A Special Needs Trust helps families secure long-term support for a loved one with disabilities while preserving eligibility for public benefits. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we prepare trust documents and related estate planning instruments tailored to California rules and local practices. This overview explains how a trust can manage assets, pay for services not covered by public programs, and provide for quality of life without jeopardizing Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income eligibility. We focus on practical planning that aligns with family goals and state regulations, so clients can feel confident their relative’s needs are protected.
Understanding the legal and practical implications of a Special Needs Trust is key to effective planning. This guide covers the types of trusts commonly used, the role of the trustee, and related documents such as a pour-over will and powers of attorney. We discuss funding strategies, ongoing administration matters, and how to coordinate trust benefits with public assistance. Whether you are planning for a child, adult family member, or future care needs, clear documentation and thoughtful decision-making help reduce uncertainty and create a reliable support structure for long-term wellbeing.
A properly drafted Special Needs Trust preserves access to essential public benefits while allowing family funds to pay for supplemental needs that enhance quality of life. The trust can pay for medical expenses not covered by public programs, educational opportunities, therapies, transportation, and other individualized needs. It prevents a direct distribution of assets that could disqualify a person from Medi-Cal or SSI. Additionally, naming a trusted trustee and successor trustees ensures continuity of care and financial oversight, giving families peace of mind that decisions will be made with the beneficiary’s best interests at heart over the long term.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assist clients across California with estate planning matters focused on practical, client-centered solutions. We prepare revocable living trusts, special needs trusts, wills, and supporting documents to ensure a coordinated plan. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, attention to detail, and plans that reflect family priorities. From initial consultations through document drafting and trustee guidance, we provide thorough legal work and hands-on support so families in Castaic and nearby communities can implement durable plans that address both immediate concerns and long-term needs.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal entity that holds and manages assets for a person with disabilities without disqualifying them from means-tested benefits. The trust is drafted to supplement, not replace, public benefits, allowing funds to be used for items and services that enhance quality of life. Trustees manage distributions according to guidelines set in the trust document and applicable law. Proper funding, clear instructions for distributions, and coordination with benefit eligibility rules are essential elements that enable the trust to function as intended and provide sustainable support.
There are different forms of Special Needs Trusts that serve distinct planning needs, including first-party trusts created with the beneficiary’s own assets and third-party trusts funded by family members. Each type has unique rules and implications for eligibility and administration. Selecting the right structure requires a careful review of resources, family goals, and the types of benefits the beneficiary receives. Ongoing trustee duties and recordkeeping are also important to maintain compliance with program rules and to ensure that distributions enhance the beneficiary’s wellbeing without interfering with public assistance.
A Special Needs Trust is designed to hold assets for an individual with disabilities so that those assets do not count as personal resources for government benefit programs. It allows a trustee to make discretionary distributions for supplemental needs such as therapy, personal care items, transportation, and activities that improve quality of life. The trust language defines permitted distributions and may include provisions for successor trustees, trustee powers, and coordination with benefit eligibility. Families often use these trusts when the beneficiary has limited income and relies on Medi-Cal or SSI for core supports.
Essential components of an effective Special Needs Trust include clear funding instructions, comprehensive distribution guidelines, trustee selection criteria, and recordkeeping requirements. The trust must specify the trustee’s authority to pay for allowable supplemental items and outline procedures for documenting expenditures. Funding can come from gifts, inheritances, settlements, or a beneficiary’s own assets in some circumstances. Trustees must understand how distributions impact public benefits and maintain accurate records to justify discretionary payments. Periodic reviews and updates help ensure the trust continues to reflect changing circumstances and legal developments.
Understanding common terms used in trust and benefits planning helps families make informed decisions. The glossary below explains phrases you will encounter when creating or administering a Special Needs Trust, such as trustee, beneficiary, payback provision, first-party trust, and supplemental needs. Clear terminology supports better communication among family members, trustees, and attorneys and reduces confusion during trust administration. Familiarity with these concepts also promotes smoother coordination with Medi-Cal and federal benefits programs, ensuring distributions are structured appropriately to preserve eligibility.
