A Special Needs Trust can provide a practical, well-structured way to protect assets for a person with disabilities while preserving eligibility for public benefits in California. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman we help families consider how a trust can pay for supplemental needs such as personal care, therapies, education, and housing without displacing benefits like Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal. This introduction outlines what a Special Needs Trust does, who typically uses one, and the common steps families take when planning for long-term support and financial stability for a loved one with disabilities.
Planning for a family member with special needs involves thoughtful decisions about future care, finances, and legal protections. A well-designed trust creates a framework for trustees to manage funds, pay for supplemental expenses, and respond to changing circumstances while keeping benefits in place. Families often combine a trust with wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives to ensure continuity of care. This paragraph explains how a trust fits into a broader estate plan and why early planning can reduce stress and confusion for family members who will manage care and benefits in the years ahead.
Establishing a Special Needs Trust can protect a beneficiary’s eligibility for means-tested government programs while providing funds for goods and services that enhance quality of life. A trust allows a trustee to pay for expenses that are not covered by public benefits, such as specialized therapies, recreational activities, transportation, and certain medical items. Additionally, a trust can create a steady, supervised distribution plan, reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers, and provide instructions for guardianship nominations and successor trustees. Thoughtful planning also helps families avoid disputes and ensures that assets are used according to the settlor’s wishes over the long term.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves clients across California with a focus on estate planning matters including trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Our firm works with families to design documents such as Revocable Living Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, and Pour-Over Wills that reflect each client’s goals while addressing the practical realities of benefit eligibility and long-term care. We place high priority on clear communication, careful drafting, and personalized plans so that families in Poway and the surrounding area feel prepared and confident about their legal arrangements.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement created to hold assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities without jeopardizing their eligibility for public assistance programs. The trust sets out how funds may be used for supplemental needs beyond what benefits cover, and it appoints a trustee to manage distributions. There are several types of trusts with different rules about funding and reimbursement. Families should understand how trust terms, trustee actions, and the source of funds interact with program rules so the beneficiary can retain necessary benefits while enjoying improved living standards over time.
When considering a Special Needs Trust families should evaluate who will serve as trustee, how distributions will be made, and which assets are appropriate to transfer into the trust. Trust documents often include language specifying that distributions are for supplemental needs only, and they can provide guidance on permissible uses such as transportation, adaptive equipment, educational support, and enrichment activities. The trust should be coordinated with other estate planning tools and benefit counseling to avoid unintended consequences. Regular reviews are advisable to adapt to changes in law or personal circumstances.
A Special Needs Trust is a fiduciary arrangement in which a settlor transfers assets to a trustee to hold and manage for a beneficiary with a disability. The trustee follows the trust terms and can make discretionary distributions to supplement public benefits without replacing them. The trust document typically outlines allowable expenditures, trustee powers, and successor trustee arrangements. Depending on the source of funds, there may be rules about payback to public programs upon the beneficiary’s passing. Understanding these features helps families pick the right trust type and draft language that matches their objectives and the beneficiary’s needs.
Setting up a Special Needs Trust requires several key steps: assessing the beneficiary’s needs and existing benefits, selecting an appropriate trust type, drafting clear trust terms that define permissible distributions, appointing a responsible trustee, coordinating with other estate documents, and funding the trust with appropriate assets. The process often includes benefit planning to mitigate impacts on means-tested programs and may involve the transfer of bank accounts, life insurance, or the assignment of retirement plan benefits into the trust. Ongoing administration and periodic reviews ensure the trust continues to meet the beneficiary’s evolving needs.
Understanding specific terms used in special needs planning helps families make informed choices. This brief glossary explains commonly used phrases such as first-party trust, third-party trust, pooled trust, payback provision, and supplemental needs. Each term affects how funds are managed, how benefits are preserved, and what obligations trustees may have. By learning these definitions, families can more easily discuss options, recognize trade-offs, and decide which trust structure aligns with their goals. Clear definitions also reduce ambiguity when drafting documents and when trustees exercise discretion in distributions.
