A Special Needs Trust is a vital planning tool for families in East Foothills who want to protect a loved one with disabilities while preserving eligibility for government benefits. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman in San Jose, we help clients design trusts that manage resources thoughtfully and responsibly. A properly drafted trust sets clear rules for distributions, names a trusted person to manage funds, and coordinates with public benefit programs. This introduction explains how a trust can provide lifetime support, reduce financial uncertainty, and ensure the individual’s needs are addressed without jeopardizing critical benefits such as Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income.
Creating a Special Needs Trust involves more than paperwork; it requires careful consideration of the beneficiary’s current and future needs, family dynamics, and available benefits. Our approach emphasizes practical planning that integrates the trust with other estate documents such as a Pour-Over Will, Financial Power of Attorney, and Advance Health Care Directive. We discuss how assets are funded into the trust, how distributions are made for housing, therapy, education, and daily living expenses, and how trustees can be guided to act in the beneficiary’s best interests. This section provides a clear overview to help families begin the planning conversation with confidence and clarity.
A Special Needs Trust protects public benefit eligibility while providing supplemental support that enhances quality of life for the beneficiary. It prevents large inheritances or saved funds from disqualifying someone from means-tested programs, while allowing funds to be used for necessities not covered by those programs. Additionally, a trust can outline long-term care plans, name successor trustees, and include instructions for end-of-life transfers. For many families, it also offers peace of mind by designating who will manage funds when parents are no longer able to. Thoughtful trust planning reduces uncertainty and helps ensure the beneficiary’s needs remain met across life stages.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman in San Jose provides estate planning services tailored to families throughout Santa Clara County, including East Foothills. Our firm focuses on clear communication, responsive service, and practical planning documents that reflect each family’s priorities. We prepare Revocable Living Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Pour-Over Wills, and related instruments such as HIPAA Authorizations and Financial Powers of Attorney. Clients can expect guidance on funding trusts, selecting trustees, and coordinating planning with retirement accounts and life insurance. Our goal is to create durable documents that are easy to follow and that anticipate common future needs without creating unnecessary complexity.
A Special Needs Trust is a dedicated legal arrangement designed to hold assets for the benefit of an individual with disabilities while protecting eligibility for public benefits. The trust accepts funds that are managed by a trustee who disburses money for supplemental needs such as therapy, education, transportation, and other quality-of-life expenses. A trust document sets parameters for discretionary distributions, establishes successor trustees, and can include provisions for periodic accounting. Families should consider how distributions may impact benefits, what types of expenses are appropriate, and how to integrate the trust with a broader estate plan including wills and powers of attorney.
There are several forms of trusts that may be relevant depending on circumstances, including third-party special needs trusts funded by family assets, and first-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s assets. First-party trusts often contain payback provisions required by Medi-Cal at the beneficiary’s passing. Funding mechanisms vary from outright gifts to transfers of property or beneficiary designations on certain accounts. The selection of trustee, drafting of distribution standards, and clear directions for successor management are important elements to reduce later disputes and to ensure the beneficiary receives consistent support over the long term.
A Special Needs Trust is a legally enforceable arrangement that holds assets for a person with disabilities without making those assets count as income for public benefit programs. Typically, the trustee has discretionary authority to use trust funds for items and services that government programs do not cover, including dental care, transportation, enrichment activities, and certain living expenses. The trust document should clearly define permissible distributions and include provisions for successor trustees and recordkeeping. Understanding the trust’s scope and limits helps families ensure that the beneficiary enjoys additional support without unintended consequences for program eligibility.
Key elements of a Special Needs Trust include clear beneficiary identification, specific distribution standards for the trustee, naming of initial and successor trustees, and provisions addressing funding and payback obligations if applicable. The process typically begins with an intake to understand the beneficiary’s benefits and financial situation, drafting tailored trust terms, and advising on funding methods. Trustees should maintain accurate records of expenditures and coordinate with benefit counselors when needed. Ongoing review is important as circumstances change, such as changes in benefits, housing needs, or family composition, so that the trust remains aligned with the beneficiary’s best available supports.
