Planning for a loved one with disabilities requires careful attention to legal and financial arrangements that preserve eligibility for public benefits while protecting long-term security. A special needs trust is one tool families in Willows and Glenn County use to set aside funds for supplemental care without jeopardizing Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we help clients understand how a trust can complement public benefits and provide practical benefits such as paying for therapies, educational supports, transportation, and other quality-of-life needs. This introduction explains why tailored planning matters and how a trust can be designed to meet individual goals.
Deciding on a path forward can feel overwhelming when managing a family member’s long-term needs and benefit eligibility. We break down common options, document choices, and planning steps so families in Willows can make informed decisions. The process begins with a thoughtful review of current benefits, anticipated needs, and available resources, then moves toward drafting clear, durable documents that reflect the trustee’s duties and the beneficiary’s entitlements. Our office often coordinates with financial advisors, care coordinators, and local agencies to create practical, sustainable plans adapted to a family’s changing circumstances.
Special needs trusts provide a legal framework to protect assets for a person with disabilities while maintaining access to public benefits. For families in Willows, these trusts can fund supplemental needs not covered by government programs, such as transportation, therapies, education, vacation, or home modifications. Trusts can be tailored to preserve eligibility for Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income by ensuring that funds are paid for items or services that enhance quality of life without constituting direct income. Establishing a trust also relieves family caregivers by naming a trustee to manage distributions and recordkeeping over time.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services from San Jose and serves clients throughout California, including Glenn County and Willows. Our practice focuses on clear, practical planning documents such as revocable living trusts, wills, power of attorney documents, and a range of trusts tailored to family needs. We work with individuals and families to identify goals, map out benefit implications, and prepare durable documents that reflect each family’s priorities. Communication and responsiveness are central to our approach, and we aim to guide clients through complex decisions with patience and clarity.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities while protecting eligibility for means-tested public benefits. These trusts can be created during a grantor’s life or funded through a will at death, and they appoint a trustee to manage distributions according to trust terms. Trust language should describe permissible uses, recordkeeping expectations, and the trustee’s authority. Proper drafting is important to avoid creating countable income or resources that could reduce or eliminate a beneficiary’s access to Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income benefits.
There are different types of special needs trusts, including third-party trusts funded by family assets and certain first-party trusts that may be required to include a payback provision for Medi-Cal recovery. The trustee’s role includes maintaining records, making prudent distributions for supplemental needs, and communicating with benefits administrators when necessary. Choosing the right trustee and defining distribution standards helps ensure the beneficiary receives support without losing critical government-provided health care and income supports, and periodic reviews keep the plan aligned with changing rules or circumstances.
A special needs trust is designed to hold assets for a person with disabilities while allowing that person to remain eligible for public assistance programs that have strict asset and income limits. The trust typically permits payments for supplemental needs not provided by government programs, such as recreation, therapies, out-of-pocket medical costs, or transportation. Drafting should distinguish between permitted distributions and those that might count as income. The trust document also names a trustee to manage the funds and provides instructions on recordkeeping and reporting, helping preserve benefits while improving the beneficiary’s quality of life.
Creating a special needs trust involves several key elements: identifying the beneficiary’s needs, choosing the type of trust, drafting clear distribution powers, and selecting a trustee who will steward the assets responsibly. The process typically begins with an intake to gather financial and benefits information, followed by drafting and revisions of trust documents, funding the trust, and providing trustee guidance. Attention to language about permissible uses and mediator clauses helps avoid unintended benefit impacts. After establishment, the trustee must maintain records, file necessary reports, and coordinate distributions to support the beneficiary’s lifestyle and needs.
Understanding common terms helps families navigate trust planning: beneficiary, trustee, payback provision, third-party trust, first-party trust, Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income, and pour-over will are among the frequent phrases encountered. Knowing these terms clarifies how funds will be managed, who has decision-making authority, and what obligations may exist to repay government agencies after a beneficiary’s death. This glossary section provides plain-language definitions so clients feel confident discussing options, ask informed questions, and understand how each choice affects benefits and future planning.
