A Special Needs Trust can provide long-term financial security for a loved one who has disabilities while preserving eligibility for public benefits. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we help families in Delhi and throughout Merced County understand how a trust can be tailored to meet unique needs and life circumstances. This guide explains the purpose of a special needs trust, how it interacts with government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, and practical steps to set up and administer a trust that protects both immediate care and future stability.
Creating a special needs trust requires careful planning and clear documentation to ensure that assets are used for quality of life without jeopardizing public benefit eligibility. This page covers typical trust components, trustee duties, common funding strategies including transfers from family members or settlement proceeds, and options for ongoing trust management. We also outline common pitfalls to avoid, such as improperly structured distributions, and describe how a thoughtfully drafted trust can adapt as laws and family circumstances change over time in California.
A well-drafted special needs trust protects a beneficiary’s access to critical government programs while providing supplemental care and support. For families in Delhi, establishing this trust can relieve uncertainties about future housing, medical costs, therapies, transportation, and enrichment activities that public benefits do not cover. The trust allows family members to provide for improved quality of life without risking eligibility. It also creates a framework for long-term financial oversight, reduces family stress through clear instructions, and can establish successor trustees to ensure continuity of care across changing life stages and circumstances.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves families across California with comprehensive estate planning services, including special needs trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We take a client-centered approach that emphasizes clear communication, careful drafting, and practical solutions tailored to each family’s situation. Our work includes coordinating with financial advisors, care coordinators, and social workers to craft plans that are workable in everyday life. We guide clients through funding the trust, naming appropriate trustees, and documenting distribution standards to support the beneficiary long term.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of an individual with disabilities while preserving their eligibility for means-tested public benefits. The trust is managed by a trustee who follows the trust terms to make distributions that supplement, rather than replace, government-provided services. Trust provisions typically outline permissible uses such as medical expenses not covered by Medicaid, education, rehabilitation, transportation, and personal items. Properly structured trusts also address repayment provisions for government benefits when required and include successor trustee designations to ensure continuity.
There are different types of trust arrangements that can serve the needs of a beneficiary, such as first-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, third-party trusts funded by family members, and pooled trusts administered by nonprofit organizations. Each option has its own rules, funding approaches, and considerations for asset protection and potential payback obligations. Choosing the right form depends on the source of funds, the beneficiary’s benefit status, the intended duration of support, and family goals for control over how funds will be used on the beneficiary’s behalf.
A special needs trust is designed to hold assets for a person with disabilities while preserving their ability to receive public benefits. The trust language must be precise: distributions should enhance quality of life without constituting direct income that would disqualify the beneficiary from programs like Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. Drafting considerations include the trustee’s discretionary powers, permitted distribution categories, restrictions against providing direct cash to the beneficiary, and instructions for recordkeeping and reporting. Proper drafting anticipates future changes in needs and benefits rules to reduce unintended impacts.
Key elements include the trust instrument itself, trustee selection, funding plan, distribution standards, recordkeeping requirements, and end-of-life provisions. Administration involves managing trust assets, making distributions consistent with the trust purpose, working with benefit agencies, and maintaining clear documentation to show that disbursements supplement benefits. Trustees must balance current needs with long-term sustainability, coordinate with care providers, and follow any payback provisions required by law. Periodic review is important to adapt to changing circumstances such as shifts in benefits rules, family resources, or the beneficiary’s needs.
Understanding common terms helps families make informed decisions. This glossary covers trust terminology, benefit program names, and legal concepts that regularly arise in special needs planning. Familiarity with these terms reduces confusion when reviewing documents, discussing funding options, and making future changes. It also helps beneficiaries and family members understand what trustees can and cannot do, which supports better collaboration and safeguards benefits eligibility. The following glossary definitions are presented in straightforward language that applies to planning in California.
A first-party special needs trust is funded with assets that legally belong to the beneficiary, such as an inheritance or settlement. These trusts often include a payback provision requiring reimbursement to the state for Medicaid costs from trust assets upon the beneficiary’s death. They must meet specific statutory requirements in order to preserve benefit eligibility. While useful for protecting a beneficiary’s received assets, these trusts must be carefully drafted and administered to comply with state and federal regulations and to ensure ongoing access to public assistance.