A first-party trust, sometimes called a self-settled trust, holds assets that belong to the beneficiary and is often created using an inheritance, settlement, or personal funds. These trusts are governed by specific rules that may require a payback to state programs for benefits provided during the beneficiary’s lifetime. The trust must be carefully drafted to comply with state and federal guidelines, and a trustee is responsible for managing distributions in a way that continues the beneficiary’s eligibility for support programs. Families use these trusts when the beneficiary receives funds directly that could otherwise disqualify benefits.
A third-party special needs trust is created by someone other than the beneficiary, typically a parent or relative, using assets intended for the beneficiary. Because the funds never legally belong to the beneficiary, these trusts generally avoid payback to public programs and can be structured to remain available to family heirs after the beneficiary’s passing. This type of trust provides flexibility for families who want to leave inheritances or life insurance proceeds for supplemental care while preserving public benefits for the beneficiary during their lifetime.
Supplemental needs refer to goods and services that enhance a beneficiary’s standard of living that are not provided by public benefits programs. Trust distributions for supplemental needs can include items such as educational programs, therapy not covered by benefits, technological aids, travel, and recreational activities. Proper coordination between trust distributions and benefit rules is essential to avoid reductions in means-tested benefits. Trustees should understand which expenditures are permissible and maintain records to demonstrate that trust funds supplement rather than replace public support.
A pooled trust is managed by a nonprofit organization that pools and invests funds from multiple beneficiaries while maintaining separate accounts for each beneficiary’s needs. Pooled trusts may accept funds from individuals and families and can be an option when a first-party trust is required but managing a standalone trust is impractical. They often provide professional administration and can help preserve public benefits. Families choosing a pooled trust should review fee structures, eligibility criteria, and any payback provisions that apply after the beneficiary’s death.
Families considering how to provide for a loved one with disabilities should compare several legal options, including third-party trusts, first-party trusts, pooled trusts, guardianship alternatives, and direct transfers. Each option has implications for benefit eligibility, administrative complexity, and long-term flexibility. For example, third-party trusts are often preferred for leaving inheritances, while first-party trusts may be necessary when the beneficiary receives funds directly. Evaluating these choices in the context of the beneficiary’s current benefits and likely future needs helps families select a path that balances protection, autonomy, and practical administration.
A limited trust approach can be suitable when the beneficiary has relatively modest supplemental needs or when the family expects only short-term financial support will be necessary. In such scenarios, a narrowly tailored trust or specific beneficiary designation can provide targeted assistance without the complexity of a larger trust structure. Families may prefer a simpler arrangement if public benefits are stable and the assets being set aside are small. Simpler plans can also reduce administrative costs, but they should still include provisions for successor management and coordination with benefits to avoid unintended disqualifications.
A limited approach may also be appropriate when funds come from a clear, one-time source such as a modest inheritance or a small settlement that will be used for specific needs and will not meaningfully change benefit eligibility. In such cases, families might craft narrow distribution terms and designate a trusted trustee to oversee those funds for a defined period. Even for limited arrangements, careful drafting is important to specify permitted uses and to coordinate with existing benefit programs, ensuring the beneficiary receives supplemental support without losing public assistance.
A comprehensive planning approach is often necessary when a beneficiary has complex, ongoing needs that require sustained funding, coordination of multiple programs, and contingency planning for future caregivers. Comprehensive plans weave together trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and guardianship nominations to create a reliable framework for both financial management and personal care decisions. By anticipating changes in medical needs, living arrangements, and benefit rules, comprehensive planning reduces the risk of gaps in support and provides clarity for family members tasked with managing care and finances over many years.
When funds to support a beneficiary are substantial or come from various sources such as life insurance, retirement plans, and property, comprehensive planning is recommended to coordinate funding, minimize administrative burdens, and protect benefits. Complex funding arrangements may require careful titling, beneficiary designations, and trust terms to ensure assets flow into the trust appropriately. A comprehensive plan also addresses tax considerations, reimbursement obligations to public programs, and long-term trustee succession, providing a more durable solution for families managing multiple resources on behalf of a loved one.
A comprehensive approach to special needs planning provides clarity about who will make financial and medical decisions, how funds will be used, and how benefits will be preserved. Integrating trusts with powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and guardianship nominations creates a cohesive plan that addresses both care and finances. This holistic planning reduces ambiguity, avoids unintended consequences that could affect benefits, and gives families a framework to handle crises. Regular review of the complete plan ensures it remains aligned with the beneficiary’s changing needs and with updates in benefit rules and law.
