Serving Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, Johnston, Indianola, Altoona, Clive, Grimes, Polk County, Knoxville, Bondurant, Adel, Warren County, Madison County, Perry, Winterset, Dallas County, Polk City, Osceola, Marion County, Chariton, Carlisle, Clarke County, Lucas County and beyond
Special Needs Lawyer Des Moines
Planning for the future is essential for everybody, but especially for those caring for a loved one with special needs. At Hope Law Firm, we understand the complexities of special needs planning. Our approach is careful and thorough. Our special needs lawyer can craft plans that include special needs trusts, guardianships, and other legal instruments to protect your loved ones both today and tomorrow. With compassionate guidance, Hope Law Firm can help you navigate the intricate landscape of laws involved and ensure that your loved one’s needs are met—without compromising their eligibility for crucial government benefits.
To request a consultation with a special needs attorney, contact us at (515) 298-5056 today.
Des Moines Special Needs Planning Call for More Information Today!515-298-5056
I had a wonderful experience with Antoinette and Kayla going through my estate planning.
Eric Hamilton
S"Outstanding Assistance With Estate Planning"
Antoinette provided outstanding assistance with estate planning and made what can often feel like a complicated process smooth, clear, and stress-free.
Shaleaha Cooks
Y"Absolutely Amazing Estate Planning Help"
She made the entire process feel simple, organized, and far less intimidating than I expected.
YNE C-Note
D"Truly Exceptional Estate Planning Service"
She was generous with her time, patient with every question, and genuinely committed to making sure I understood each part of the process.
DeTroy Nelson
B"A Pleasure Working with Hope Law Firm"
I highly recommend them for all your estate planning and probate needs!
Bleú Chestnut
H"Great to work with"
Andrew and Danielle were great to work with and always willing to listen.
Haley Stuart
K"Beautiful Office Environment"
The office was beautiful, the people were very kind and helpful.
Keeli T
M"Relief in Good Hands"
I feel so much relief knowing my case will be in good hands.
Mark Schlief
H"Excellent Experience During Probate"
She was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable about the process.
Heather Henry
J"Brian Meyer did my will!"
Brian Meyer did my will! He did a great job!
Julie Smith
S"Professional Job by Brian"
Brian did a very professional job. Staff was easy to work with.
Sandy Greif
T"Highly Recommend!"
Alyssa and Jennifer were amazing! Seamless process.
Todd Claiborne
S"Brian Meyer: My Go-To Legal Expert"
Brian Meyer is my go-to legal expert for any situation.
Samantha “Squidtone”
C"Alexis Really Cares About Her Clients"
Alexis is a great team member who really cares about her clients.
Christine Dennison
E"Alexis and the Team Were Amazing"
Alexis and the personal injury team were amazing.
Emily Martz
A"Always Gives Exceptional Advice"
She continually treats her clients with the most respect and truly cares.
Adam Schneider
M"Extremely Knowledgeable and Hard-Working"
The personal injury group at Hope Law Firm is extremely knowledgeable and hard-working.
Megan Hilliard
E"Shannon, Brittany, and Alexis Did a Great Job"
Their personal injury team fought hard for us and won us a favorable outcome.
Ethan Mcdaniel
T"I Would Recommend Alexis"
She is a very knowledgeable and friendly paralegal who can help you through your case.
Tyler Shedd
S"I Highly Recommend the Personal Injury Team"
Robin is responsive and professional.
Scott Petersen
D"I Highly Recommend Hope Law Firm"
Their communication, professionalism, and genuine care stand out.
Douglas Siddle
B"Highly Recommend Hope Law Firm"
Shannon, Brittany, and their paralegal Alexis care deeply about their clients and will work hard for your case!
Breena Wade
A"Very Knowledgeable and Caring"
Alexis is very knowledgeable and clearly cares a lot about her clients.
Ally Phillippi
D"Highly Recommend Alexis and Her Team"
I would highly recommend her and her team to any friends or family who needed legal representation.
Davin Bakerink
S"Great Experience with Hope Law Firm"
I had a great experience working with Robin and the personal injury team at Hope Law Firm.
Shayla Christensen
D"Incredible to Work With"
They are professional, polite, and honest.
Dakota Warner
C"The whole team will fight hard for your case!"
She was knowledgeable and kind, always answering all my questions throughout the process.
Callie Bruchert
D"The Personal Injury Team Is Amazing"
The personal injury team at Hope Law Firm is amazing!!
Daylan Carney
S"The staff at Hope Law Firm are great!"
Many thanks to Robin and the Personal Injury Team.
Steve Walker
T"Fought hard for my personal injury case"
I would recommend anyone dealing with a car accident to contact the personal injury team at Hope Law Firm!
Tiffany Githens-Galeazzi
Wonderful Experience with Antoinette and Kayla
I had a wonderful experience with Antoinette and Kayla going through my estate planning. They answered all of my questions and were fast and super friendly.
Eric Hamilton
Outstanding Assistance With Estate Planning
Antoinette provided outstanding assistance with estate planning and made what can often feel like a complicated process smooth, clear, and stress-free. From the very beginning, she was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient in explaining each step so I could feel confident about every decision being made.