A pooled trust is managed by a nonprofit organization that pools funds from multiple beneficiaries for investment and administrative purposes while maintaining separate accounts for distribution decisions. Pooled trusts can accept funds from individuals who otherwise would not meet statutory requirements for other trust types or who prefer the administrative simplicity of a nonprofit trustee. They may offer lower administrative costs and professional management, and many accept one-time contributions or ongoing funding streams, making them a practical option for some families.
A third-party special needs trust is created and funded by someone other than the beneficiary, often parents, grandparents, or other family members. Because the assets never legally belonged to the beneficiary, these trusts generally avoid payback requirements and can be structured to leave remaining assets to other family members after the beneficiary’s death. Third-party trusts provide flexibility for families who want to supplement a beneficiary’s quality of life while preserving government benefits and retaining legacy goals for remaining funds.
A trustee is the individual or entity responsible for managing the trust assets and making distributions in accordance with the trust document. Trustees must act prudently, keep accurate records, and coordinate with benefit providers and caregivers to ensure distributions support the beneficiary without harming benefit eligibility. Choosing a trustee involves assessing financial management skills, availability, willingness to serve, and understanding of benefit program rules. Successor trustee provisions should be included so that management continues smoothly if the primary trustee can no longer serve.
Evaluating trust options requires comparing first-party, third-party, and pooled trusts as well as alternative strategies like guardianship, payee arrangements, or relying solely on public benefits. Each approach carries different implications for control, asset protection, administrative complexity, and potential payback obligations. Families should weigh the tradeoffs of flexibility versus formality, cost versus autonomy, and immediate needs versus long-term legacy planning. In many cases, a trust combined with clear estate documents such as a pour-over will and powers of attorney provides the most balanced and sustainable solution.
A limited approach may be appropriate when available assets are modest and family members can provide day-to-day support without formal trust administration. For someone with minimal assets whose needs will be met primarily through public benefits, a simpler plan focused on wills, powers of attorney, and a health care directive can be sufficient. In such situations, family caregivers often coordinate services directly and maintain records to avoid disruptions to benefits. Simpler arrangements can reduce legal costs while preserving necessary safeguards.
If a beneficiary is already supported by a stable family network that has clear plans for future care and financial assistance, a limited legal structure can suffice. Families who regularly share responsibility and have transparent agreements about contributions may find that formal trust arrangements add complexity without meaningful benefit. Even so, documenting intentions through basic estate planning documents such as guardianship nominations and a pour-over will helps prevent disputes and ensures that a beneficiary’s needs are considered should circumstances change or a caregiver become unavailable.
A comprehensive approach is recommended when preserving public benefits while providing supplemental support is a top priority. Properly drafted trusts prevent inadvertent disqualification from programs that provide essential services and help manage long-term care costs that public programs do not cover. Comprehensive planning coordinates trusts with wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and other documents to create a consistent, enforceable plan. This thorough preparation reduces the risk of future disputes and provides a predictable roadmap for caregivers and trustees.
When assets come from multiple sources, such as inheritance, settlement proceeds, retirement accounts, or life insurance, a comprehensive plan clarifies how each asset will be allocated and protected. Complex family dynamics or blended families also benefit from formal documents that state the grantor’s intentions for distributions and trustee responsibilities. Detailed planning ensures that funding strategies comply with legal requirements, supports effective trust administration, and integrates tax, creditor, and benefit considerations to protect the beneficiary’s long-term interests.
A comprehensive strategy offers coordinated protection for the beneficiary, aligning trust provisions with broader estate planning goals. This approach clarifies how assets will be used to enhance the beneficiary’s life while maintaining eligibility for critical public programs. It reduces uncertainty for family members and trustees, provides continuity of care, and helps avoid common mistakes that can lead to loss of benefits. Comprehensive plans can also outline successor trustees, guidelines for discretionary distributions, and instructions for integrating future assets into the trust structure.
Comprehensive planning helps families anticipate and adapt to life changes, such as shifts in benefit rules, changes in the beneficiary’s needs, or the passing of a caregiver. It also addresses funding contingencies, tax considerations, and potential creditor issues. By building a resilient plan, families can reduce the administrative burden on trustees and provide clearer oversight of how trust assets are used. This foresight makes transitions, including changes in living arrangements or care teams, smoother and less disruptive for the beneficiary.