The beneficiary is the person for whose benefit the trust is established. In a special needs trust, the beneficiary is typically an individual with a disability who receives supplemental support from the trust. The trust is written to ensure resources are used to improve the beneficiary’s quality of life without disqualifying them from means-tested public benefits. The beneficiary may receive indirect assistance, such as payment for services or goods, while the trustee manages and oversees the trust assets and distributions according to the trust terms.
The trustee is the individual or entity responsible for managing the trust assets and making distributions for the beneficiary’s needs. Duties generally include maintaining accurate records, investing prudently, evaluating distribution requests against trust provisions, and ensuring distributions do not jeopardize benefit eligibility. Trustees also coordinate with care providers and may need to account to government agencies. Choosing a trustee involves considering trustworthiness, financial judgment, and the ability to handle administrative responsibilities over the long term.
A payback provision requires that any remaining trust assets be used to reimburse certain public benefits programs, such as Medi-Cal, for expenses they paid on behalf of the beneficiary after the beneficiary’s death. This is often a feature of first-party special needs trusts funded with the beneficiary’s own assets. Families should understand how payback provisions affect residual distributions, and alternative planning strategies can sometimes be used to direct remaining assets to other loved ones or causes while still respecting legal requirements.
A third-party special needs trust is funded with assets belonging to someone other than the beneficiary, such as parents or grandparents, and typically does not require a payback to government programs. It offers flexibility to provide long-term supplemental support without counting against the beneficiary’s personal asset limits. Third-party trusts are commonly used in estate plans where family members wish to leave funds for a loved one with disabilities while preserving the beneficiary’s eligibility for public benefits and providing protections for those funds through trust management.
Families often weigh several planning tools: special needs trusts, simply leaving assets in a will, relying on public benefits alone, or using joint accounts. Each option has trade-offs. Leaving assets outright can disqualify a beneficiary from means-tested benefits. A properly drafted trust preserves benefit eligibility while providing supplemental funds. Wills may be used to fund a trust at death but do not control assets during the grantor’s lifetime. Evaluating options involves reviewing the beneficiary’s current and future needs, anticipated medical costs, and the desire to protect assets and autonomy over distributions.
A more limited approach can work when available assets are modest and the beneficiary’s needs are narrow and unlikely to change significantly. In those situations, families may use careful budgeting combined with clear instructions for caregivers to provide support without forming a formal trust. Simpler arrangements reduce administrative costs and complexity, but they should be evaluated carefully because even modest transfers can affect Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income eligibility. Documenting intentions and consulting on the benefit impacts helps families make decisions that preserve necessary assistance.
When a beneficiary’s public benefits adequately cover housing, health care, and daily living supports, families may decide against creating a trust right away. This can make sense where supplemental care needs are minimal, or where relatives can provide occasional assistance. Even so, families should monitor changes in needs and resources and consider including contingent planning in broader estate documents. A modest plan can be revisited over time to add trust protections if circumstances evolve or if additional assets become available.
A comprehensive plan is often necessary when a beneficiary has complex medical, educational, or housing needs that will require sustained supplemental funding over many years. Trusts can be customized to address these needs, designate prudent distribution criteria, and appoint a trustee with the authority to manage investments and payments. Comprehensive planning includes coordinating trusts with public benefits, retirement accounts, and estate documents to create continuity of care and funding. Families with multiple sources of assets or uncertain future needs often benefit from a detailed, integrated plan that anticipates likely scenarios.
When the goal is both to preserve government benefits and to protect family assets for controlled use by the beneficiary, a comprehensive trust approach helps accomplish that balance. Drafting precise distribution standards and naming backup trustees helps manage the beneficiary’s needs and prevents misuse of funds. Comprehensive planning also covers successor arrangements, coordinating healthcare directives, powers of attorney, and pour-over wills to ensure assets transfer smoothly without disrupting support. Periodic reviews keep documents aligned with law changes and evolving family circumstances.
A comprehensive approach reduces the risk of benefit loss, coordinates funding sources to fill gaps in public coverage, and clarifies decision-making responsibilities. It also offers peace of mind by documenting how funds should be used for housing modifications, therapies, transportation, education, and personal enrichment. For caregivers, a formal plan sets expectations for future care and eases transitions if a caregiver becomes unable to continue serving. The overall result is a practical, durable plan that adapts to changing needs while safeguarding access to critical public programs.