Comprehensive planning also enhances long-term stability by creating mechanisms for trustee oversight, successor management, and clear distribution standards. It allows families to earmark funds for specific purposes such as housing, therapies, or transportation while maintaining eligibility for income-based programs. Including complementary documents like HIPAA authorizations and guardianship nominations ensures caregivers can access necessary information and act in the beneficiary’s best interest. A durable plan can ease family stress, reduce the risk of disputes, and provide confidence that the beneficiary’s supplemental needs will be met over time.
One major benefit of a comprehensive plan is the ability to preserve eligibility for means-tested programs while using trust funds to enhance daily living. Trust distributions can pay for therapies, transportation, and activities that improve independence and wellbeing without replacing core benefits. Thoughtful drafting and well-documented trustee actions demonstrate that trust funds are used for supplemental purposes. Families gain peace of mind knowing that their planning choices help the beneficiary enjoy a fuller life while still receiving essential public assistance where needed.
Comprehensive planning provides explicit instructions about care preferences, trustee powers, and successor arrangements so that future caregivers understand how to manage finances and make decisions. This clarity minimizes family conflict, streamlines administration, and ensures continuity if a primary caregiver becomes unable to serve. Including guardianship nominations and healthcare directives in the plan allows appointed decision makers to access medical records and act on behalf of the beneficiary as needed. Overall, clear documentation supports reliable long-term stewardship of both funds and personal care choices.
Start planning by conducting a thorough assessment of the beneficiary’s current and anticipated needs, including medical care, therapies, housing, education, and daily living supports. Documenting these needs gives clarity about what a trust should cover and helps determine appropriate funding levels. Families should also inventory existing benefits, income sources, and assets that could be directed into a trust. A careful needs assessment informs trustee decision making, helps set realistic distribution guidelines, and supports coordination with community resources to maximize the beneficiary’s quality of life.
Choosing a trustee and naming a reliable succession plan are essential elements of a durable trust. Trustees should be capable of financial management, record-keeping, and making compassionate distribution decisions. Families can consider individual trustees, corporate trustees, or pooled trustees depending on resources and complexity. Including clear instructions for successor trustees, along with guardianship nominations and HIPAA authorizations, creates continuity if a trustee or caregiver becomes unable to serve. Periodic reviews ensure the trustee structure remains appropriate as circumstances change.
Families often choose a Special Needs Trust to protect a loved one’s access to vital public benefits while providing funds for additional supports that improve quality of life. Trusts are useful when a beneficiary receives an inheritance, settlement, or other funds that could otherwise disqualify them from means-tested programs. A trust can also create a mechanism for managed distributions, reduce family stress, and set clear expectations for how funds should be used. For many families, a trust is an effective way to balance financial support with preservation of essential benefits.
Another strong reason to plan is to ensure that someone is legally empowered to make health care and financial decisions if the beneficiary or primary caregiver cannot do so. Incorporating powers of attorney, advance directives, and guardianship nominations in the planning package provides a complete roadmap for decision-making. In addition, thoughtful trust planning anticipates future needs and allows for adjustments through trust provisions or review parties so the arrangement remains practical and responsive to the beneficiary’s changing circumstances over time.
Typical circumstances prompting a Special Needs Trust include receiving a significant inheritance, obtaining a settlement from litigation, changes in family financial status, or planning ahead for long-term support needs. Families also use trusts when guardianship is likely to be needed or when parents want to designate clear caregiver and trustee roles for the future. Trusts can be tailored to address each scenario, specifying permissible uses of funds, naming trustees, and coordinating with public benefits to ensure continuity of care and financial stability for the beneficiary.
When a beneficiary receives an inheritance or settlement, those funds can inadvertently make them ineligible for means-tested benefits if not properly managed. Placing those assets into a Special Needs Trust can preserve eligibility by keeping funds under the control of a trustee and specifying permissible distributions. This approach helps ensure that the beneficiary benefits from the funds without losing access to critical public programs. The trust terms should address payback obligations where required and provide guidance on allowable uses to protect benefits going forward.
