Addiction & Estate Planning Helping Individuals for 30 years

Addiction & Estate Planning Attorney in Fishkill

Representing Families Struggling with Addiction - Serving Dutchess, Westchester, and Putnam Counties

For families with a history of drug abuse and addiction, it is crucial to consider addiction issues when creating an Estate Plan.

The struggle and hardship of having a child addicted to drugs and/or alcohol is never-ending. Upon your death, what are you to do with your money? If a child has a history of drug abuse, should you cut the child off (disinherit) and make a hard life even harder? Should you reward them for bad behavior or motivate good behavior? Will your estate fund habits that can lead to their death?

Taking a balanced approach when creating an estate plan can help you address your family’s challenges. People are reluctant to leave money for someone who will use it to feed their destructive and deadly habits. The fear of providing the money that will lead to a person’s continuing destruction or death is justified, which is why you should consult with an attorney to discuss the estate planning tools that are available for you.

Trusts

Trusts can be used so that a troubled child will only receive money after your death if:

  • You decide what is in your family’s best interest.
  • You decide which plan of distribution, if any, to implement to assist your troubled child.
  • You will have an Estate Plan that still addresses the more typical needs of protecting your assets. 

By creating a trust, you can help influence a child’s behavior and actions. Ultimately, you control when and if money will be available.

Continue Reading Read Less

How Can a Trust Help My Child Beat Addiction?

  • Motivation: A properly crafted Trust can be used as a tool to motivate abstinence and recovery. A well-designed Trust can be used to help the individual and not contribute to his/her destructive behavior.
  • Success: If your child struggles with this issue, success of any kind needs to be valued and rewarded. The tipping point to success is elusive and all available leverage needs to be used.
  • Control: Family members can determine when and under what circumstances the addicted loved one will obtain distributions. In addition, they can establish certain provisions to prevent the trustee or beneficiary from obtaining funds and using them to support their addiction.
Continue Reading Read Less

What Our Clients Are Saying

At Martin Law PC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    “a kind, thorough, and professional attorney...”
    “strongly recommend him to anyone who is in need of legal counsel”
    - Sharon and George Gillen
    “Always provided sound legal advice”
    “Martin Law makes their clients a priority and is there when you need him. They always provided sound legal advise. I am very grateful for all their help over the years.”
    - Christine Murray
    “Mr. Martin made it so easy to achieve the results I wanted.”
    “It was the best decision I ever made. Each time I had a question about something, they were there with the answers.”
    - Robert Beahan
    “Michael and his staff are extremely professional and thorough.”
    My husband and I have used Martin Law on several occasions and have always been very pleased. In addition to receiving excellent advice, Michael and his staff are extremely professional and thorough. I would not hesitate to recommend Michael Martin (and have).
    - Risa Getman
    “The service has been excellent”
    I have used the Martin Law Firm for over 20 years. The service has been excellent handling real estate transactions, lawsuits and Estate Planning.
    - Fred Cantor

Free Initial Consultation

Call our dutchess county estate planning lawyer
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.
  • By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy

What Sets Martin Law Apart?

Our Values
  • We have more than 20 years of legal experience.
  • We help our clients find the peace of mind they need.
  • We offer both personal attention and professional skill.
  • We make house calls.
  • We take pride in protecting the wishes of our clients.
  • We offer our clients free and confidential consultations.