The trustee is the individual or institution responsible for managing the trust’s assets and making distributions for the beneficiary’s benefit according to the trust document. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to act in the beneficiary’s best interest, follow distribution guidelines, maintain accurate records, and coordinate decisions with a beneficiary’s benefit programs. Trustee responsibilities may include investing trust assets, paying bills, and making discretionary purchases that improve quality of life while preserving eligibility for public assistance. Selecting trustees who are organized and trustworthy is an important part of planning.
A first-party Special Needs Trust is funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary, often arising from an inheritance, settlement, or personal savings. California law permits such trusts when certain conditions are met, and they often include a payback provision requiring that remaining funds be used to reimburse the state for public benefits paid to the beneficiary after their death. Because these trusts involve the beneficiary’s own resources, they require careful drafting and administration to maintain benefit eligibility while providing appropriate support during the beneficiary’s lifetime.
A third-party Special Needs Trust is created and funded by someone other than the beneficiary, such as a parent, grandparent, or other family member. These trusts are commonly used to leave assets to a disabled beneficiary without affecting their eligibility for means-tested benefits. Unlike first-party trusts, third-party trusts typically do not require a payback to the state and can provide greater flexibility in how remaining funds are distributed after the beneficiary’s death. Proper drafting ensures the trust supplements benefits without supplanting them.
A payback provision requires that any remaining funds in a first-party Special Needs Trust be used to reimburse the state for Medi-Cal or other public benefits paid on behalf of the beneficiary after the beneficiary’s death. This requirement affects the long-term distribution strategy and may influence whether families choose a first-party or third-party trust. Clear language regarding payback obligations and successor beneficiaries helps guide trustees in planning for final distributions while complying with state reimbursement rules.
When planning for a loved one with disabilities, families should evaluate multiple approaches, including different trust types, direct gifts with guardianship arrangements, and coordinated estate planning documents like pour-over wills and powers of attorney. Each option has advantages and trade-offs depending on available assets, the beneficiary’s age, benefit eligibility, and family goals. A third-party trust might be preferred when family resources are available and preservation of benefits without payback is desired. First-party trusts can protect beneficiary funds while satisfying state reimbursement rules. Thorough analysis helps determine the best fit for each family’s situation.
A more limited planning approach can be appropriate when a beneficiary already receives consistent benefits, has minimal assets, and enjoys reliable family or community support for daily needs. In such cases, simple documents like a designated payee arrangement, a modest third-party trust, or specific beneficiary directives may meet immediate needs without creating complex administrative obligations. Families may opt for straightforward planning when their primary goal is to supplement basic care rather than oversee extensive trust administration, allowing them to conserve resources while still providing targeted assistance.
Limited planning can also be suitable for short-term circumstances, such as temporary funding needs after a small settlement or to cover transitional expenses while longer-term arrangements are developed. In these situations, a narrowly tailored trust or carefully drafted directive can address immediate concerns like therapy or equipment purchases without engaging in comprehensive estate restructuring. This path allows families to respond quickly to pressing needs while reserving the option to expand or modify the plan as circumstances evolve and additional resources become available.
Comprehensive planning can be vital when families wish to ensure long-term security and coherent coordination among multiple documents and funding sources. A full estate plan typically includes a trust tailored to the beneficiary’s needs, a pour-over will, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and beneficiary designations aligned with the trust. This holistic approach helps prevent conflicting instructions, reduces the risk of inadvertent benefit disruption, and provides clear succession plans for trustees and guardians. It creates a durable framework that adapts to changing needs over time.
Families with complex financial arrangements, significant assets, or multiple benefit programs may require comprehensive planning to address interactions between funding sources and benefit eligibility rules. Complex situations benefit from detailed trust provisions, clear spending priorities, and careful coordination with retirement accounts, life insurance, and potential creditor issues. Comprehensive plans anticipate contingencies and provide trustees with guidance to manage financial, medical, and living arrangement decisions in a manner that preserves benefits and honors family intentions over the long term.
A comprehensive planning approach reduces the risk of accidental disqualification from public benefits and clarifies how supplemental funds should be used to improve a beneficiary’s quality of life. It aligns estate documents, beneficiary designations, and trust funding strategies to create consistent directions for fiduciaries and family members. Comprehensive plans also facilitate smooth trustee transitions and make it easier to defend decisions to agencies administering benefits. Families gain confidence knowing that legal documents support coordinated care and financial oversight over the long term.