Understanding core terminology helps families navigate planning decisions. Terms such as trustee, beneficiary, discretionary distribution, payback provision, and pour-over will frequently appear in trust planning conversations. Clarity about these concepts allows families to set realistic expectations for how funds are used, who manages them, and what happens at the beneficiary’s death. This glossary section offers plain-language definitions and context so clients can make informed choices. A working knowledge of these terms also simplifies communication with financial advisors, social workers, and public benefits administrators when coordinating care and resources for the beneficiary.
A trustee is the individual or institution responsible for managing trust assets, making distributions according to the trust terms, and maintaining records. Trustees have a duty to act in the best interest of the beneficiary and must follow the legal directions outlined in the trust document. Responsibilities can include investing assets prudently, coordinating with benefit programs, and making discretionary decisions about purchases that enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life. Choosing a trustee involves considering availability, financial literacy, decision-making style, and willingness to work with advisors and caregivers to fulfill the trust’s purpose responsibly.
A payback provision requires that any remaining funds in a first-party Special Needs Trust be used to reimburse certain government programs, such as Medi-Cal, after the beneficiary’s death. This provision is common when the trust is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, including personal injury settlements or inheritances. The payback clause must be drafted to comply with program rules and state law. Families should understand how payback obligations affect long-term planning and discuss strategies to address potential reimbursement while still providing meaningful support during the beneficiary’s lifetime.
A discretionary distribution is a payment from the trust made at the trustee’s judgment for items that supplement the beneficiary’s standard of living without displacing public benefits. Distributions typically cover goods and services not provided by government programs, such as private therapies, recreational activities, travel, home furnishings, and technology. The trust document can provide guidance on priorities for distributions and may instruct trustees to consult with family members or care professionals. Properly structured discretionary powers help preserve eligibility while allowing meaningful improvements to the beneficiary’s life.
A Pour-Over Will works alongside a Revocable Living Trust to ensure that any assets not previously transferred into the trust are moved into it upon the creator’s death. This mechanism provides a safety net so that assets unintentionally left out of the trust still benefit the intended beneficiary under the trust’s terms. For families planning a Special Needs Trust, a pour-over will can help funnel assets into the structure that protects benefits and manages long-term needs. Proper coordination between the will and trust prevents unintended disinheritance and reduces administrative complications for survivors.
Families can choose among several planning options depending on the source of funds and the needs of the beneficiary. Third-party trusts funded by family members typically lack payback obligations and allow broader postmortem distribution plans. First-party trusts funded with the beneficiary’s assets often require payback to government programs. Another alternative is a pooled trust managed by a nonprofit, which can be suitable when family resources are limited. Each option carries different tax, administrative, and eligibility consequences, so weighing the trade-offs and choosing an approach that fits long-term family goals and resources is important for sound planning.
A limited trust approach can be appropriate when the beneficiary has modest supplemental needs and the family expects minimal transferable assets. If the primary aim is to provide small, periodic support for enrichment or incidental costs without complex management requirements, a narrowly drafted trust may be sufficient. This approach can reduce ongoing administrative burden while still protecting eligibility for benefits. Families should assess potential future changes in needs and income, because a trust that is suitable today may require revision later if circumstances such as medical needs, housing changes, or income shifts create new planning priorities.
When close family members are actively involved in day-to-day care and are willing to manage funds informally, a limited trust or alternative can sometimes meet immediate needs. In such cases, families may opt for simpler documents and rely on informal agreements to handle routine expenses, using a trust only for larger or longer-term assets. However, even with strong family involvement, having clear legal backing protects against future disputes and provides continuity if principal caregivers become unable to continue. A plan that balances simplicity with legal safeguards usually offers the best long-term protection for the beneficiary.
Comprehensive planning becomes important when the beneficiary’s needs are multifaceted or when multiple benefit programs interact. A full-service plan addresses legal documents, funding strategies, trustee selection, and coordination with Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income, and other supports. It helps families anticipate changes in care needs, housing requirements, and potential eligibility shifts. With a comprehensive plan, trustees and family members have a clear roadmap for financial management, health care decision-making, and long-term goals, reducing the likelihood of costly errors or interruptions in critical benefits that can harm the beneficiary’s well-being.