Families concerned about ongoing care needs may establish a trust to fund services that public benefits do not fully cover, such as specialized therapies, transportation, or assistive technology. A trust allows for long-term planning and predictable management of resources, making it easier to budget for care and support. Including provisions for regular reviews and updates ensures the trust remains aligned with evolving needs, while clear instructions for trustees help ensure distributions are used to improve the beneficiary’s daily life without undermining benefit eligibility.
Protecting eligibility for programs like Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal is often a primary motivation for creating a Special Needs Trust. Because these benefits are means-tested, direct receipt of assets can cause disqualification. A properly structured trust keeps assets available for supplemental support while preserving the beneficiary’s access to essential services. Families should coordinate trust terms with current benefit rules and plan for potential changes in law, documenting distributions and maintaining records that demonstrate the trust enhances rather than replaces public assistance.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman offers local guidance to families in Poway and nearby communities who are planning for loved ones with disabilities. Our team assists with creating trusts designed to protect benefits while funding supplemental needs, preparing accompanying estate documents, and advising on trustee selection and trust funding. We provide clear explanations of the options available and help implement plans that reflect each family’s priorities. By working locally, we can also connect families with nearby resources and community programs that support long-term care and quality of life.
Clients choose the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman for thorough estate planning services tailored to special needs situations. We focus on creating practical, well-drafted documents such as Special Needs Trusts, Revocable Living Trusts, Pour-Over Wills, and Healthcare Directives that work together to protect both benefits and supplemental support. Our approach emphasizes clear communication, careful drafting, and plans that reflect each family’s values and long-term priorities. This helps families feel confident that their plans will be manageable and effective for the beneficiary.
We assist with trust funding, beneficiary designations, and coordination of trust terms with public benefit rules, ensuring that distributions are structured to avoid unintended consequences. Our team helps families identify appropriate trustee arrangements, draft successor provisions, and prepare supporting documents like HIPAA authorizations and powers of attorney. We also advise on the implications of different funding sources, including life insurance, retirement accounts, and personal assets, to create a cohesive plan that supports the beneficiary’s needs while preserving essential benefits.
In addition to document preparation, our firm provides guidance on practical administration, record-keeping, and periodic plan reviews to adapt to changing circumstances or legal developments. We help families prepare for transitions, name guardianship nominees, and consider pooled trust options when appropriate. By offering clear, actionable planning steps and ongoing support, we aim to reduce uncertainty and provide families with a sustainable framework for managing supplemental resources on behalf of their loved one with disabilities.
Our process begins with a detailed information gathering session to learn about the beneficiary’s situation, current benefits, and family goals. We then recommend an appropriate trust structure and draft documents that reflect those goals while coordinating with benefit rules. After review and execution, we assist with funding the trust and provide guidance on administration and record-keeping. Periodic follow-up reviews are recommended to ensure the plan remains effective as needs and laws change. Clear steps and ongoing communication help families implement a durable and practical plan.
The initial consultation focuses on understanding the beneficiary’s disability, current benefits, financial situation, and family preferences. During this meeting we review documents such as current wills, account statements, insurance policies, and any letters of guardianship or care plans. This step helps identify whether a first-party, third-party, or pooled trust is most appropriate and what additional documents are needed. Based on the information gathered, we propose a planning pathway and provide an estimate for drafting and implementation services.
A careful assessment of the beneficiary’s medical, residential, educational, and social needs informs trust design and distribution guidelines. We also review eligibility and current benefits, including Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal, to understand constraints and opportunities for supplemental support. This assessment includes projecting likely future needs and identifying services not covered by benefits that a trust should address. Clear documentation at this stage reduces the risk of benefit disruption and helps shape trustee responsibilities and permissible expenditures.
Reviewing assets and potential funding sources is essential to determine how a trust will be funded and maintained. This includes evaluating bank accounts, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, property, and any expected settlements or inheritances. Each source has unique considerations for titling, beneficiary designations, and tax consequences. We help families decide which assets should be retitled or designated to flow into the trust and advise on steps needed to fund the trust in a way that supports long-term goals while preserving public benefits.
In the drafting phase we prepare a Special Needs Trust tailored to the beneficiary’s circumstances along with complementary documents such as a Pour-Over Will, Financial Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, HIPAA Authorization, and Guardianship Nominations if appropriate. The trust will include clear distribution standards, trustee powers, and successor provisions. We review drafts with the family, explain key provisions, and make revisions until the documents align with the family’s goals and legal requirements before final execution and funding.