Comprehensive planning also enhances flexibility by anticipating future needs and including discretionary powers that allow trustees to respond to changing circumstances. It can help minimize administrative burdens through clear procedures and designated decision-makers, reducing family conflict and uncertainty. Thoughtful planning can preserve more assets for the beneficiary’s benefit and for potential legacy distributions, while also setting realistic expectations about how public benefits and trust funds will interact throughout the beneficiary’s life and after their passing.
A comprehensive trust structure helps trustees coordinate discretionary spending with Medi-Cal and SSI rules to avoid inadvertently affecting eligibility. Clear spending directives, recordkeeping protocols, and guidelines for allowable distributions reduce the risk of conflicts with benefit administrators. This coordination allows trust funds to provide meaningful enhancements to a beneficiary’s life, such as therapies, specialized equipment, housing supports, and recreational activities, while core needs remain covered by public benefits. Well-drafted provisions encourage responsible management and continuity of support.
Comprehensive planning provides families with a durable framework that anticipates changes in medical needs, living arrangements, and financial circumstances. By setting out successor trustee provisions, communication plans, and contingencies for major life events, a robust plan reduces uncertainty and potential disputes. Families can feel more confident that the beneficiary will receive consistent support and that fiduciaries will have clear authority and direction. Long-term stability also helps preserve family relationships by minimizing the administrative and emotional strain associated with ad hoc decision-making.
Start planning by documenting the beneficiary’s current and anticipated needs, including medical care, therapies, housing, transportation, and recreational activities. Understanding the likely costs and types of support that would meaningfully improve quality of life helps determine appropriate funding levels and trust distribution priorities. A needs assessment also clarifies whether a first-party or third-party trust is most suitable and how to structure distributions. Regularly revisiting the assessment ensures the plan remains aligned with evolving circumstances and available public benefits.
Properly funding the trust and aligning beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance are essential steps. Without effective funding, a trust may not serve its intended purpose. Review titles, beneficiary forms, and account designations to ensure they align with the trust plan. For third-party trusts, clear instructions on how assets are to be delivered at the appropriate time preserve family intentions. Regular reviews after major life events, financial changes, or changes in public benefits law help maintain the effectiveness of the arrangement.
Families consider Special Needs Trust planning to protect a loved one’s access to public benefits while providing meaningful supplemental support. Planning addresses practical matters such as paying for therapies, equipment, and services not covered by Medi-Cal or SSI, and it establishes a clear decision-making structure for financial matters. By creating trust provisions that reflect family values and priorities, parents and caregivers can reduce uncertainty about their relative’s future care. Planning also enables orderly transitions of responsibility and reduces the likelihood of disputes about funds and care decisions.
Another reason to pursue this planning is to create a sustainable funding strategy that balances current needs with long-term goals. Trusts can be funded from a variety of sources, including inheritances, life insurance proceeds, and gifts, allowing families to leave resources that support the beneficiary without jeopardizing essential benefits. Thoughtful documentation of wishes and trustee powers helps ensure that funds are used as intended and that fiduciaries understand their duties. This planning helps provide steady, dependable support over the beneficiary’s lifetime.
Common circumstances prompting Special Needs Trust planning include an inheritance or personal injury settlement, aging caregivers seeking to secure future care, changes in benefits eligibility, or family members wanting to designate funds for supplemental support without endangering public benefits. A trust can also be appropriate when parents plan for long-term living arrangements or anticipate expensive therapies or services that fall outside government programs. Addressing these situations proactively helps ensure continuity of care and prevents unintended consequences that could reduce benefits.
When a beneficiary receives an inheritance or settlement, placing those funds into a properly drafted trust can prevent loss of means-tested benefits. A first-party trust or structured third-party trust may be necessary depending on the source of funds and the beneficiary’s current programs. Thoughtful planning at the time assets are received helps avoid emergency measures later and provides a roadmap for trustee management, disbursement priorities, and recordkeeping practices needed to maintain eligibility for Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income.
When caregivers age or face their own health challenges, establishing a Special Needs Trust clarifies who will manage assets and make decisions for the beneficiary. The trust can name successor trustees and outline expected methods of support, reducing the risk of sudden disruptions in care. Planning in advance allows older caregivers to choose trusted fiduciaries and provide detailed instructions for how funds should be used to maintain the beneficiary’s standard of living and access to enriching services over the long term.
