The Ultimate Guide to ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts: Eligibility and Requirements, Application, Funding, and Tax Planning (2026 Edition)

Thomas V. Sannicandro | SanLaw Legal

Thomas V. Sannicandro, JD, PhD (known as Tom Sannicandro), is an entrepreneur, disability advocate, author, politician, and attorney with over 25 years in disability law. As the founder of SpecialNeedsTrustsOnline.com, a nonprofit providing affordable estate planning for families with special needs children, he draws from his experience as a parent of an adult son with Down syndrome. He served as a Massachusetts State Representative (2005-2017), chairing the Joint Committee on Higher Education and authoring key legislation like the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Program and Real Lives Bill. Previously, he directed the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston (2017-2019) and the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges. His academic credentials include a BA from College of the Holy Cross, JD from Suffolk University Law School, MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, and MA/PhD in Social Policy from Brandeis University. He has published research on disability policy, spoken at the United Nations, and advocates globally. An avid bodybuilder, he authored “Iron Legacy” on personal transformation. He lives between Florida and Massachusetts with his wife, has four adult children and three grandchildren.

Michael C. Ringel | Strategies for Wealth

Michael Ringel is a seasoned financial professional who has dedicated over two decades to empowering individuals and families, especially those caring for loved ones with disabilities, with thoughtful, values-driven financial strategies. As a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC), Michael is deeply committed to helping families of individuals with special needs plan for the future with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Michael’s journey into financial education began with a strong academic foundation and a personal passion for teaching, inspired by his father, a college professor. Rather than take a traditional classroom route, Michael chose to teach where it matters most, at the kitchen table, helping families understand how to protect and grow their financial futures. Since 2004, he has worked closely with parents of children with disabilities, guiding them through complex topics like special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and long term financial security.

With professional designations including CPA, RICP, CDFA, and CExP, and an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, Michael brings academic rigor and practical experience to his client relationships. His client first philosophy focuses on uncovering each family’s personal and financial values before offering tailored strategies, especially for those planning for the long-term care and independence of a child with disabilities.

Michael is a frequent speaker on special needs financial planning, presenting annually at the New Jersey Autism Conference, the New Jersey State Society of CPAs, and through national webinars hosted by organizations such as the Autism Society, GiGi’s Playhouse, and The ARC of New Jersey. He is also a sought after guest on podcasts covering financial literacy and special needs advocacy.

Jennifer McInerney | McInerney Law Firm

Jenny grew up in Shelby County, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with honors in 2001 (B.A., magna cum laude) and 2003 (M.A., summa cum laude), Indiana University School of Law in 2008 (J.D., cum laude), and Washington University in St. Louis in 2022 (LL.M. in Taxation, summa cum laude). She is licensed to practice law in Alabama and Mississippi. She is a registered Mediator in the state of Alabama.

Jenny’s practice is devoted to helping families plan. Jenny helps her clients develop a thoughtful estate plan to protect their loved ones in the event of death or disability. She uses her knowledge and experience to help families avoid problems and disputes during life transitions.

Jenny advises her clients on Wills, Trusts, Special Needs Planning, Medicaid planning, Elder law, Supported Decision Making Agreements, Guardianships/Conservatorships (and alternatives), Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, Durable Powers of Attorney, Advanced Health Care Directives, Estate Administration, Trust Administration, Estate and Trust Litigation, and minor children Name Changes.

Jenny has a passion for special needs planning – which is estate planning for the benefit of someone who is disabled or who may be/or will be receiving needs-based government assistance. Special needs planning can greatly enhance such an individual’s life. It is also necessary to be even more deliberate and thoughtful in a special needs plan, as we are providing for someone who will likely never be able to care for themselves. Jenny is the mother to two children with special needs, which provides her with a unique perspective in advising her clients – she understands the reality of being a parent to an adult with special needs and to a young child with special needs.

Jenny’s practice is devoted to helping small businesses. Many of the families Jenny serve own and operate small businesses here in our community. Jenny regularly handles business entity formation, general business and corporate law matters, and litigation. She also has extensive experience in non-profit formation, compliance, and management.

She is an active member of the community. She is the current President of the Board of Directors of the Greater Alabama 310 Board, Inc, the Co-President of the Board of Directors of Special Siblings, a member of the Board of Directors of Down Syndrome Alabama, a member of the Board of Directors of The Arc of Shelby County, a member of the Board of Directors of Shelby Humane Society, and a member of the Board of Directors of 25:35. Jenny is the den leader for Troop 320 – Tigers.

Jenny is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham (2023), Leadership Shelby County (2011), Partners in Policymaking of Alabama (2021), and the Birmingham Bar Association’s Future Leaders Forum (2011). Jenny is the author of the blog for Alabama’s ABLE program. Jenny has three children, three rescue dogs and is married to Kerry.

Session I – Empowering Families Through Special Needs Planning | 1:00pm – 1:40pm

• First-party supplemental needs trusts
  • Strategies for establishing self-settled trusts using the beneficiary’s own assets
    1.  Compliance with payback provisions to Medicaid and integration with government benefits for individuals with disabilities
• Third-party supplemental needs trusts
  • Best practices for creating trusts funded by family or others
  • Focusing on asset protection without repayment requirements
  • How they can supplement public benefits while offering flexibility in distributions
• ABLE accounts
  • Guide for Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts as tax-advantaged savings vehicles for disability-related expenses
    1. Eligibility rules
    2. Contribution limits
    3. Comparisons to trusts for optimal financial planning
• Power of attorney and healthcare directives
  • Guidance on drafting durable powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives tailored for special needs clients
    1. Decision-making authority
    2. Guardianship alternatives
    3. Ensuring continuity of care

Break | 1:40pm – 1:50pm

Session II – Planning for Two Lifetimes: Create Financial Confidence for You and Your Family (or your client’s) | 1:50pm – 2:30pm

• Planning for two lifetimes: Parents and their child with special needs
• Understanding and funding a special needs trust
• Coordinating government benefits with personal planning
• Ensuring long-term care, independence, and financial security

Break | 2:30pm – 2:40pm

Session III – Strategic Financial Planning for Disability Benefits: Navigating ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts | 2:40pm – 3:20pm

• Comparing ABLE accounts and special needs trusts
• Coordinating financial planning with government benefits
• Understanding reporting obligations and compliance