When there are significant assets, retirement accounts, or life insurance proceeds that will benefit a person with disabilities, comprehensive planning helps ensure those resources are used wisely and do not compromise benefits. Strategies can include funding third-party special needs trusts, creating irrevocable life insurance trusts for long-term support, or naming a trust as a retirement plan beneficiary with appropriate tax and distribution considerations. A thorough plan also addresses contingencies such as incapacity of caregivers and provides for successor trustees to manage funds consistently across future transitions.
A comprehensive approach aligns estate planning documents, beneficiary designations, and funding strategies to provide continuity of care and financial support without threatening eligibility for public benefits. By coordinating trust provisions with powers of attorney, health care directives, and pour-over wills, families create a unified plan that minimizes gaps at times of incapacity or death. This alignment reduces administrative friction, lowers the risk of benefit disqualification, and helps ensure trustees and family members have clear instructions for managing payments and care needs over the long term.
Comprehensive planning also offers flexibility to adapt to life changes, such as changes in medical care, living arrangements, or government program rules. Regular reviews of the plan allow for adjustments in trustee powers, distribution standards, and funding sources. Additionally, planning with attention to taxes, creditor protection, and future housing considerations helps families protect assets intended to enhance the beneficiary’s life. Ultimately, a coordinated plan reduces stress for caregivers by providing a clear, legally enforceable framework for how resources should be managed and used.
A well-structured trust preserves access to means-tested benefits while permitting distributions that improve daily life and opportunities. Trust terms can be tailored to provide for housing, therapies, education, and transportation, all without counting as income for programs like Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income. This balance allows families to supplement governmental assistance with private resources, ensuring the beneficiary receives a higher standard of living and greater access to services. Careful drafting and trustee guidance maintain this balance over time so that eligibility is not inadvertently lost through improper distributions.
Comprehensive documents provide clear instructions that reduce ambiguity about the creator’s intentions and guide trustees through difficult decisions. By naming successor trustees, setting distribution standards, and including standards for dispute resolution, a plan minimizes family disagreements at stressful moments. It also creates an orderly process for handling funds, obtaining receipts, and communicating with benefit administrators. This clarity can spare family members from difficult, time-consuming disputes and helps preserve relationships while ensuring the beneficiary’s needs remain the top priority.
Begin discussions about a Special Needs Trust as soon as possible to ensure a comprehensive strategy that accounts for current benefits and potential future needs. Early planning allows families to choose appropriate trustees, arrange funding methods, and coordinate beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance. Clear communication among family members and caregivers reduces surprises and helps align expectations. Documenting preferences, day-to-day routines, and important medical contacts in a companion memo can assist trustees and caregivers in making decisions that reflect the beneficiary’s needs and family values over time.
Trustees should maintain accurate records of all expenditures and decisions to provide transparency and protect both the beneficiary and the trustee. Periodic reviews—especially after major life events like a move, changes in medical care, or the death of a caregiver—allow updates to distribution standards, trustee assignments, and funding strategies. Regular reviews also provide opportunities to reassess whether the trust continues to meet the beneficiary’s needs and to make adjustments to coordination with retirement accounts, life insurance, or other estate planning documents. Consistent recordkeeping simplifies reporting and protects program eligibility over time.
Families consider a Special Needs Trust when the goal is to preserve a loved one’s access to important public benefits while also providing supplemental care and comforts that government programs do not cover. A trust can enable purchases of therapy, transportation, adaptive equipment, and recreational opportunities that improve daily life. It also appoints a trusted person to manage funds, setting clear expectations for distributions and successor management. For many households, a trust reduces long-term uncertainty and gives family members confidence that the beneficiary will have continued financial support and protection tailored to their needs.
Another important reason to establish a trust is to address the transition that occurs when primary caregivers age or pass away. Without a documented plan, relatives may face legal and financial confusion when attempting to help. A Special Needs Trust creates a structured plan that names successor trustees and outlines distribution standards, reducing the administrative burden on family members. It can also harmonize with other estate documents, like the Pour-Over Will and Financial Power of Attorney, so that assets are directed according to the family’s long-term intentions while minimizing disruption for the beneficiary.