One major benefit is the ability to preserve eligibility for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income while providing discretionary support for goods and services not covered by those programs. A trust can pay for items that improve daily living, personal growth, and emotional well-being, such as therapy, adaptive equipment, recreation, or transportation. By setting clear distribution standards and choosing trustees who understand the beneficiary’s needs, a trust helps balance immediate comfort with long-term security, ensuring the beneficiary receives both necessary care and meaningful enrichment.
A comprehensive trust provides governance rules that reduce ambiguity about how funds should be used and who has decision-making authority. Clear instructions and successor trustee provisions reduce the risk of disputes among family members and ensure that responsibilities are understood and transferable when needed. This clarity fosters cooperative decision-making and relieves emotional stress by giving caregivers and trustees a documented plan to follow. Effective governance also supports consistent administration that aligns with the beneficiary’s long-term needs and family objectives.
Documenting the beneficiary’s daily routines, medical needs, therapy schedules, and personal preferences helps trustees make distributions that truly improve quality of life. Detailed notes about preferred providers, medication regimens, and mobility needs reduce decision-making delays and ensure that funds are used effectively. Keeping a centralized file that includes contact information for care providers, benefit caseworkers, and financial institutions simplifies administration. This approach also makes it easier for successor trustees to step in smoothly if the primary trustee is unable to serve in the future.
Selecting the right trustee involves balancing financial management capabilities with compassion and availability. Trustees will handle investments, distributions, and communication with benefit agencies, so it is important to choose someone who can maintain organized records and follow trust instructions. Consider naming a corporate trustee or co-trustee when family members may lack time or investment skills. Also identify successor trustees and clearly describe their authority, so transitions are smooth and the beneficiary’s needs remain a priority if the primary trustee cannot continue.
Families consider special needs trusts to preserve access to public benefits while providing supplemental care and financial support. Trusts can protect assets from being classified as countable income or resources, enabling beneficiaries to remain eligible for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. Trusts also ensure that funds are used according to documented standards and provide a formal management structure that supports long-term stability. For parents and caregivers, trusts create peace of mind by putting plans in place for continuity of care beyond the caregiver’s lifetime.
A trust can also address unique family goals such as maintaining housing, paying for therapies, funding transportation, or providing for discretionary activities that improve quality of life. It enables donors to direct how funds are used and to set priorities for distributions. Combining a trust with related documents like guardianship nominations and powers of attorney creates a holistic plan that covers medical decisions, financial management, and estate distribution. This comprehensive planning helps prevent disputes and supports a coordinated approach to long-term care.
Families often set up special needs trusts when a beneficiary receives an inheritance, settlement, or lump sum that would otherwise disqualify them from public benefits. Trusts are also used when parents want to leave assets for a child with disabilities without disrupting benefits, or when a caregiver seeks formal mechanisms to manage funds responsibly. Other circumstances include planning for aging caregivers, transitioning from school to adult services, or coordinating benefits after a life event that changes a beneficiary’s financial profile.
When a beneficiary receives an inheritance or settlement, placing those funds into a properly structured trust can prevent loss of public benefits. The trust must be drafted to maintain eligibility while allowing distributions that enhance life. Without a trust, large sums could be counted as personal assets and disqualify a beneficiary from Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. Establishing the trust promptly and documenting funding sources and intended uses helps maintain continuity of benefits and supports the beneficiary’s long-term needs.
As parents and caregivers age, families often need formal plans for ongoing management of a beneficiary’s finances and care. A trust provides a mechanism for naming successor trustees, allocating funds for future needs, and ensuring that someone is responsible for coordinating services and managing resources. This planning reduces uncertainty and ensures that the beneficiary’s quality of life continues uninterrupted. It also clarifies the caregiver’s wishes for inheritance and the beneficiary’s support, which can ease family decision-making during difficult transitions.
Transitioning from school-based supports to adult services often brings changes in available programs and financial responsibilities. Establishing a trust before or during this transition helps cover costs that adult public programs may not provide, such as employment supports, vocational training, transportation, and enrichment activities. A trust ensures there is a reliable funding source to bridge gaps in care and can be structured to evolve as the beneficiary’s needs change, providing continuity during this critical life stage.
Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients in Delhi and the surrounding Merced County communities. We provide clear, practical guidance on establishing, funding, and administering special needs trusts. Our approach focuses on understanding each family’s priorities, coordinating with care providers and benefit agencies, and documenting plans that stand up to real-world circumstances. Whether you are planning ahead or addressing newly received assets, we help create a durable plan that protects benefits and supports the beneficiary’s quality of life now and in the future.
Choosing a law firm for special needs planning means selecting a partner who listens and translates family goals into clear legal documents. We work with clients to design trusts that address personal priorities while observing California benefit rules. Our process emphasizes plain-language communication, thorough documentation, and realistic funding strategies. Families receive guidance on trustee selection, distribution standards, and integration with related estate planning documents, creating a cohesive plan that supports a beneficiary’s lifetime needs and the family’s broader legacy objectives.
We help clients navigate interactions with government programs and plan for contingencies such as caregiver disability or death. Our services include drafting trust instruments, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, pour-over wills, and other supporting documents that create a complete estate plan. We also assist with practical steps like funding trusts, updating beneficiary designations, and advising on transfer strategies. This comprehensive approach reduces the likelihood of benefit disruption and creates a clear roadmap for trustees and family members.
Our practice aims to make the planning process manageable and focused on outcomes that matter to your family. We provide straightforward explanations of legal options, anticipated timelines, and administrative responsibilities so families can make informed choices. Clients receive support drafting flexible trust provisions that respect public benefits while enabling discretionary support. We also recommend periodic reviews to maintain alignment with changes in the law and family circumstances, ensuring that the plan remains practical and effective over time.
Our planning process begins with a thorough conversation to identify the beneficiary’s needs, family resources, and long-term goals. We gather medical, financial, and benefit information to craft a trust that meets legal requirements and family priorities. Drafting includes precise distribution language, funding pathways, and trustee instructions. We review documents with clients, make revisions as needed, and provide support for funding the trust. After the trust is established, we offer guidance on administration and periodic reviews to keep the plan current.
The first step is a detailed intake meeting to learn about the beneficiary, current benefits, assets, and family goals. We collect information about medical needs, support services, income sources, bank and investment accounts, insurance policies, and any anticipated inheritances or settlements. This intake helps identify the appropriate trust structure and necessary companion documents. During this step we also discuss trustee options and outline a timeline for drafting and funding, so families understand next steps and expected outcomes.
We review the beneficiary’s current benefits, eligibility requirements, and services in place to identify how trust distributions can best enhance care without causing disqualification. This includes assessing monthly income limits, resource rules, and specific program rules for Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. Understanding the beneficiary’s daily routines and long-term needs allows us to draft distribution clauses that support quality of life and necessary supports, while minimizing the risk of unintended impacts on public benefits.
We examine current assets, potential future gifts or inheritances, and insurance or settlement proceeds to determine the best approach to funding the trust. This review identifies items that may count as resources and helps prioritize funding sources to achieve planning goals. We also discuss beneficiary designations and retirement accounts, recommending strategies to ensure that assets flow into the trust as intended and do not unintentionally disqualify the beneficiary from benefits.
Once information is gathered, we draft trust documents that clearly state the trustee’s powers, distribution standards, and any payback provisions required by law. Drafts are reviewed with clients to ensure the language reflects family priorities and practical administration. We recommend companion documents such as powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and pour-over wills to create a complete estate plan. Final documents are executed according to California formalities and clients receive copies with guidance on funding and recordkeeping.
Drafting focuses on creating distribution standards that enhance the beneficiary’s life while preserving eligibility for benefits. Language addresses permissible categories of expenditures, trustee discretion, recordkeeping obligations, and instructions for successor trustees. We also include provisions for communicating with benefits agencies when required and for handling requests from family members. Clear, actionable drafting reduces ambiguity and supports consistent administration that aligns with the grantor’s intentions.
Supporting documents such as pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives are reviewed alongside the trust to ensure consistency. Executing these documents provides authority for agents to manage finances and healthcare if the grantor becomes incapacitated. We discuss appropriate guardianship nominations and beneficiary designations so assets funnel correctly into the trust when intended. Proper execution and certificate handling ensure the entire plan functions cohesively under California law.