Drafting distribution standards involves specifying allowable uses of trust funds, such as rehabilitation, education, transportation, housing supplements, and personal care items that do not replace public benefits. Trustee powers are formalized to allow investment management, tax filings, and third-party vendor payments while maintaining accountability. Clear authority and record-keeping requirements help trustees act consistently and in the beneficiary’s best interest. The trust language also addresses successor trustees and any required payback provisions to state programs where applicable.
Coordinating trust documents with wills and beneficiary designations ensures assets flow properly into the trust after the settlor’s passing. A Pour-Over Will can direct residual assets into a Revocable Living Trust or Special Needs Trust, while life insurance and retirement accounts may require beneficiary updates or beneficiary assignment to avoid unintended disqualification of benefits. Our drafting process addresses these interactions and helps families make consistent choices across all estate planning documents so the beneficiary remains protected and assets are managed as intended.
Funding the trust is a critical step that transfers assets into the trust to ensure it can carry out its intended purpose. Funding methods vary and may include retitling bank accounts, assigning life insurance proceeds, designating retirement plan beneficiaries, or executing general assignments to the trust. After funding, ongoing administration includes record-keeping, periodic reviews, tax filings, and careful distributions in line with trust terms. Trustee training and documentation help maintain benefit eligibility and provide an auditable trail of how funds are used.
Transferring assets into the trust can involve several administrative tasks such as changing account titles, assigning ownership of real property, and updating beneficiaries on life insurance and retirement accounts. Each transfer must be handled in a way that preserves benefit eligibility and complies with relevant tax rules. We guide families through the necessary paperwork and coordinate with financial institutions and insurance carriers to complete transfers. Proper documentation at funding reduces the risk of future disputes and ensures the trust operates as intended for the beneficiary.
Trust administration requires ongoing attention to distributions, record-keeping, tax compliance, and periodic review of both the trust terms and beneficiary circumstances. Regular reviews are recommended to address life changes, shifts in public benefit rules, or alterations in the beneficiary’s needs. Trustees should maintain detailed records of expenditures and decisions to demonstrate that distributions supplement rather than replace benefits. Families and trustees may schedule periodic consultations to update the plan, ensuring it continues to meet long-term goals and operates smoothly over time.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of a person with a disability while allowing that person to remain eligible for means-tested public benefits. The trustee manages trust funds and makes distributions for supplemental items not covered by public programs, such as therapies, equipment, transportation, and enrichment activities. This separation of supplemental funds from countable assets helps the beneficiary receive both public support and discretionary assistance that improves quality of life. When drafting a trust, families set distribution standards, appoint trustees, and address successor management. The trust can be funded in different ways depending on whether the assets originate with the beneficiary or a third party. It is important to coordinate the trust terms with current benefit rules to avoid unintended consequences, and to include clear instructions that guide the trustee in making appropriate supplemental distributions.
When properly structured, a Special Needs Trust can preserve eligibility for public benefits that are based on income and asset tests. The trust must be drafted so that assets held within it are not counted as the beneficiary’s personal assets for programs such as Supplemental Security Income and Medi-Cal. Trustee discretion and carefully worded distribution provisions are essential to maintaining eligibility while allowing the trust to enhance the beneficiary’s life. Coordination with benefit rules is ongoing because program requirements and interpretations can change. Trustees should document expenditures and consult with benefit advisors if uncertain, as certain types of distributions or improper funding could inadvertently affect eligibility. Regular reviews help ensure the trust continues to operate in a way that preserves benefits.
A trustee can be a trusted family member, a professional fiduciary, or a nonprofit that administers pooled trusts, depending on the family’s needs and the complexity of the trust. The trustee is responsible for managing trust assets, making distributions for permissible supplemental needs, maintaining records, filing taxes if required, and acting according to the trust terms and fiduciary duties. Trustees must balance compassion with prudent financial management to ensure the trust supports the beneficiary over time. When selecting a trustee, families should consider the individual’s ability to handle financial tasks, willingness to serve, and availability for the long term. If a family chooses a corporate trustee or pooled trust, they should review fees and services to ensure that administration is sustainable and aligned with the beneficiary’s needs.
