Understanding the Purpose of a Special Needs Trust
A special needs trust (SNT) is a powerful tool for providing financial security to individuals with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for needs-based government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. These trusts are carefully structured to ensure that funds supplement—rather than replace—the support provided by government programs.
At the heart of every special needs trust is the trustee. This individual or entity has a critical role in managing the trust’s assets, adhering to complex regulations, and ensuring the funds enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life. Proper administration is key to maintaining eligibility for benefits while meeting the unique needs of the beneficiary.
Fulfilling Fiduciary Responsibilities with Special Needs Trust Management
A trustee’s fiduciary responsibility is one of the most important aspects of managing a special needs trust. This duty requires the trustee to act solely in the best interest of the beneficiary, ensuring that every decision aligns with the trust's purpose.
To meet these obligations, trustees must manage the trust’s assets prudently. This involves diversifying investments, minimizing risks, and maximizing returns to ensure the long-term sustainability of the trust. Avoiding conflicts of interest is equally essential. Trustees must maintain transparency and integrity in all actions, upholding their commitment to the beneficiary’s welfare.
Ensuring Compliance with Government Benefit Regulations
Special needs trusts are subject to stringent rules governing SSI and Medicaid benefits. Unauthorized use of trust funds can lead to penalties, reductions in benefits, or even disqualification from programs. For trustees, understanding and adhering to these regulations is crucial.
For example, SNT funds cannot be used for basic support expenses like rent or utilities, as these are considered “in-kind support and maintenance” by SSI and treated as unearned income. However, funds can cover supplemental needs such as education, entertainment, and specialized medical care. Trustees must carefully navigate these restrictions to avoid jeopardizing the beneficiary’s eligibility.
A knowledgeable trustee will also ensure that all disbursements are made directly to service providers rather than the beneficiary to maintain compliance. By managing distributions with precision, trustees preserve the trust’s purpose and the beneficiary’s benefits.
Managing Finances and Keeping Detailed Records
The financial management of a special needs trust is another critical responsibility for trustees. This involves handling investments, paying taxes, and covering trust-related expenses like legal and administrative fees. To do this effectively, trustees must maintain accurate and detailed records of all transactions.
Proper record-keeping ensures transparency and facilitates required reporting to government agencies. It also protects trustees from legal disputes or accusations of mismanagement. For beneficiaries, this level of accountability provides peace of mind, knowing the trust is being administered responsibly.
In cases where the trustee lacks financial expertise, enlisting professional guidance can help ensure the trust’s assets are managed efficiently and in compliance with applicable laws.
Personal Engagement with the Beneficiary
While financial management is vital, trustees must also engage personally with the beneficiary to understand their unique needs and preferences. This personal connection allows trustees to make informed decisions about disbursements, tailoring the trust’s support to enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life.
For example, funds might be allocated for therapeutic programs, assistive technology, or recreational activities that align with the beneficiary’s interests. Trustees should also communicate regularly with caregivers and medical professionals to stay updated on the beneficiary’s changing circumstances.
By balancing personal engagement with administrative duties, trustees ensure the trust serves its intended purpose while respecting the dignity and individuality of the beneficiary.
Why Expert Guidance Matters
The complexities of managing a special needs trust can be overwhelming, even for experienced trustees. Regulations are intricate, and mistakes can have significant consequences for the beneficiary’s financial and personal well-being.
Families in Reno can benefit from working with Anderson, Dorn & Rader Ltd., whose team specializes in helping clients establish and manage special needs trusts. Whether acting as trustees or providing advisory services, their expertise ensures that every aspect of the trust is handled with care and compliance.
Next Steps for Families and Trustees
After understanding the trustee’s role in managing a special needs trust, it’s essential to assess your current or planned trust to ensure it aligns with the beneficiary’s needs. Consulting with a professional can provide clarity, reduce stress, and help avoid costly mistakes.
Anderson, Dorn & Rader Ltd. offers expert guidance to families and trustees in Reno, providing peace of mind and confidence in managing a special needs trust. Contact our team today to learn how they can assist you in securing your loved one’s future.
When establishing a third-party special needs trust, one of the most critical decisions you'll make is choosing the trustee. The trustee will manage the trust assets, ensure that the beneficiary's needs are met, and navigate the complex regulations surrounding government aid. In this article, we will explore the key responsibilities of a trustee, the pros and cons of professional versus family trustees, the legal considerations involved, and the long-term impact of this decision.
The trustee is responsible for managing the assets held in the trust. This includes investing the assets wisely, ensuring they grow and are preserved for the future. A trustee must be knowledgeable about financial management or have access to professional advice to make informed decisions.
Another crucial responsibility is making distributions to the beneficiary. The trustee must ensure that distributions align with the terms of the trust and do not jeopardize the beneficiary's eligibility for government aid programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. This requires a thorough understanding of the rules governing these programs.
