Special Needs Planning Protecting Your Assets, Securing Your Future

Special Needs Planning in Arkansas

Legal Planning That Protects Benefits & Long-Term Care for Arkansans with Disabilities

A loving family plan and a legally sound plan aren’t the same thing. When a child or adult with disabilities receives a direct inheritance or is named as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, that gift can disqualify them from Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) the moment the funds arrive. Special needs planning builds a legal framework around those assets so government benefits can stay intact and care can continue when a parent or caregiver can no longer provide it.

Since 2013, we’ve guided thousands of Arkansans through Medicaid planning and long-term care coordination. Families often come to us convinced that preserving both savings and benefits isn’t realistic. We take pride in showing them it can be. With offices in Cabot, Rogers, Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville, plus fully remote services available statewide, we’re reachable to families wherever they are in Arkansas and ready to move as soon as they are.

If you’re ready to start building a plan for a loved one with disabilities, call us at (888) 635-9081 for a free initial consultation.

Why Arkansas Families Work with AAPG Law

Our practice centers on elder law and estate planning, including Medicaid applications, asset protection, and wills and trusts. That focus means every part of a special needs plan connects to the benefit rules that govern your loved one’s care.

End-to-End Medicaid Management

What sets our approach apart is what happens after the documents are signed. We manage the Medicaid application process directly, communicating with the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) on your behalf so you don’t navigate that system alone. We coordinate with long-term care providers and remain available as benefit rules, family circumstances, and your loved one’s needs change over time.

Experience & Credentials You Can Verify

Our structured five-step process gives every client a transparent path forward from the first conversation. Attorney Steven Underwood brings more than 20 years of legal experience to this work, and our legal team collectively holds more than 30 years of combined experience. CEO Benjamin Jones adds a wealth management background as a licensed insurance producer with more than 20 years of experience, giving our planning a financial perspective that goes beyond document preparation. That combination, alongside our A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau held since 2014, reflects a commitment past clients have described as having “handled everything” during a difficult time and calling us a “life-saver.”

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Hear From Families We've Helped

Our clients often say our services seemed too good to be true—until they saw the results. Read how we’ve helped families like yours protect their assets and plan for long-term care.

    "Helpful, patient, kind and quick to help"

    Stephanie Love has been so helpful, patient, kind and quick to help me navigate through the processes necessary to get my mom through the Medicaid process. I appreciate her and all she does.

    - Catherine T.
    "Very Professional"

    Very professional and helpful. We would have been lost without them.

    - Gary H.
    "Highly Recommend"
    Yes, I used AAPG when my mother went into a nursing home. Someone at the nursing home told me about AAPG. I looked them up online to see who they were and saw good ratings. So I gave them a call, and from there, they took care of everything. I couldn’t have done it by myself. I had nothing to worry about—they handled everything. I just want everyone to know they are good, decent people, and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
    - Jimmy W.
    "Awesome Experience"

    My mom and I had an awesome experience with AAPG! Everyone is nice and helpful, and they were a life-saver in a time of need.

    - Kristi B.
    "Very Helpful"

    I had a very good experience with AAPG. Their staff is very helpful. Prompt on returning calls, and all staff have been very nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this business if you need help with finances for nursing home placement.

    - Jennifer S.
    "Comfortable"

    Ben and Steve were very helpful in explaining the process and making me feel comfortable every step of the way.

    - Marianne S.
    "Fantastic"

    I didn't know where to start. I was grateful to learn about AAPG. I was at a loss and AAPG has been fantastic. They took the burden off my shoulders and I have already referred them to many families.

    - Denese S.
    "Thrilled"

    I am thrilled that I didn't have to give up half of everything we owned to the nursing home. At the time, I didnt feel well and was so happy to have help regarding the Medicaid application. AAPG was a lot of help transferring and protecting property. I couldn't have completed the process alone, especially the way I was feeling.

    - Robert P.

Our Five-Step Process for Special Needs Planning

We use a structured process so families know where they stand and what comes next. Every engagement begins at no cost and moves at the pace that works for your family.

Free Initial Consultation
We review your family’s situation, discuss your loved one’s needs and current benefit status, and walk through Medicaid eligibility before anything else happens.

One-on-One Asset Assessment
We take a close look at your assets to identify which protection strategies fit your circumstances. This step shapes every document and application that follows.

Document Preparation & Execution
We prepare and execute the legal documents your plan requires: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, deeds, contracts, and annuities as applicable. Every document is drafted with Arkansas DHS review standards in mind.

Medicaid Application Filing & DHS Communication
We file and manage the Medicaid application process directly, handling communication with the Arkansas Department of Human Services so your family doesn’t have to navigate that process alone.

Benefits Coordination & Ongoing Support
We coordinate benefits with long-term care providers and remain available for post-eligibility support as financial requirements and your loved one’s needs evolve.

Both in-person appointments at our five Arkansas locations and fully remote services are available, so the process works regardless of where you live in the state.

  • Trusted Support for Families

    For decades, families have trusted us to help them make informed decisions about their future with clarity and confidence.

  • Personalized Legal Guidance

    Every situation is unique, and we take the time to understand your needs, offering tailored solutions for long-term care and estate planning.

  • Simplifying Medicaid Planning

    Navigating Medicaid can be complex, but we handle the paperwork and planning so you can focus on what matters most.

  • Asset Protection That Works

    We help you safeguard your savings, home, and other assets while ensuring you or your loved ones receive the care needed.

Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Future

Planning for long-term care and asset protection doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let AAPG Law guide you through the process with clarity and confidence. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Planning Mistakes That Can Cost Your Loved One Their Benefits

Most families who come to us aren’t trying to do anything wrong. The mistakes that jeopardize benefits are usually well-intentioned decisions made without legal guidance.

  • Naming a person with disabilities as a direct beneficiary: A will, life insurance policy, or retirement account that names the individual directly can trigger a benefits review the moment assets transfer. Those funds should flow through a properly structured special needs trust instead.
  • Relying on a will alone: A will addresses who receives assets but doesn’t coordinate with benefit eligibility rules. A complete plan requires trust structures and careful alignment with Medicaid and SSI requirements.
  • Using template or self-drafted trusts: Distribution language that doesn’t meet Arkansas DHS standards can trigger a review and cost the beneficiary their benefits. Drafting under Arkansas-specific rules matters.
  • Failing to revisit the plan: Laws change, family circumstances shift, and a loved one’s needs evolve. A plan that was sound five years ago may need updating today.

Start Your Special Needs Plan with a Free Consultation

Getting the plan right from the beginning can be far easier than correcting a benefits disruption after the fact. A free initial consultation gives us the chance to review your family’s situation, identify the tools that fit, and map out a clear path forward. We serve families throughout Arkansas from our offices in Cabot, Rogers, Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville, and through fully remote services available statewide.

Call AAPG Law today at (888) 635-9081 to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward a plan designed to help protect your loved one’s benefits and long-term care.

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Take the First Step Toward Peace of Mind

Call us at (888) 635-9081 or fill out the form below to get started.

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