For many Alabama families, Medicaid provides access to essential healthcare, nursing home care and services for individuals with disabilities. But qualifying for Medicaid isn’t always simple, particularly when someone has savings, receives an inheritance or needs long-term care. Understanding Alabama Medicaid rules can help families avoid costly mistakes and make plans that protect both their…
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Can Someone on SSI Inherit Money? What Alabama Families Need to Know
Receiving an inheritance is usually considered a financial blessing. But for someone who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), an inheritance can also create an unexpected problem. Yes, someone receiving SSI can inherit money. However, the inheritance could affect their eligibility for SSI and other needs-based government benefits if the money is received directly. That is…
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What Is a Special Needs Trust in Alabama?
If you have a loved one with a disability who receives Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may have heard the term special needs trust. But what exactly is a special needs trust, and why might an Alabama family need one? A special needs trust is a financial planning tool that can allow a person…
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How Alabama Family Trust Invests Funds for Families
At Alabama Family Trust, our number one commitment is protecting your loved one’s quality of life – today, tomorrow, and for as long as possible. One of the most important parts of that protection is how the funds inside a trust are invested. To make sure families receive professional investment management, Alabama Family Trust partners…
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How Alabama Family Trust helps protect benefits and assets
When families hear the word “trust,” they often think of something complicated, expensive, or only meant for the wealthy. But Alabama Family Trust is different by design and by mission. “We are not the typical trust company,” said Jennifer Griffin, Board President of Alabama Family Trust. “We try to assist people who have special needs…
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Legislature founded AFT to help families care for loved ones in need
Alabama Family Trust was created by the Alabama legislature in the mid-1990s to ease the burden of family members with a loved one with special needs or who is elderly and requiring nursing home care and were overwhelmed navigating the financial realities of care. AFT made it possible for families to set aside assets, which…
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Why Medicaid planning shouldn’t mean spending everything you’ve saved
One of the most common and costly misconceptions about Medicaid is the belief that individuals and families must spend down all of their assets before they can qualify. For families who have worked hard, saved carefully, and planned responsibly, this can feel not only discouraging—but devastating. The good news is this: qualifying for Medicaid does not have…
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Have Questions? Our New Website Assistant Can Help
Meet AFT’s New Website Assistant Finding answers about trusts, Medicaid eligibility, and planning for the future can feel overwhelming. That’s why Alabama Family Trust is excited to introduce a new feature designed to make information more accessible for families and professionals across Alabama. Introducing the AFT Website Chatbot Visitors to the Alabama Family Trust website…
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Alabama Family Trust welcomes new Trustee, honors outgoing board member
Alabama Family Trust recently welcomed a new member to its Board of Trustees while recognizing the service of a trustee whose term has concluded. Attorney Troy A. Skipworth was appointed to the Board of Trustees on April 7, 2026. At the same time, John Paluzzi’s term came to an end, marking the conclusion of his service…
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Wallace Davis turned to AFT to give his parents a quality retirement
When families face the reality of long-term care for a loved one, the emotional weight is often matched by financial fear. For many, the cost of care can feel overwhelming—especially when there are limited by funds and have no clear path forward. This is exactly where Alabama Family Trust (AFT) becomes life-changing. A Family Facing the Unexpected…
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