The trustee must balance the need to preserve trust assets with the need to provide for the beneficiary's current and future needs. This includes paying for medical expenses, education, housing, and other necessities that enhance the beneficiary's quality of life.
Appointing a family member as the trustee has several advantages. Family members are often more familiar with the beneficiary's needs and preferences, which can make them more compassionate and understanding trustees. They may also be more willing to serve without compensation, which can preserve trust assets.
However, there are downsides to consider. Family members may lack the financial and legal expertise required to manage the trust effectively. They may also face conflicts of interest or emotional stress from managing the trust, especially if they are already involved in caregiving.
A professional trustee, such as a lawyer, bank, or trust company, brings expertise in managing trust assets and navigating legal requirements. Professional trustees can provide a high level of impartiality and are less likely to face conflicts of interest. They also offer continuity, ensuring the trust is managed consistently over time.
The main drawback of professional trustees is cost. They typically charge fees for their services, which can be a percentage of the trust assets or a flat fee. Additionally, they may not have the same personal connection to the beneficiary as a family member would.
Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the beneficiary. This means they must manage the trust assets prudently, avoid conflicts of interest, and comply with the terms of the trust. Trustees can be held legally liable for any breach of these duties.
Serving as a trustee involves potential legal liabilities. If the trustee mismanages the trust assets or fails to comply with legal requirements, they can be sued by the beneficiaries or other interested parties. It is crucial for trustees to understand these risks and seek professional advice if necessary.
The choice of trustee has a profound impact on the long-term welfare of the beneficiary. A well-chosen trustee can ensure that the beneficiary's needs are met without jeopardizing their eligibility for government aid. They can also provide stability and continuity, which are essential for the beneficiary's peace of mind.
A trustee's ability to manage the trust effectively will determine whether the trust can meet its intended purpose. This includes preserving assets for the beneficiary's lifetime, making appropriate distributions, and adapting to changes in the beneficiary's needs and circumstances.
Choosing the right trustee for a third-party special needs trust is a decision that requires careful consideration. It involves balancing the need for expertise and impartiality with the personal connection and understanding that a family member can provide. At Anderson, Dorn & Rader Ltd., we are here to help you navigate this complex process and ensure that your loved one's future is secure. Contact us to schedule a consultation and discuss how to set up a special needs trust with the appropriate trustee.
Every child is a precious gift, and as parents or grandparents, we strive to plan for their future, anticipating their needs and aspirations. However, families with special needs children or grandchildren face additional responsibilities in ensuring their loved one's future is secure, fulfilling, and supported. To ensure a flourishing future for your special needs child or grandchild, estate planning measures focused on their unique circumstances are essential. We recommend the following steps:
When it comes to estate planning, creating a Special or Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT) for your special needs child or grandchild should be a top priority. An SNT is a specialized trust designed to set aside funds and assets for the benefit of a beneficiary who may qualify for public assistance due to their disabilities. It can be established as a standalone trust or added to your existing trust.
It's important to note that government programs providing aid to disabled individuals have strict criteria regarding the amount of money and property a person can own while receiving benefits. Structuring any inheritance your special needs beneficiary may receive in a way that doesn't disqualify them from obtaining government benefits is crucial. Even if they are not currently receiving government benefits, considering the possibility of future needs is essential. To ensure all opportunities are available, it is vital that the trust is meticulously drafted by a lawyer well-versed in the eligibility requirements for government benefits.
An SNT not only provides financial security but also allows you to appoint a care manager or advisory committee. The care manager serves as an advocate for your special needs beneficiary, overseeing their well-being periodically or daily, depending on their level of care requirements. An advisory committee, comprising family members, friends, and professionals, can provide guidance to the trustee on the beneficiary's needs and the best use of the funds.
Additionally, the SNT can include a statement of intent, outlining the trust's purpose and how the funds should be utilized. This section acts as a safety net in case changes in the law make the beneficiary ineligible for government benefits. It allows for modifications to ensure your original intentions are met, even in the face of unforeseen circumstances.
In addition to establishing an SNT, putting your instructions in writing is crucial to ensure your wishes are carried out as intended. Consider creating a letter or memorandum of intent that provides guidance to your trustee on managing the trust after your passing. Although not legally binding, this document offers valuable insights into your true intentions. You can include details on how the funds should be used in accordance with government rules, specific goals you would like the beneficiary to achieve, and the standard of living you envision for them.
Supporting a special needs child or grandchild can be financially demanding, and it's important to consider how to sustain their care once you pass away. Life insurance can be a valuable tool in ensuring there will be sufficient funds for the trustee to use for their benefit. By designating the SNT as the beneficiary, you can provide a lump sum payment that is not subject to the same tax liabilities as retirement accounts.
