Brockstedt Mandalas Federico highlights new special needs planning rules in Delaware

Brockstedt Mandalas Federico is drawing attention to recent federal and Delaware law changes that expand options for disabled adults and their families. The Wilmington firm says the updates make special needs trusts, ABLE accounts and advance directives more important for preserving benefits and planning care. Why it matters: - Recent federal and state changes expand planning options for disabled adults in Delaware. - Families can now use updated tools to save money, set up care, and try to protect eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other benefits. - The changes may reduce the risk that an inheritance or gift unintentionally cuts off public support. What happened: - Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC is highlighting its special needs planning and long-term care attorneys for families navigating the new rules. - The Wilmington, Delaware firm says the law changes are affecting how families approach special needs care. - The firm is directing readers to more information . The details: - Special needs planning uses legal and financial tools such as Special Needs Trusts, ABLE accounts, advance directives, and Medicaid planning. - The goal is to provide financial support without jeopardizing access to government benefits. - The federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act took effect Jan. 1, 2026. - The law raised the disability onset age for ABLE account eligibility from before 26 to before 46. - Delaware expanded eligible healthcare surrogates under the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act effective Sept. 30, 2025. - The expanded list includes domestic partners, siblings and others. - Delaware also now allows disabled adults to create advance directives for mental health care. - Delaware’s Trust Act, signed in August 2025, strengthened creditor protection for discretionary trust beneficiaries. Between the lines: - The rule changes broaden the number of people who may qualify for savings, surrogate decision-making and trust protections. - The timing suggests families may need to revisit older plans that were built around previous age limits and narrower state rules. - BMF is positioning its elder law practice as a guide for families sorting through those changes. What’s next: - Families with disabled adults are likely to review trusts, benefit eligibility and care documents under the new rules. - Attorneys practicing elder law and special needs planning may see higher demand as more people qualify for ABLE accounts and updated planning tools. - BMF says its Wilmington attorneys can help families decide the best course of action for their circumstances. The bottom line: - The new federal and Delaware rules expand planning flexibility, but they also raise the stakes for getting special needs planning right.