Comprehensive plans also address end-of-life considerations and how remaining assets will be handled, whether through payback provisions or distribution to family members. Including related estate planning documents such as powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and pour-over wills provides administrative continuity. Regular reviews and trustee guidance ensure the plan remains effective as laws and benefit rules change. Families often find that the clarity and protections a comprehensive plan provides outweigh the initial work and cost of establishing it.
One primary benefit of a well-drafted trust is preserving access to public benefits that rely on strict asset and income tests. By placing resources into a properly structured trust and setting distribution rules that align with benefit program rules, a family can provide meaningful supplemental support without those funds being counted as personal assets. This preserves Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income eligibility while allowing the beneficiary to enjoy items and services that improve daily living and wellbeing, which would otherwise be unaffordable or unavailable.
Comprehensive plans usually name a trustee and include clear instructions for long-term management, reducing the administrative burden on family caregivers. Trustees provide continuity through life changes, maintain records, handle payments, and coordinate with care providers and public agencies. This arrangement can protect a beneficiary from mismanagement or rapid depletion of funds, and it ensures that distributions are consistent with the family’s goals. Naming successor trustees and providing detailed guidance also supports a smooth transition if primary caregivers can no longer fulfill their roles.
Keep detailed records of the beneficiary’s current benefits, medical needs, therapies, and expected future care. Accurate documentation helps trustees make informed decisions about permissible distributions and avoid actions that could affect eligibility. Maintain copies of benefit award letters, recent medical evaluations, and a summary of monthly income and expenses. This information is useful both during initial planning and for ongoing administration, ensuring that distributions target gaps in coverage and align with long-term goals for the beneficiary’s wellbeing.
Laws, benefit rules, and family circumstances change, so schedule periodic reviews of trust documents and related estate plans. Reassess the trust’s distribution guidelines, trustee selections, and funding sources when major life events occur, such as changes in financial resources, health, or living arrangements. Updating documents as necessary helps ensure the trust continues to meet the beneficiary’s needs and remains compliant with relevant regulations. Ongoing reviews also provide an opportunity to clarify any ambiguities and incorporate improvements.
Families consider a special needs trust to preserve public benefits while providing supplemental financial support for a loved one with disabilities. Trusts can be tailored to fund needs not covered by Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income, such as therapies, education-related expenses, recreation, and transportation. They also name a trustee to manage funds and make distributions responsibly. For many families, a trust reduces uncertainty about future care, protects assets from unintended use, and offers a structured approach to supporting a beneficiary’s long-term wellbeing without jeopardizing essential support services.
A trust is particularly relevant when families anticipate needing ongoing financial support for medical equipment, behavioral therapies, or home adaptations that public programs do not cover. Trusts also help plan for changes in caregiver capacity by appointing successors and providing clear instructions for management. Additionally, incorporating a trust into a broader estate plan ensures assets designated for the beneficiary are handled consistently after the death of a parent or caregiver, reducing the risk of disputes and protecting the intended purpose of those resources.
Circumstances that commonly prompt families to establish a trust include the receipt of an inheritance or settlement, the desire to protect assets for a beneficiary with disabilities, or changes in caregiving capacity. Families also set up trusts when a beneficiary is aging out of child-focused programs, or when planning to leave assets at death without disqualifying benefit eligibility. Unexpected windfalls, lifetime gifts from relatives, or planning for long-term care needs often make a trust an appropriate tool to maintain benefits while providing supplemental financial support.
When a beneficiary receives an inheritance or settlement, those funds can make the individual ineligible for means-tested benefits if received directly. Placing such funds into a properly drafted trust preserves access to Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income while enabling the trustee to use the funds for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs. Trusts drafted to accept third-party contributions or to receive assets via a pour-over will are common solutions to manage unexpected inflows without disrupting critical benefits.
If a primary caregiver becomes unable to continue providing care due to illness, employment changes, or relocation, families often turn to trusts as a way to ensure continuity of financial support and decision-making. Naming successor trustees and outlining distribution instructions helps maintain consistent support for the beneficiary during transitions. A trust also clarifies financial roles among family members and reduces the administrative burden on those who step into caregiving or trustee roles.
