A well-structured trust preserves eligibility for public benefits by carefully limiting distributions and ensuring funds are used in ways that don’t disrupt qualification. This protection supports ongoing access to medical, housing, and support programs essential to daily life.
Choosing our team means partnering with planners who listen first, translate goals into actionable plans, and navigate complex rules to deliver reliable outcomes. We prioritize clear communication, thorough documentation, and respectful collaboration with families and professionals.
Ongoing support includes trustee guidance, annual reviews, and coordination with care teams. We remain available to handle amendments, asset changes, and updates as needs evolve.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement designed to support a person with a disability without impacting their eligibility for means-tested benefits. It is often used to fund supplemental goods and services while preserving important public benefits. To qualify, careful drafting and compliance with relevant rules are essential.
Public benefits programs typically consider the trust as a separate asset. Properly funded and managed, the trust’s distributions are counted as funds used for supplemental items, rather than income to the beneficiary. This separation helps maintain eligibility while providing additional resources for care and enrichment.
A trustee may be a family member, trusted advisor, or a professional fiduciary. The role includes managing assets, ensuring distributions follow the trust terms, and coordinating with providers and benefits agencies. Trustees should be reliable, communicative, and prepared to fulfill ongoing duties.
Assets such as cash, investments, life insurance proceeds, or gifts can fund a special needs trust. The choice of funding methods influences taxes, probate avoidance, and timing. Careful planning ensures funds are available when needed without compromising eligibility.
Maintenance involves regular reviews, accounting, and adapting distributions to changing needs. Trustees may need to update beneficiary information, adjust for new benefits rules, and coordinate with professionals to keep the trust in good standing over time.
Tax considerations for special needs trusts vary by type and funding. Some trusts are tax-advantaged, while others require careful reporting. Consulting a tax professional helps ensure compliant filings and optimized tax outcomes for the trust and its assets.
Many trusts are amendable, allowing changes to beneficiaries, trustee appointments, or distributions. Amendments must follow the trust’s terms and applicable law. Regular reviews help ensure the plan remains aligned with evolving needs and regulatory changes.
The duration of a special needs trust depends on the beneficiary’s needs and the terms of the document. Some trusts terminate upon the beneficiary’s death or when funds are exhausted, while others remain in effect throughout life with ongoing management.
Fees vary by complexity, funding, and ongoing administration. Typical costs include initial drafting, funding guidance, periodic reviews, and trustee support. We provide transparent estimates and work to align expenses with the plan’s long-term benefits.
To begin, contact our Greenbelt office for an initial consultation. We will review your goals, assets, and care needs, then outline a tailored plan. From there, we draft the trust and begin coordinating with trustees and benefits programs to implement the strategy.
