Key benefits include preserving eligibility for government benefits, safeguarding assets for daily living, and providing a flexible source of funds for caregiver support. A properly drafted trust can prevent disqualification for essential programs while enabling families to plan for education, housing, transportation, and future healthcare needs.
An integrated plan coordinates healthcare, housing, transportation, and daily living costs. This synergy improves continuity of care and reduces stress for families as circumstances evolve, while maintaining access to essential public benefits.
With extensive experience in Maryland estate planning and a focus on compassionate client service, we tailor strategies to your family’s values and financial goals. We work closely with you and your care team to implement durable, beneficial solutions.
After completion, we provide ongoing support for trustee communications, annual reviews, and updates as laws and family circumstances change.
A Special Needs Trust is a vehicle designed to supplement essential supports for a person with a disability without compromising eligibility for public benefits. It can cover items like therapy, transportation, and educational enrichment, improving quality of life while maintaining access to Medicaid and SSI.
Yes, if not drafted carefully. An improperly structured trust can affect eligibility or trigger payback requirements. Proper planning aligns trust provisions with benefit rules, ensuring ongoing access to programs while providing necessary resources for daily living.
A first-party SNT uses the beneficiary’s own assets and may have payback provisions. A third-party SNT uses funds from family or others and typically avoids payback. The choice depends on asset ownership and long-term family goals.
A trustee should be someone trustworthy, financially literate, and capable of managing discretionary expenditures. This can be a family member, a friend, or a professional entity such as a trust company. The trustee must follow the trust terms and communicate clearly with beneficiaries.
Permitted expenses include education, medical and dental care, housing, transportation, recreation, and certain therapies. The rules regulate what counts as an approved use. Properly structured, these distributions enhance quality of life without disqualifying benefits.
Funding can come from cash, investments, life insurance proceeds, or inheritances. The source matters for benefit rules and payback. We help coordinate funding with your overall estate plan to ensure smooth administration.
Upon the beneficiary’s death, remaining trust assets may be used to reimburse certain government programs where required. Payback provisions should be carefully drafted to minimize estate impact while honoring beneficiary and family goals.
Set-up times vary by complexity and funding. A typical process, from initial consultation to execution, can take several weeks. We streamline document preparation, coordinate with trustees, and guide you through the signing and funding steps.
While not strictly required, consulting a lawyer ensures the trust complies with state law and program rules. An experienced attorney can tailor provisions to your family’s situation, reducing risk and ensuring lasting effectiveness.
To start, contact us for a consultation. We will review your family’s needs, plan options, and gather the necessary documents. From there, we create a customized strategy and guide you through drafting, signing, and funding the trust.