What truly sets Antoinette apart is her compassion and attention to detail. She took the time to listen to my concerns, answer all of my questions, and make sure everything was handled properly to protect my family and future. Her calm and reassuring presence made the entire experience much easier than I expected.
Planning for the future is important, and having someone like Antoinette to guide the process is a true blessing. She combines professionalism with genuine care, and I highly recommend her to anyone needing estate planning assistance.
Shaleaha Cooks
Absolutely Amazing Estate Planning Help
Antoinette was absolutely amazing in helping with my estate planning needs. She made the entire process feel simple, organized, and far less intimidating than I expected. Her professionalism and knowledge were clear from the start, and she took the time to explain everything in a way that was easy to understand.
What I appreciated most was how caring and detail-oriented she was throughout the process. Antoinette listened to my concerns, answered all of my questions with patience, and made sure every document was handled accurately and efficiently. She truly cares about helping people protect their future and their loved ones.
If you are looking for someone trustworthy, compassionate, and highly skilled, I highly recommend Antoinette. She made an important life decision feel manageable and gave me peace of mind every step of the way.
YNE C-Note
Truly Exceptional Estate Planning Service
Antoinette provided truly exceptional service with my estate planning, and I cannot recommend her enough. She was generous with her time, patient with every question, and genuinely committed to making sure I understood each part of the process. What could have felt overwhelming became smooth and manageable because of her guidance.
Her professionalism, kindness, and attention to detail stood out from the very beginning. Antoinette took the time to listen carefully to my concerns, explain my options clearly, and ensure every document was prepared accurately. She made me feel valued, respected, and confident that my family’s future was being protected.
It is rare to find someone who combines knowledge, compassion, and such a giving spirit the way Antoinette does. She goes above and beyond for the people she helps, and I am deeply grateful for her support. If you need estate planning assistance, Antoinette is someone you can trust completely.
DeTroy Nelson
A Pleasure Working with Hope Law Firm
It was a pleasure working with Antoinette and the team at Hope Law Firm. I highly recommend them for all your estate planning and probate needs!
Bleú Chestnut
Great to work with
Andrew and Danielle were great to work with and were always willing to listen to concerns or queries we had in our home buying process.
Haley Stuart
Beautiful Office Environment
The office was beautiful, the people who helped us close on our home were very kind and helpful!
Keeli T
Relief in Good Hands
I consulted with Debra recently and had additional questions. Her paralegal, Erin, was very helpful at answering my questions and assured me they would direct me through the process. I feel so much relief knowing my case will be in good hands.
Mark Schlief
Excellent Experience During Probate
I had an excellent experience working with Antoinette during a probate matter. She was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable about the process. She made everything feel much more manageable during a difficult time.
Heather Henry
Brian Meyer did my will!
Brian Meyer did my will! Glad I haven’t needed it. He did a great job!
Julie Smith
Professional Job by Brian
We had a complicated estate to settle. Brian did a very professional job. Staff was easy to work with.
Sandy Greif
Highly Recommend!
Alyssa and Jennifer were amazing! Seamless process and everything went smoothly. Highly recommend!
Todd Claiborne
Brian Meyer: My Go-To Legal Expert
Brian Meyer is my go-to legal expert for any situation, whether that be a consultation or simply asking a question. Thank you for your dedicated service. We are truly grateful for all the help you’ve provided over the years.
Samantha “Squidtone”
Alexis Really Cares About Her Clients
If you’ve been in a car accident, I’d recommend reaching out here. Alexis is a great team member who really cares about her clients and is very determined to make sure they’re taken care of.
Christine Dennison
Alexis and the Team Were Amazing
Alexis and the rest of the personal injury team were amazing.
Emily Martz
Always Gives Exceptional Advice
Alexis has always given exceptional advice for whatever it may be. She continually treats her clients with the most respect and truly cares. If you have any personal injury issues, I highly recommend contacting her.
Adam Schneider
Extremely Knowledgeable and Hard-Working
The personal injury group at Hope Law Firm is extremely knowledgeable and hard-working. Paralegal Alexis is incredibly helpful and kind. I would recommend reaching out for any personal injury matters!
Megan Hilliard
Shannon, Brittany, and Alexis Did a Great Job
Shannon, Brittany, and Alexis did a great job. Their personal injury team fought hard for our case and won us a favorable outcome.
Ethan Mcdaniel
I Would Recommend Alexis
If you’re ever in a car accident, I would recommend reaching out to Alexis on the personal injury team! She is a very knowledgeable and friendly paralegal who can help you through your case.
Tyler Shedd
I Highly Recommend the Personal Injury Team
I highly recommend the personal injury team. Robin is responsive and professional.
Scott Petersen
I Highly Recommend Hope Law Firm
I highly recommend Hope Law Firm. During one of the most difficult times in my life, they have been absolutely fantastic to work with. They are helping me with both my father’s probate estate and the personal injury side of the case, and they were the only firm I found that could confidently handle both matters under one roof.