Funding the trust is essential to its effectiveness and may include retitling bank and investment accounts, assigning proceeds from settlements, naming the trust as beneficiary, or making transfers through a pour-over will. We provide step-by-step guidance on each funding method, help coordinate with financial institutions, and recommend recordkeeping practices for distributions. Ongoing administration includes annual reviews, tax considerations, and adjustments to distribution guidelines as the beneficiary’s needs evolve, ensuring that the trust remains aligned with family goals.
Retitling accounts often involves paperwork with banks, brokerages, and insurance companies to place assets in the trust’s name. We prepare documentation and coordinate with institutions to reduce delays and ensure proper titling. When transfers involve retirement accounts or life insurance, additional steps such as beneficiary designation updates or trust language review are needed. Timely funding minimizes the risk that assets remain outside the trust and reduces the likelihood of benefit disruptions due to improper asset ownership.
After a trust is funded, ongoing duties include making distributions consistent with the trust purpose, maintaining accurate records, preparing any required government reports, and meeting tax obligations. We advise trustees on best practices for documentation, communicating with benefit agencies, and making discretionary distributions that enhance the beneficiary’s life. Regular reviews help identify necessary adjustments in response to changes in the law, the beneficiary’s health or circumstances, or family resource shifts, maintaining the plan’s effectiveness over time.
A special needs trust is designed to hold assets for a person with disabilities while preserving access to public benefits that are based on income or resources. The trust holds funds and authorizes a trustee to make distributions for goods and services that supplement, rather than replace, benefits. Typical permitted uses include medical costs not covered by public programs, therapeutic services, transportation, education, and recreational activities. The structure prevents the trust assets from being treated as the beneficiary’s personal resources for eligibility purposes. To be effective, the trust language must be carefully drafted to reflect permissible distributions and trustee discretion. The trust should explicitly prohibit direct cash payments to the beneficiary that could be considered income and include recordkeeping provisions so that distributions can be documented. When the trust is properly administered, it allows families to improve the beneficiary’s quality of life without jeopardizing necessary government supports.
Different types of special needs trusts include first-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, third-party trusts funded by family or others, and pooled trusts managed by nonprofit organizations. First-party trusts often require state payback for Medicaid costs at the beneficiary’s death, while third-party trusts typically avoid payback because the funds never belonged to the beneficiary. Pooled trusts combine individual accounts for investment and administrative purposes but maintain separate budgeting for each beneficiary. The choice among these options depends on the source of funds, the family’s goals, and administrative preferences. Third-party trusts offer flexibility for legacy planning and avoid payback, but require donors to plan how assets will be transferred. Pooled trusts can be cost-effective and practical where individual trustees are not feasible, while first-party trusts are commonly used when the beneficiary receives a personal settlement or inheritance.
Yes, a trust can affect eligibility for Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income if it is not properly structured or funded. Assets owned directly by the beneficiary are typically counted for eligibility, which can result in disqualification. A properly drafted special needs trust holds those assets outside the beneficiary’s personal ownership and directs distributions in a way that supplements benefits without constituting countable income or resources. The trustee must follow distribution standards that are consistent with maintaining public benefit eligibility. Administration matters as much as drafting. Trustees should avoid direct cash payments that could be considered income, keep thorough records, and coordinate with benefits caseworkers when necessary. Periodic reviews ensure the trust continues to operate in line with current benefit rules, reducing the risk that a distribution will inadvertently affect the beneficiary’s program eligibility.
Choosing a trustee involves evaluating financial management ability, understanding of benefit rules, availability, impartiality, and willingness to serve over the long term. Family members often serve as trustees because they know the beneficiary well, but a trustee also needs to be organized and capable of handling administrative duties, recordkeeping, and interactions with benefit agencies. Some families select a professional or corporate trustee, or a co-trustee arrangement, to combine personal knowledge and administrative strength. Successor trustees should be named to ensure continuity if the primary trustee cannot serve. Clear trustee instructions in the trust document reduce ambiguity and guide decision-making. Families may also consider naming a backup trustee or providing for limited trustee compensation to encourage competent administration and reduce conflicts arising from long-term responsibilities.