When a beneficiary will need ongoing services beyond what public benefits fully cover, families create trusts to fill gaps and provide for enrichment and stability over time. Trust distributions can be tailored for supplemental therapies, specialized equipment, transportation, or community activities that contribute to a better quality of life. Planning ahead with a trust assures that funds are available and managed prudently to support the beneficiary’s long-term needs and evolving circumstances.
Although the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman are based in San Jose, we serve clients throughout California including Willows and the surrounding communities in Glenn County. We offer personalized planning by phone, video, or in-person when appropriate, and strive to make the process manageable for families balancing caregiving responsibilities. Our team assists with trust drafting, funding strategies, coordination with benefits administrators, and trustee training to ensure families have the tools they need to support a loved one with disabilities effectively and compassionately.
Families choose the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman for thoughtful guidance on trust drafting, estate integration, and practical administration. We prioritize clear communication and provide straightforward explanations of how different trust options affect benefit eligibility and long-term funding. Our approach focuses on aligning legal documents with real-world caregiving needs, ensuring trustees and family members understand their roles and the trust’s intended uses. We help clients anticipate potential issues and create flexible plans that adapt as needs evolve.
We also provide hands-on assistance with funding trusts, preparing pour-over wills, and coordinating related documents such as powers of attorney and advance health care directives. This coordinated approach reduces the risk of unintended outcomes and creates continuity between lifetime planning and testamentary provisions. Our office values transparency about timelines, fees, and administrative responsibilities so families know what to expect at each stage of the planning process.
Clients appreciate that we serve individuals across California, offering flexible meeting options to accommodate caregiving schedules. We work collaboratively with financial advisors, care coordinators, and community agencies to implement plans that meet beneficiary needs. Our goal is to create reliable, well-documented arrangements that protect access to benefits while enhancing the beneficiary’s quality of life through thoughtful trust provisions and trustee guidance.
Our process begins with an intake to gather information about the beneficiary’s benefits, financial resources, and care needs. From there we assess appropriate trust options, draft documents tailored to those needs, and provide guidance for funding the trust and training trustees. We also coordinate related estate planning documents so assets flow as intended. The goal is to produce durable, clear documents and practical administration plans that provide ongoing support while preserving access to public benefits.
In the first phase we collect details about the beneficiary’s benefits, medical history, monthly needs, and any incoming assets or inheritances. This review clarifies how different funding sources affect benefit eligibility and informs trust structure decisions. We also discuss the family’s goals for distributions and trustee responsibilities. Gathering accurate documentation at the outset helps avoid delays and ensures the drafted trust aligns with the beneficiary’s current and anticipated circumstances.
During the initial consultation, we focus on understanding the beneficiary’s day-to-day needs, long-term care plans, and the family’s priorities for asset use. We explore whether an immediate trust, a will-funded trust, or other arrangements best meet those goals. The conversation also covers trustee selection and the types of distributions that will be permitted. Clear goal setting at this stage provides the foundation for draft documents that reflect the family’s intentions.
We review benefit award letters, current income and asset statements, and documentation of ongoing medical or educational services. This inventory determines how trust funding and distributions will interact with Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income, and other programs. Accurate documentation supports precise drafting and reduces the risk of unintended benefit consequences. We also identify any immediate funding needs or actions required to preserve eligibility during the planning process.
After information gathering, we prepare trust documents that reflect the beneficiary’s needs and the family’s objectives. Drafting addresses permissible distributions, trustee powers, successor trustee provisions, and any required payback language. We also prepare complementary documents such as pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives. Drafting includes opportunities for client review and revisions to ensure the documents match the intended use of funds and administrative expectations.
Trust language is crafted to permit distributions for supplemental needs while avoiding direct payments that would be considered income to the beneficiary. The document outlines categories of allowable expenses, such as transportation, enrichment activities, therapies, and specialized equipment. Clear distribution standards help trustees make consistent decisions and support the beneficiary’s quality of life without affecting benefit eligibility. The drafting process includes reviewing hypothetical distribution scenarios to confirm desired outcomes.
Once draft documents are prepared, clients review and suggest any changes before finalization. We provide step-by-step guidance for funding the trust, whether through lifetime gifts, beneficiary assets, or transfers at death via a pour-over will. Funding is essential to the trust’s effectiveness, so we explain how to retitle accounts, fund beneficiary-designated accounts properly, and coordinate with financial institutions to complete transfers. Clear guidance helps prevent common funding mistakes.