Families relying on a mix of public benefits, private support, and family contributions often need a trust to coordinate these resources effectively. A Special Needs Trust can serve as a centralized tool to supplement public benefits with targeted spending, manage contributions from multiple relatives, and maintain transparent records. This coordination helps trustees prioritize spending in ways that complement benefits rather than replace them, ensuring the beneficiary receives consistent care and access to services that enhance wellbeing.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assist families in Castaic and surrounding Los Angeles County communities with special needs and estate planning matters. We prepare trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and other documents designed to create a coordinated plan. Our office helps clients understand how California law and local practices affect trust administration, funding strategies, and benefit eligibility. We provide practical guidance to help families implement plans that meet immediate needs and provide for long-term stability for their loved ones.
Clients turn to our firm for careful, practical planning that focuses on preserving benefits while enhancing quality of life. We draft tailored trust documents and coordinate supporting estate planning instruments to create cohesive plans that reflect family priorities. Our process aims to simplify complex legal rules into actionable steps, support trustees with clear instructions, and help families plan for both current needs and future contingencies. This approach reduces uncertainty and fosters long-term financial stability for beneficiaries.
We emphasize thorough communication during consultations to understand each family’s unique circumstances and objectives. Plan options are explained in clear terms so families can make informed decisions about funding, trustee choices, and distribution priorities. Our office prepares the necessary documents and provides guidance on trustee duties, recordkeeping, and coordination with Medi-Cal and SSI. Regular reviews of the plan help ensure it remains effective as personal situations and public benefit rules change over time.
In working with families, we stress practical administration techniques and caregiver-friendly documentation to ease transitions when responsibilities shift. We assist with implementing funding strategies, aligning beneficiary designations, and explaining how trust provisions affect eligibility for public assistance. Our goal is to make the planning process understandable and manageable so families can focus on care, not administrative complexity. We also provide referrals to complementary services when needed, such as financial planners or care coordinators.
Our planning process begins with an in-depth consultation to assess the beneficiary’s current supports, benefits, and family goals. We gather financial and medical context, review existing documents, and discuss funding options. From there, we recommend a tailored trust structure and prepare draft documents for review. After execution, we provide implementation guidance on funding the trust, aligning beneficiary designations, and trustee responsibilities. Periodic reviews are encouraged to adjust the plan as circumstances or laws change, ensuring ongoing protection and clarity.
The first step focuses on gathering information about the beneficiary’s benefits, financial resources, medical needs, and family objectives. We review current documents and discuss potential funding sources such as inheritances, settlements, and insurance proceeds. This assessment determines the most appropriate trust type and identifies immediate actions to safeguard benefits. We also discuss trustee selection and potential successor arrangements, laying the groundwork for a trust that responds to both present concerns and long-term goals.
We carefully review the beneficiary’s current public benefits, income, and assets to assess eligibility risks and coordination needs. This includes understanding Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income, and other local programs, as well as private resources that could affect eligibility. Identifying potential issues early helps shape a trust structure and funding plan that preserves core benefits while directing additional resources to supplemental needs. This review informs drafting decisions and trustee guidance.
During the initial meeting we discuss how the family envisions supplemental support, preferred trustees, and the level of trustee discretion desired. Conversations cover priorities such as housing, medical care, enrichment activities, and long-term asset distribution. Families are encouraged to consider backup trustees, communication plans, and reporting expectations. Clear alignment on these topics helps produce a trust document that reflects family intentions and provides practical guidance for those charged with administration.
Once the trust structure is selected, we draft the trust document and related estate planning instruments tailored to California law. The draft includes distribution guidelines, trustee powers, successor trustee provisions, and payback language when necessary. We review the documents with the family, make revisions based on feedback, and finalize the plan. Clear, precise language helps prevent misinterpretation and supports consistent administration aligned with benefit rules and family goals.
In addition to the trust itself, we prepare supporting documents such as pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and HIPAA authorizations. These documents ensure that assets and health decisions are handled consistently with the trust plan and provide legal mechanisms for financial and medical decision-making. Together they create a comprehensive estate plan that addresses both immediate and future needs of the beneficiary and the family.