Funding a special needs trust can be accomplished through several methods, including retitling bank and investment accounts in the name of the trust, naming the trust as beneficiary of life insurance or retirement accounts where appropriate, assigning settlement proceeds to the trust, or directing assets into the trust through a pour-over will. Each funding method has specific steps and potential tax and benefits implications that should be reviewed before transfers occur. Prompt funding helps ensure assets are protected and used as intended. Coordination with financial institutions and beneficiary designation forms is often required. For retirement assets, special care is needed because designating a trust as beneficiary can create tax consequences; alternate strategies such as payable-on-death accounts or insurance may be better in some cases. We help families prioritize funding actions to balance administrative ease with protection of benefit eligibility and long-term sustainability.
Trusts may have tax reporting requirements depending on the trust structure, trust income, and distributions. Third-party trusts and pooled trusts often have different tax treatments than first-party trusts. While distributions that directly benefit the beneficiary are usually not taxable to the beneficiary if used for certain qualified expenses, the trust itself may have to file tax returns and pay taxes on any undistributed income. Trustees should maintain good records and consult tax counsel when necessary to ensure compliance with federal and state rules. Beneficiaries receiving certain types of distributions may face separate tax considerations, and retirement account transfers can trigger tax events if not planned carefully. Proper coordination between trust drafting, beneficiary designations, and tax planning helps minimize unnecessary tax burdens while preserving benefits and accomplishing the family’s financial goals.
The disposition of leftover trust assets depends on the trust type and the trust language. First-party trusts often contain a payback provision that requires reimbursement to the state for Medicaid costs before any remainder is distributed to family or other beneficiaries. Third-party trusts typically name remainder beneficiaries, allowing remaining assets to pass to family members without payback obligations. The trust document should clearly state the remainder plan to reflect the grantor’s wishes for legacy purposes. Families should consider naming contingent remainder beneficiaries and providing guidance on how remaining funds should be used if the beneficiary predeceases the grantor. This planning helps avoid disputes and ensures that leftover assets are distributed in a way that aligns with the family’s broader intent, whether that means supporting other family members or charitable causes.
A special needs trust should be reviewed periodically, especially after major life events such as changes in benefits, significant shifts in the beneficiary’s health or needs, receipt of new assets, marriage or divorce, or the death or incapacity of a trustee or family member. Laws and benefit program rules can change, making reviews important to maintain the trust’s effectiveness. An annual or biennial review is often sufficient for stable situations, with immediate review recommended after any major change that could affect funding or administration. Reviews focus on funding status, trustee performance, alignment with the beneficiary’s current needs, and consistency with other estate documents. Updating the trust and associated documents during these reviews ensures continued protection for the beneficiary and reduces the risk of unintended consequences from outdated language or strategies.
Yes, settlements or inheritances can generally be placed into a special needs trust, but it is important to follow proper procedures to preserve benefit eligibility. A first-party trust may be needed when the funds legally belong to the beneficiary, and such trusts typically include state payback provisions. For inheritances intended by parents or relatives to support the beneficiary, a third-party trust is often preferable because it can protect those assets without triggering payback obligations. When settlement proceeds are involved, immediate action is recommended to place funds into an appropriate trust structure. This prevents the funds from being counted as the beneficiary’s personal resources and reduces the chance of benefits suspension. We assist families in evaluating the best trust vehicle for the funding source and in handling necessary transfers and documentation promptly.
A pooled trust is managed by a nonprofit and pools funds from multiple beneficiaries for investment and administrative purposes. Each beneficiary has a separate account for budgeting and distribution decisions, but investments and overhead are handled collectively. Pooled trusts are often useful for individuals with smaller sums or when a family prefers nonprofit administration to relieve family members of trustee duties. They can be more affordable and provide professional management without the need for a private trustee. A third-party trust is created and funded by someone other than the beneficiary, typically a family member, and generally does not require state payback because the assets were never the beneficiary’s property. Third-party trusts provide greater control over remainder distributions and legacy planning. The choice between pooled and third-party trusts depends on funding amounts, desired control, administrative preferences, and long-term family goals.
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