Yes, leaving an inheritance or life insurance to a loved one with disabilities can be achieved without harming benefits by directing those assets into a properly structured third-party Special Needs Trust. Because the assets are not owned directly by the beneficiary, the trust can be designed so distributions supplement public benefits without affecting eligibility. A Pour-Over Will or beneficiary designation can funnel assets into the trust upon the settlor’s passing. Careful drafting is necessary to ensure the trust language clearly states that funds are to be used for supplemental needs. Families should also consider tax and funding implications and coordinate beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance policies so they align with the overall plan.
A first-party trust is established with assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as an inheritance or settlement, and typically includes rules about payback to the state for benefits provided during the beneficiary’s lifetime. A third-party trust is created with assets from someone other than the beneficiary, usually a parent or relative, and often does not require payback to public programs. Each type has distinct legal and administrative implications, so the choice depends on the source of funds and the family’s objectives. Third-party trusts are commonly used for estate planning to leave assets for supplemental support, while first-party trusts are often necessary to protect benefits when the beneficiary receives funds directly. Families should evaluate which trust type matches their situation and ensure documents comply with relevant state and federal rules.
Funding a Special Needs Trust can involve retitling bank accounts, assigning life insurance proceeds, naming the trust as a beneficiary on certain assets, or executing assignments of property and accounts. The specific steps vary depending on the asset type; for example, changing account titles requires forms from financial institutions while updating beneficiary designations requires completing policy or account documents. Each funding action should be carefully documented to show that assets were transferred into the trust. It is important to coordinate funding with benefit considerations, as the timing and method of transfers can have different effects on eligibility. Professional guidance helps families prioritize which assets to fund first and ensures the process is completed correctly to preserve the trust’s intended protective function.
A properly drafted Special Needs Trust can help maintain Medicaid eligibility for long-term care by keeping countable assets out of the beneficiary’s name. A trustee must manage funds and make distributions consistent with benefit rules so that the beneficiary remains eligible for Medicaid-covered services. For beneficiaries needing long-term supports, the trust can provide for services and items not covered by Medicaid while leaving core benefits intact. Families should be aware that Medicaid rules can vary by state and may change over time, so ongoing monitoring of eligibility rules is advisable. The trust should include provisions that accommodate these changes and trustees should maintain accurate records to demonstrate compliance with program requirements.
Yes, many Special Needs Trusts include provisions that allow for modification or amendment under certain circumstances, and some trust types can be revised if the settlor is alive and the trust is revocable. Even irrevocable trusts can sometimes be modified through court-approved procedures or by agreement of interested parties, depending on state law and the trust language. Modifications may be needed when a beneficiary’s needs change, when new funding sources arise, or when laws affecting benefits are updated. Before attempting any modification, families should consult with counsel to understand the legal options and potential consequences. Properly documented changes preserve the integrity of the trust and ensure that benefits and distribution objectives remain harmonized for the beneficiary’s continued support.
Supporting documents that commonly accompany a Special Needs Trust include a Pour-Over Will, Revocable Living Trust if applicable, Financial Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, HIPAA Authorization, and guardianship nominations. These documents work together to provide clear authority for decision makers, safeguard access to medical information, and ensure assets intended for the beneficiary are directed properly. Including these complementary documents reduces gaps in decision making and helps create a comprehensive plan for care and finances. Families should also maintain records of funding transactions, beneficiary benefits, and trustee distributions. Clear documentation supports benefit preservation and demonstrates that trust funds are used for supplemental purposes, which is important for administration and any required reporting.
To begin setting up a Special Needs Trust in Poway, start by gathering information about the beneficiary’s benefits, current assets, medical needs, and family goals. Contact the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman to schedule a consultation where we will review your situation, discuss trust options, and outline the steps needed to draft and fund the trust. Preparing documents such as account statements, insurance policies, and any existing estate planning papers will make the initial meeting more productive. After the initial review we will recommend the appropriate trust type, draft the necessary documents, and assist with funding and related beneficiary designations. We also provide guidance on trustee selection and administration so families have a clear roadmap for implementing and maintaining the plan over time.
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