The SECURE Act has brought changes to how beneficiaries can receive distributions from inherited IRAs, potentially impacting the financial support available to your special needs beneficiary. However, the Act also recognizes "eligible designated beneficiaries," including individuals with disabilities, who can still receive distributions over their life expectancies. Congress has established rules that allow the life expectancy of disabled beneficiaries to be used for certain types of trusts. If you have a substantial retirement account, it is crucial to discuss your distribution options to maximize benefits for all your beneficiaries.
We understand that securing a bright future for your special needs child or grandchild is of utmost importance to you. Our priority is to work with you in developing a comprehensive plan that will guarantee continued care and well-being for your loved ones. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us to schedule an appointment so that we can begin this process together.
If you have a person in your life who has a disability, your plans for the future must include making sure your loved one is cared for. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes when they make a well-meaning attempt to provide for a loved one with special needs. The actions that you take could impact a disabled person’s access to important benefits, so it is vitally important that you work with a special needs planning lawyer if you have a loved one in your life with a disabling condition.
Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. can provide comprehensive assistance with special needs planning. Our legal team helps parents with special needs children and other friends and relatives of individuals with disabilities. Give us a call at 775-823-9455 to talk with a Reno special needs planning lawyer about the services we can provide to you and to get answers to questions you have about special needs planning including:
Why is Special Needs Planning Important?
Special needs planning is important to ensure that you can help a relative or friend with a disability to have the highest possible quality of life. For parents of a disabled child, this can mean making sure that a child is cared for and has a loving place to live after parents are no longer alive to provide a home. For parents, relatives, and friends, it can mean providing a financial gift to someone with a disability so that person can have a better standard of living.
Because people with disabilities often rely heavily on government programs such as Supplemental Security Income to provide income or Medicaid to pay for costs of care, you cannot just give a financial gift to a person with special needs. If you make a gift during your lifetime or leave money in your will to a disabled person, you could cause a loss of access to means-tested benefits. Both SSI and Medicaid limit the amount of resources a person can have and still qualify for coverage, and the loss of these benefits could be devastating to someone with a disability.
There are ways you can ensure that a gift does not result in a loss of benefits, and there are steps you can take to ensure your disabled child, relative, or friend is provided for after you are gone. Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. can help you to explore the legal tools you need to use to make a smart special needs plan.
What is Involved in Special Needs Planning?
In most cases, special needs planning involves the creation of a specific type of trust. A special needs trust is designed to allow a disabled person to receive a financial gift to enhance quality of life, without causing a loss of benefits.
Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. can help you to create and fund this trust, which can be used to provide for extras that Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and other government programs will not cover. We also provide assistance to trustees who have been placed in charge of managing a special needs trust and who want to make sure they comply with the rules so they don’t put benefits in jeopardy.
Our Reno special needs planning lawyers can also provide help to parents in making arrangements for a disabled child to have a safe living situation and a loving guardian after the parents pass away.
Whatever your goals are for the person in your life who has special needs, we can help you to identify the types of legal tools that can allow you to achieve those plans.
How can a Special Needs Planning Lawyer Help You?
Ensuring that a disabled loved one is cared for and has the highest possible quality of life is a noble goal. You do not want your efforts to improve life for someone with special needs to actually cause a loss of benefits or other problems. You need to make sure your gifts you give and efforts you make to help have a beneficial impact now and in the future. Anderson, Dorn & Rader, Ltd. can help you.
To find out about the personalized assistance our legal team can provide with the special needs planning process, give us a call at 775-823-9455 or contact us online today. An experienced and compassionate Reno special needs planning lawyer will offer the type of personalized solutions you and your family need to ensure that a disabled person is always cared for no mater what the future brings.
There are certain trusts that can be looked at as asset protection trusts for people that are exposed to the estate tax. These would be irrevocable trust, but there are other trusts that fit into this category that can be useful for other purposes. Since the names of these devices are wordy, they are often reduced to acronyms, and we will provide some decoding in this blog post.
One of these irrevocable trusts that is not exclusively tied to the objective of estate tax efficiency is the supplemental needs trust. Many people with disabilities rely on government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The latter program is self-explanatory for the most part, and most people are aware of the fact that Medicaid is a source of health care insurance.
These are need-based benefits, so an applicant cannot gain eligibility with a significant store of assets in his or her name. As a result, if you want to provide for someone that is depending on Medicaid and/or SSI, you have to keep ongoing benefit eligibility in mind. There is a point of bifurcation at this point that we should cover so that you fully understand the lay of the land.
There is a type of trust called a supplemental needs trust that can be utilized under these circumstances. The trustee would be able to use assets in the trust to satisfy certain needs of the beneficiaries without violating any program rules. It would be possible for a parent, a grandparent, a trustee, or a court to establish this type of trust with the beneficiary’s own money.