After documents are signed and the trust is funded, we offer trustee orientation covering recordkeeping, permissible distributions, and reporting obligations. Trustees learn how to document expenses, coordinate with benefits administrators, and maintain clear communication with family members. We also recommend periodic reviews to update documents as laws or circumstances change. Ongoing administration ensures the trust continues to serve its intended purpose and supports the beneficiary’s evolving needs over time.
Trustee guidance focuses on maintaining thorough records of all distributions, deposits, and communications related to the beneficiary’s care. Good recordkeeping supports transparency and can be critical if benefits agencies request information. Trustees are trained to evaluate distribution requests against the trust terms and to consider the impact of any payment on public benefits. Clear, consistent practices reduce the risk of benefit complications and provide a defensible administrative history for the trust.
We encourage families to schedule periodic reviews of trust documents and related estate plans, especially after major life changes or when benefit rules are updated. Reviews allow for updates to trustee appointments, distribution standards, and funding strategies to reflect new circumstances. Regular check-ins also provide an opportunity to address administrative questions and coordinate with other advisors. Ongoing attention helps maintain the trust’s effectiveness and adapt the plan to changing needs.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities while preserving eligibility for means-tested public benefits like Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income. The trust permits payments for supplemental needs that government programs do not cover, such as therapies, specialized equipment, transportation, and enrichment activities. Properly drafted distribution provisions ensure that funds are used to enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life without being treated as personal income or countable resources by benefits administrators, which helps maintain ongoing eligibility. Creating and maintaining a trust requires careful attention to document language, funding mechanisms, and trustee responsibilities. The trustee manages distributions, maintains records, and coordinates with care providers and benefits agencies as needed. Families should consider how the trust will be funded, whether a payback provision is required, and who will serve as trustee. Periodic reviews help ensure the trust remains aligned with current laws and the beneficiary’s evolving needs, and proper administration reduces the risk of unintended benefit impacts.
Selecting a trustee involves considering a person or institution that demonstrates reliability, good judgment, and the willingness to handle administrative duties over time. Trustees must keep accurate records, make distribution decisions consistent with the trust’s terms, and coordinate with benefits programs to avoid jeopardizing eligibility. Some families choose a trusted relative for personal knowledge of the beneficiary’s needs, while others appoint a professional fiduciary or trust company to provide continuity and administrative support. It is also important to name successor trustees and to provide clear written guidance about permissible distributions and reporting practices. Trustee training and a detailed letter of direction can support trustees who are unfamiliar with benefit rules. If a professional trustee is selected, families should weigh the additional cost against the value of steady administration and expertise in handling complex fiduciary responsibilities.
Special needs trusts can be funded during a grantor’s lifetime, at death through a pour-over will, or by settlement proceeds and inheritances. Third-party trusts are commonly funded by family members and typically do not require repayment to government programs. First-party trusts created with the beneficiary’s own assets may have payback requirements to reimburse public benefits in certain circumstances. Ensuring proper funding methods and document language is essential to maintain benefit eligibility and accomplish planning goals. When receiving inheritances, families often direct assets into a trust rather than distributing them directly to the beneficiary. Funding steps include retitling accounts, completing beneficiary designations that direct assets to the trust, or transferring assets according to a will. Working through funding actions with financial institutions and coordinating with other advisors helps prevent mistakes that could inadvertently make assets countable for benefit purposes.
A first-party special needs trust is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets and often must include a provision to repay certain public benefits after the beneficiary’s death. This type of trust can preserve eligibility for Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income while using the beneficiary’s resources for supplemental needs during life. In contrast, a third-party trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary, such as parents or grandparents, and usually does not require payback to government programs, giving more flexibility for residual distributions after death. Choosing between a first-party and third-party trust depends on the source of funds and family goals. For example, if family members plan to leave assets to a loved one with disabilities, a third-party trust can preserve benefits without payback obligations. If the beneficiary receives assets directly or through a settlement, a first-party trust may be necessary to preserve eligibility, subject to payback rules and other requirements.
