August, 2014
Planning Spotlight: Special Needs Trusts
Millions of American families face the emotional and financial challenge of caring for a child with special needs. For these families, financial and estate planning must go beyond traditional goals to include for the child's current and future well-being.
In most cases, severely disabled children receive government assistance in the form of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicaid to help cover medical and long-term care costs. Such funding -- while a welcome benefit -- can complicate parents' ability to provide their own financial support. For instance, if a disabled individual receives an inheritance, he or she is likely to be disqualified from receiving federal government benefits until the inherited assets are depleted -- at which point there may be nothing left to pay for the extras, such as a vacation or a specially equipped vehicle. This is where a planning technique called a special needs trust can provide a flexible solution.
The Trust Solution
The purpose of a special needs trust is to provide funds to enrich a disabled individual's quality of life without jeopardizing his or her eligibility for government assistance. For this reason, care must be taken when drafting the trust document to specify that trust assets are to be used to meet the supplemental needs of the individual -- needs that go beyond food, shelter, clothing, and medical services.
A special needs trust can be established by a parent, grandparent, or other third party during his or her lifetime and/or at death. Such a trust can be incorporated into a will or established as a separate trust document. In the case of an accident resulting in a disability, a special needs trust can be created as a result of a court settlement.
In addition to providing a safe funding mechanism for supplemental expenses, a special needs trust offers other advantages -- namely professional investment management. Assets are typically invested and monitored for the exclusive benefit of the disabled individual.
The Trustee Question
Selecting a trustee of a special needs trust is a critical part of the planning process. As such, an individual (or institution) will be given significant discretion over the distribution of trust fund assets and must administer the trust properly to ensure that its purpose is carried out. In cases where parents may no longer be available or able to attend to their child's affairs, a corporate trustee can serve a valuable role in the management and oversight of trust assets.
Most banks and trust companies will serve as trustee of a special needs trust. Prior to hiring a corporate trustee, however, it is important to determine that the institution has both financial expertise in managing trust funds as well as experience working with individuals who have disabilities. A good solution may be to combine a sibling or other close family member with a corporate trustee. This approach helps to ensure that the personal needs of the child will be fulfilled and that the assets earmarked for his or her care will be properly managed.
In addition to including a special needs trust in the parents' plan, it is recommended that a clause be included in the parents' wills stating their preference as to whom the court should appoint as guardian if one becomes necessary once they are deceased. Often times, informal arrangements that worked while one or both parents were living need to be formalized after the parents pass away.
If you need help planning for the current and future well-being of a child or dependent with special needs, contact your financial advisor. Together with a qualified legal professional, they can help create a plan that provides quality lifetime care for your loved one.
This article offers only an outline; it is not a definitive guide to all possible consequences and implications of any specific trust option. For this reason, be sure to seek advice from knowledgeable legal and financial professionals.
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August 2014 This column is produced by the Financial Planning Association, the membership organization for the financial planning community. It has been modified and is provided by Thomas A. Fisher, a local member of the FPA.
The material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and we make no representations as to its accuracy or completeness. All information and ideas should be discussed in detail with your own adviser prior to implementation in order to determine whether the strategies mentioned are appropriate for your specific situation.