We guide clients through reviewing final drafts, answering questions, and explaining the practical implications of key provisions. After approval, documents are signed, witnessed, and notarized as required under California law. We provide instructions for safe storage and distribution of copies to trustees and family members. Clear execution procedures help ensure the plan is legally effective and ready for implementation when funding and administration begin.
After execution, properly funding the trust is essential for it to function as intended. Funding may include retitling assets, naming the trust as beneficiary of life insurance or retirement accounts, or transferring settlement proceeds. We provide guidance on common funding methods and coordinate with financial institutions when needed. Once funded, trustees must follow recordkeeping practices, make distributions consistent with benefit rules, and conduct periodic reviews to adjust to changing needs or laws.
Funding strategies may involve changing account titles, executing beneficiary designation forms, and documenting transfers to the trust. Proper documentation ensures that assets are clearly identified as trust property and supports trustee decisions. We assist with communicating funding steps to financial institutions and provide checklists for maintaining records. Thoughtful funding reduces administrative confusion and helps trustees demonstrate that distributions were made in a manner that preserves eligibility for public benefits.
Trustees are responsible for prudent asset management, accurate recordkeeping, and making distributions consistent with the trust’s terms and benefit rules. Periodic reviews of the trust document, funding status, and beneficiary needs help ensure the plan remains effective. We recommend scheduled check-ins to update documents after major life events, financial changes, or shifts in public benefits policy. Proactive maintenance supports continuous protection and provides clarity for future decision-makers.
A first-party Special Needs Trust is funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as an inheritance, settlement, or personal savings. California law allows first-party trusts under specific conditions and typically requires a payback to the state for Medi-Cal or other public benefits paid on the beneficiary’s behalf after their death. A third-party Special Needs Trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary, like a parent or relative, and usually does not carry a state payback requirement. Both trust forms aim to preserve eligibility for means-tested benefits while providing supplemental support. Choosing between the two depends on the source of funds and family goals. First-party trusts protect the beneficiary’s own assets while ensuring continued access to essential public benefits. Third-party trusts offer flexibility for families who wish to leave resources to a beneficiary without state reimbursement requirements. Reviewing the beneficiary’s benefits, potential payback obligations, and long-term objectives helps determine the most appropriate structure.
A Special Needs Trust is designed to supplement public benefits by providing funds for items and services that public programs do not cover, while avoiding counting trust assets as the beneficiary’s personal resources. When drafted and administered properly, the trust can allow a beneficiary to remain eligible for Medi-Cal and SSI by ensuring that resources are held by the trust rather than owned outright by the beneficiary. Trustee discretion and careful documentation of distributions are important to maintain compliance with program rules. Trust administration must be sensitive to benefit program rules, as certain types of distributions could affect eligibility. Trustees should avoid making payments that resemble direct support for basic living costs if that would be interpreted as personal income by benefit administrators. Instead, discretionary spending on supplemental needs such as medical equipment, therapies, and enrichment supports typically complements public benefits without reducing eligibility.
A trustee should be someone who is trustworthy, organized, and able to follow the terms of the trust and applicable laws. Many families choose a trusted family member, a professional fiduciary, or a combination of co-trustees to provide oversight. The ideal trustee understands the beneficiary’s needs, can maintain accurate records, and is willing to coordinate with benefit agencies when necessary. Naming successor trustees ensures continuity if the initial trustee becomes unavailable. It is also important to outline trustee powers and reporting expectations in the trust document. Trustees may have authority to make discretionary distributions, manage investments, and hire professionals for accounting or caregiving support. Clear guidance reduces ambiguity and helps trustees act in a manner that supports the beneficiary’s wellbeing and preserves program eligibility.
A payback provision is a clause commonly required in first-party Special Needs Trusts that mandates repayment to the state for public benefits, such as Medi-Cal, provided to the beneficiary during their lifetime. After the beneficiary’s death, any remaining trust assets may be used to reimburse the state for benefits paid on the beneficiary’s behalf before distributing remaining funds to other designated heirs, if allowed. This provision ensures that the state can recover expenditures related to the beneficiary’s care. Because payback obligations affect long-term distribution plans, families sometimes consider third-party trusts when they prefer to avoid state reimbursement requirements. Whether a payback applies depends on the trust type and funding source, so careful review of the trust structure and applicable law is necessary to determine obligations and plan accordingly.