As a result, it would be possible for you to give someone a direct gift that is used to establish a supplemental needs trust, which would be a first party special needs trust, That’s the good news, but the bad news is that the Medicaid program is required to seek reimbursement from the estates of people that used these benefits during their lives.
Because of this, if you go this route, Medicaid would absorb any remainder that is left in the trust after the passing of the grantor/beneficiary. To prevent this, you could establish the trust initially with your own resources. This would be a third-party trust, and assets that remain in the trust after the death of the beneficiary would be protected.
The estate tax exclusion stands $11.4 million right now, so if your estate is valued at more than this amount, you have to take steps to mitigate the damage. One type of trust that can be of assistance is the qualified personal residence trusts (QPRT).
Since we are covering a number of different devices here, we are providing short explanations. To execute this strategy, you place your home into the trust, and you name a beneficiary to assume ownership of it after the term expires. You are effectively removing your home from your estate for tax purposes, but the transfer would be exposed to the gift tax, which has the same rate.
When you establish the trust agreement, you set forth a term during which you will continue to live in the home as usual (which is called the retained income period). Let’s say that you choose to instruct the trust to allow you to stay in the home for 15 years.
No neutral buyer would pay fair market value for a piece of property that they could not possess for 15 years. The IRS takes this to into account when the taxable value of the gift is being calculated. Because of this, at the end of the process, the tax on the gift would be much less than the estate tax that would be applied on the immediate and direct transfer of the home after your passing.
The estate tax and the gift tax are applicable on transfers to anyone other than your spouse, as long as your spouse is an American citizen. If you are married to someone who is a citizen of another country, you could establish and fund a qualified domestic trust (QDT.)
Your spouse could receive earnings from the trust estate tax-free throughout his or her life if you do in fact die first. Portions of the principal could be distributed as well if you stipulate this in the trust declaration, but the estate tax would be applicable on these transfers.
After the passing of your surviving spouse, your final beneficiaries, presumably your children, would assume ownership of the trust. Transfer taxes would be a factor, but the resources would have earned income for a longer period of time while your surviving spouse was still alive.
We are here to help if you would like to learn more about advanced trusts or any other estate planning matter. You can send us a message to request a consultation appointment, and we can be reached by phone at 775-823-9455.
A lot of people look at estate planning as an exercise in slicing a pie into pieces of different sizes. Of course, you have to determine exactly what you would like to leave to each person on your inheritance list. However, there is another dimension that many people do not think about.
You should also consider the life situation of the people that will be receiving inheritances from you when you are gone. In this blog post, we will look at two scenarios that can be addressed in certain effective ways.
Special Needs Planning
If you are going to be leaving an inheritance to someone with special needs, you must consider the impact it will have on government benefit eligibility. Most people with disabilities rely on Medicaid as a source of health insurance. This program is only available to people with limited financial resources.
Clearly, a significant percentage of individuals with special needs cannot work and earn income. There is a program called Supplemental Security Income that provides financial help for qualified people, and once again, this is a need-based program.
Once eligibility is gained, it is not necessarily permanent. A change in financial status can trigger a loss of benefits. For this reason, you have to take the right steps to provide for a loved one with a disability in the ideal manner.
Under these circumstances, you could establish a supplemental needs trust. To implement this strategy, you fund the trust, and you name a trustee to act as the trust administrator. The person with a disability would be the beneficiary.
Medicaid and SSI do not satisfy all the needs of recipients, so assets in a supplemental needs trust could be used to provide goods and services that are not covered by these programs. As long as the trustee acts within the guidelines, benefit eligibility would not be negatively impacted.
Spendthrift Inheritors
Not everyone is good at managing money, and if you are going to be leaving an inheritance to a beneficiary with spendthrift tendencies, you should take certain precautions. One way to address this would be to make this individual the beneficiary of a revocable living trust.
To go this route, you fund the trust, and you can act as the trustee and the beneficiary while you are living, so there is no loss of control. You name a successor trustee in the trust declaration along with your spendthrift heir as the successor beneficiary.
After you die, the trust becomes irrevocable, and the beneficiary would not be able to change the terms or directly access the funds that are in the trust. The trustee would distribute assets to the beneficiary in accordance with your wishes.
So, let’s say that you have income producing assets in the trust. To provide a very simple hypothetical example, the assets earn $60,000 a year. You could instruct the trustee to distribute $5000 to the beneficiary each month, and principal would remain intact to generate income over the long haul.
Attend a Free Webinar!
We have looked at just two of many different scenarios that can be addressed through custom crafted estate planning strategies. If you would like to access more information on the subject, you are in luck.
Our Reno living trust lawyers go the extra mile to provide educational opportunities, and to this end, they are holding a number of Webinars over the coming weeks. They are being offered on a complimentary basis, but we do ask that you register in advance for the session that fits into your schedule.
You can get all the details and obtain registration information if you take a moment to visit our Webinar page.
