck and Judy Coultes-MacLeod
First Leadership Limited
PART
2: TOOLS & RESOURCES
RESOURCES
e. Estate Planning
Special
Needs Planning Group
An
estate planning guide for families of people with a disability,
titled “Removing the Mystery”, was developed by
the founder of the Special Needs Planning Group. Since 1997,
the Special Needs Planning Group's sole purpose has been to
assist families in establishing plans which will provide their
family members with a disability with a decent quality of life
for their entire lifetime while at the same time, preserving
their entitlement to government support programs. The Special
Needs Planning Group provides information on wills, trusts,
tax programs, and investment vehicles, to name a few, that is
specific to families caring for a child with a disability.
This
guide provides an in depth look at planning issues which commonly
affect families who have family members with disabilities. This
guide can be used by families, lawyers, accountants and/or planners.
“Removing the Mystery” explores such topics as:
Selecting
an Estate Planning Professional;
ODSP
Benefits and Entitlements;
Wills and Trusts;
Henson Trusts;
Trustee Selection and Duties;
Planning Giving; and
Probate Fees.
It
is designed to benefit all families regardless of the disability
of their family member. It can be previewed on the Ontario Federation
for Cerebral Palsy's website at: www.ofcp.on.ca/ltp_resources.html.
In addition, it can
be purchased in CD- ROM format from the OFCP for $9.95 or in
paper format for $29.95.
For more information on the Special Needs Planning
Group visit the website at:
www.specialneedsplanning.ca/index.html
Bloorview Kids Rehab
Bloorview
Kids Rehab provides general information on estate planning in
a tip sheet called “Tips on Estate Planning for Special
Needs Families.” It can be accessed at:
www.bloorview.ca/resourcecentre/familyresources/documents/estateplanningtips.pdf
Office of the Public Guardian
and Trustee
In
addition, The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee can
provide assistance and information regarding guardianship, wills,
pestate planning, power of attorney, and substitute decision
making by
calling 1-800-366-0335.