From the very beginning, everyone at the firm has been courteous, professional, and compassionate. Every time I email with questions or concerns, they respond quickly and always take the time to explain things clearly and thoroughly. They have made a complicated process feel much more manageable.
From the staff answering the phones to the legal assistants and attorneys, every person I’ve dealt with has treated me with kindness and respect. Their communication, professionalism, and genuine care stand out.
Their name truly fits them—they have brought me hope during a very hard season of life. I’m grateful I found them and would strongly recommend them to anyone needing legal help.
Douglas Siddle
Highly Recommend Hope Law Firm
I would highly recommend working with the Hope Law Firm Personal Injury Team. Shannon, Brittany, and their paralegal Alexis care deeply about their clients and will work hard for your case!
Breena Wade
Very Knowledgeable and Caring
Alexis is very knowledgeable and clearly cares a lot about her clients. I would recommend the personal injury team at Hope Law Firm to anyone involved in an accident.
Ally Phillippi
Highly Recommend Alexis and Her Team
I worked with Alexis on the personal injury team and would highly recommend her and her team to any friends or family who needed legal representation. Thanks for all of your help, Alexis!
Davin Bakerink
Great Experience with Hope Law Firm
I had a great experience working with Robin and the personal injury team at Hope Law Firm. They are all very professional. I highly recommend reaching out to Hope Law Firm.
Shayla Christensen
Incredible to Work With
Alexis and the rest of the personal injury team have been incredible to work with. They are professional, polite, and honest. They will always fight for you and keep you in the loop as your case progresses. I would highly recommend working with the personal injury team at Hope Law Firm.
Dakota Warner
The whole team will fight hard for your case!
I worked with the personal injury team at Hope Law Firm and was assigned Alexis as my paralegal. She was knowledgeable and kind, always answering all my questions throughout the process. The whole team will fight hard for your case! I would definitely recommend working with them if you’re in need of a lawyer for a car accident!
Callie Bruchert
The Personal Injury Team Is Amazing
The personal injury team at Hope Law Firm is amazing!! I have had the pleasure of working with Alexis, and I will always highly recommend their team.
Daylan Carney
The staff at Hope Law Firm are great!
The staff at Hope Law Firm are great! Many thanks to Robin and the Personal Injury Team.
Steve Walker
Fought hard for my personal injury case
Shannon and Brittany, and their paralegal Alexis, fought hard for my personal injury case. Alexis was always quick to respond, helpful, and made my experience with the firm seamless. I would recommend anyone dealing with a car accident to contact the personal injury team at Hope Law Firm!
At Hope Law Firm, we combine seasoned trial experience with compassionate guidance to help clients across Iowa and Nebraska move forward. We listen, explain your options clearly, and fight hard for the best possible outcome in every case.
Why Choose Us:
Free initial consultation and no fee unless we win in many cases
125+ years of combined litigation and trial experience
Tens of millions recovered for injured clients
Full-service firm for injury, family law, criminal defense, and more
Top peer and client ratings, including AV Preeminent and BBB A+
Accessible team with flexible hours and multiple office locations
Experienced Counsel For Complex Estates
125+ years’ combined experience resolving disputes and administering estates.
Compassionate Help In Difficult Times
We handle legal details with care, clarity, and respect for your wishes.
Clear Plans For Your Legacy And Estate
Customized wills, trusts, and directives to protect what matters most.
Guiding Families Through Probate Stress
We simplify Iowa probate so you can focus on your family, not paperwork.
Meet the Hope Law Firm Team
At Hope Law Firm, our team is dedicated to guiding clients through some of life’s most challenging moments with skill, compassion, and integrity. From our Des Moines headquarters and offices across Iowa and into Nebraska, we draw on more than 125 years of combined experience to handle serious personal injury, workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, family law, criminal defense, and insurance disputes.
We take time to understand each client’s story and goals, offering free initial consultations and, in many cases, no fees unless we win. Backed by proven trial and negotiation experience, tens of millions recovered for injured clients, and respected credentials such as Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent ratings and an A+ BBB score, we focus on clear communication, accessible service, and determined advocacy. Our mission is to provide not only strong legal representation, but also hope and a path forward.
A Special Needs Trust, also known as a supplemental needs trust, is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the person with disabilities. It is structured in a way that preserves their eligibility for government assistance while providing funds for non-covered expenses like therapy, education, travel, and personal care.
How can a Special Needs Trust protect benefits?
A Special Needs Trust holds assets separately from the beneficiary, thus not being counted as personal assets that could affect eligibility for government programs like SSI or Medicaid. Funds from the trust can be used to cover expenses not typically provided by such programs.
What are the legal requirements for a Special Needs Trust?
Legal requirements include clearly identifying the beneficiary, stipulating the trustee's responsibilities, precisely listing permissible use of funds, and ensuring it meets state and federal regulations to maintain the beneficiary’s eligibility for public benefits. Professional legal advice is essential to structure it correctly.
What is special needs planning?
Special needs planning assists individuals in arranging their estates or establishing trusts to cater to the long-term wellbeing and financial security of a loved one with disabilities. It ensures that the individual with special needs is cared for without jeopardizing eligibility for essential government benefits.