Whether a special needs trust must reimburse Medi-Cal after a beneficiary’s death depends on the trust type and funding source. First-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s own assets often include a payback provision requiring remaining funds to reimburse Medi-Cal for benefits paid. Third-party trusts funded by relatives typically do not require payback and can leave residual assets to other family members or charitable causes according to the trust terms. Understanding the differences at the planning stage helps families set expectations about residual distributions. When a payback provision applies, it is important to consider how much of the trust’s assets might be used for reimbursement and whether alternative arrangements could redirect remaining resources to intended beneficiaries. Families sometimes use careful planning and different trust vehicles to balance the goal of preserving benefits with leaving support for other loved ones or causes after the beneficiary passes away.
Whether trust funds can be used for housing or rent depends on the beneficiary’s benefit situation and the structure of the trust. Direct payment of rent or room and board can sometimes count as income or resources, affecting eligibility for programs like Supplemental Security Income. However, trusts can often pay for certain housing-related expenses or support that does not directly replace a benefit, such as accessibility modifications, rental deposits, utilities, or short-term housing needs that improve quality of life without becoming a substitute for benefit-provided housing supports. Trust drafting should include clear distribution standards regarding housing to guide trustees and avoid unintended benefit impacts. Trustees may also coordinate with benefits administrators to understand acceptable uses. In many cases, making payments to third-party providers for goods or services is a safer approach than direct cash distributions to the beneficiary, helping preserve benefits while addressing housing-related needs.
Trusts and related estate documents should be reviewed periodically and after major life events such as changes in health, family structure, financial circumstances, or significant shifts in public benefits rules. Regular reviews every few years or when new circumstances arise help ensure the trust’s language, trustee appointments, and funding mechanisms remain appropriate. Reviews can also incorporate changes in preferences for trustees or distribution rules, and update coordinate documents like powers of attorney and advance health care directives. Staying proactive about reviews reduces the risk that a trust becomes outdated or ineffective due to legal or personal changes. During reviews, families can confirm funding status, update beneficiary information, and make adjustments that better reflect the beneficiary’s current needs and any new sources of support or income.
Yes, a trust can be an effective tool when a young person is aging out of children’s services and may face gaps in adult services and supports. Planning ahead with a trust allows families to fund supplemental needs that public adult services may not cover, such as vocational supports, therapies, recreational programs, and other services that promote independence and community participation. Establishing clear trustee guidance and distribution standards helps ensure a smooth transition from youth services to adult supports without jeopardizing eligibility. Coordination with transition planners, caseworkers, and adult service providers is important to align trust distributions with available supports and to anticipate additional funding needs. A trust can provide flexible, supplemental funding during the transition period and beyond, ensuring continuity of care and supporting goals for education, employment, and community integration.
A comprehensive estate plan that includes a special needs trust typically also contains a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and guardianship nominations if needed. These documents work together to provide decision-making authority, health care directives, and a mechanism for transferring assets into the trust at death. Including these documents helps ensure that financial and medical decisions can be made smoothly if a caregiver becomes incapacitated and that assets flow into the trust as intended. Other useful documents may include a general assignment of assets to trust, certification of trust for financial institutions, and letters of direction for trustees. Coordinating beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies so they align with trust funding goals is also an important step to avoid unintended consequences and to preserve benefit eligibility for the beneficiary.
To begin creating a special needs trust in Willows, start by gathering documentation about the beneficiary’s benefits, medical needs, current assets, and any incoming funds such as inheritances or settlements. Contact a planning attorney to schedule an initial consultation where you can review goals and available resources. During that meeting, the attorney will explain trust options, discuss trustee selection, and outline the steps for drafting and funding the trust. After deciding on a trust structure, you will review and sign trust documents and receive instructions for funding the trust, which may include retitling accounts or updating beneficiary designations. The process often concludes with trustee orientation and guidance for administration. Ongoing support and periodic reviews are recommended to ensure the trust remains effective and aligned with the beneficiary’s needs.
Criminal Defense
Homicide Defense
Manslaughter
Assault and Battery
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Battery Causing Great Bodily Injury
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order
Arson Defense
Weapons Charges
Illegal Firearm Possessions
Civil Harassment
Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
School Violence Restraining Orders
Violent Crimes Defense
Estate Planning Practice Areas