A Special Needs Trust can be funded through various methods, including gifts from family members, proceeds from life insurance policies, inheritances directed into the trust, settlement funds, or by naming the trust as beneficiary on retirement accounts and payable-on-death accounts. Proper funding often requires retitling assets, updating beneficiary designations, and documenting transfers to show that assets belong to the trust. Taking these steps ensures the trust can serve its intended purpose of providing supplemental support without affecting benefit eligibility. Timing and documentation are important when funding a trust. For first-party trusts, funds belonging to the beneficiary must be transferred under the trust terms in ways that comply with program rules. For third-party trusts, family members can place funds into the trust by gifting or designating the trust as a beneficiary. Reviewing funding steps with legal counsel and financial institutions helps avoid mistakes that could undermine the trust’s effectiveness.
A Special Needs Trust can be integrated into a broader estate plan that includes a revocable living trust, pour-over will, and other supporting documents. Often, a revocable trust is used to hold family assets during a settlor’s life and then direct assets to a Special Needs Trust for a beneficiary upon the settlor’s death. This approach provides seamless transfer and helps ensure that assets intended for a disabled relative are received by the Special Needs Trust rather than passing directly to the beneficiary and risking benefit eligibility. Coordinating beneficiary designations, pour-over provisions, and trust funding instructions is important to ensure the Special Needs Trust receives intended assets. Clear drafting and follow-through reduce the likelihood of unintended distributions and help maintain the integrity of both the revocable trust and the Special Needs Trust over time.
Documents that commonly accompany a Special Needs Trust include a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and sometimes a certification of trust for presentation to financial institutions. These documents work together to manage financial and medical decision-making, ensure assets are directed into the trust when appropriate, and provide trustees access to necessary information. Having a coordinated set of documents helps avoid gaps and conflicting instructions that can complicate administration. A pour-over will helps direct assets into the trust upon a settlor’s death, the financial power of attorney authorizes an agent to manage finances if the settlor becomes incapacitated, and the advance health care directive records medical preferences and appoints a decision-maker. Together these documents provide a comprehensive legal framework supporting both the trust and the beneficiary’s broader needs.
A Special Needs Trust should be reviewed periodically, particularly after major life events such as changes in the beneficiary’s needs, a caregiver’s health change, receipt of a significant inheritance, or changes in public benefits law. Regular reviews help ensure that trust provisions remain aligned with the beneficiary’s circumstances and that funding is up to date. Scheduling reviews every few years or after material changes provides an opportunity to update trustee instructions, successor provisions, and distribution priorities. Periodic reviews also allow families to revisit funding strategies, beneficiary designations, and trustee roles. Keeping documentation current helps trustees administer the trust effectively and reduces the risk of unanticipated problems that could affect the beneficiary’s benefits or future financial support.
What happens to trust funds after the beneficiary dies depends on the trust’s terms. For third-party Special Needs Trusts, the document typically specifies remainder beneficiaries who may receive remaining assets according to the settlor’s wishes. For first-party trusts, state payback requirements often apply, requiring reimbursement to the state for public benefits paid to the beneficiary before any remaining funds are distributed to other heirs. The trust should clearly describe distribution priorities and any conditions governing remainders. Clear remainder provisions help trustees follow final distribution instructions and ensure compliance with any payback obligations. Naming contingent beneficiaries and including guidance for how remaining funds should be handled reduces ambiguity and protects the settlor’s intentions regarding legacy planning.
Ensuring appropriate trustee distributions starts with precise trust language that defines permitted uses and distribution priorities. The trust should outline allowable categories of supplemental spending and set expectations for documentation and reporting. Trustees who follow those written guidelines and maintain detailed records of payments and invoices provide evidence that distributions were made to benefit the beneficiary without undermining public benefits. Clear instructions minimize discretionary conflicts and guide trustees in day-to-day decisions. Ongoing oversight and periodic reporting to family members can provide additional checks and reassure beneficiaries and caregivers. Including provisions for professional assistance, such as accounting or care management services, can help trustees make prudent decisions and maintain compliance with benefit rules while improving the beneficiary’s quality of life.
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