A Special Needs Trust is often needed when a person with disabilities receives an inheritance, a personal injury settlement, or has assets that would otherwise affect eligibility for means-tested programs. It can also be appropriate when family members want to provide ongoing financial support without altering benefit status. Transitions such as a caregiver’s retirement, a move to supported housing, or changes in medical coverage frequently prompt families to formalize planning. In these circumstances, a trust provides an established structure for managing funds and ensuring consistent support tailored to the beneficiary’s everyday and long-term needs.
When a beneficiary receives an inheritance or settlement, placing those funds into a Special Needs Trust prevents disqualification from important public benefits. A trust can receive funds and direct them for supplemental needs, preserving benefits such as Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income. The trust’s terms can specify distribution priorities and include payback provisions if required by law. Promptly directing such funds into an appropriate trust reduces the risk of eligibility issues and ensures the money is used to improve the beneficiary’s quality of life while maintaining access to public support systems.
Changes in caregiver circumstances, such as retirement, illness, or relocation, often prompt the need for a carefully crafted trust. Establishing a trust ahead of such changes provides a clear plan for management and distribution of assets when primary caregivers are no longer able to handle day-to-day financial decisions. A trust that names successor trustees and provides distribution guidance ensures continuity of support for the beneficiary. Planning in advance helps avoid emergency guardianship proceedings and allows transfers of responsibilities to occur in a considered, orderly manner.
When a beneficiary requires services or equipment beyond what public benefits provide, a Special Needs Trust offers a mechanism to pay for those additional supports. Whether the need is for specialized therapies, assistive technology, education programs, or recreational activities that foster development and inclusion, trust distributions can bridge the gap. The trustee’s role is to prioritize expenditures that improve quality of life while preserving eligibility for benefits. This structure supports a balanced approach that enriches the beneficiary’s life without jeopardizing access to essential government programs.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman serves families in East Foothills and the surrounding areas of San Jose with practical estate planning services tailored to special needs situations. We assist with drafting Special Needs Trusts, coordinating funding strategies, and preparing companion documents such as Revocable Living Trusts, Pour-Over Wills, Financial Powers of Attorney, and Advance Health Care Directives. Our practice emphasizes clear communication and step-by-step guidance so families feel supported throughout the planning and funding process. We also help connect families to benefits counselors and community resources to ensure coordinated care.
Families engage our firm because we provide personalized service that focuses on practical, long-term solutions. We take time to understand the beneficiary’s daily needs, the family’s goals, and available resources. Our approach ensures trust documents reflect realistic distribution standards, sensible trustee powers, and clear successor arrangements. We assist with funding the trust, updating beneficiary designations, and coordinating related estate planning tools to create a cohesive plan that protects benefits and improves quality of life for the beneficiary over time.
Clients also value our commitment to clear communication and ongoing support. We explain complex rules in plain language, review options for trust funding and payback provisions, and guide families through common choices like naming trustees, considering life insurance planning, and coordinating with retirement accounts. We provide practical recommendations that balance protection of benefits with meaningful supplemental support, helping families implement a plan that adapts as needs change and that can be reviewed periodically to remain effective.
Finally, we assist with the administrative and documentary details that are often the most confusing after a life event. From preparing complimentary documents like HIPAA Authorizations and Guardianship Nominations to advising on recordkeeping and trustee reporting, our goal is to reduce the burden on families. We work to make transitions smoother and to preserve the beneficiary’s best interests by creating clear, durable documents that coordinate with public benefits and family intentions for ongoing support.
Our process begins with a thorough consultation to assess the beneficiary’s needs, current benefits, and family goals. We gather financial and medical information, discuss funding options, and explain the different trust forms that may apply. From there, we draft documents tailored to the family’s situation, review the plan with clients, and advise on funding steps such as updating beneficiary designations or transferring assets. We also provide trustees with guidance on documentation, allowable distributions, and coordination with benefits counselors to help ensure the trust operates as intended over time.
The initial assessment collects details about the beneficiary’s benefits, income, assets, and current caregivers. We review public benefit eligibility, potential funding sources, and family dynamics to determine which trust structure is most appropriate. This phase includes conversations about long-term needs, housing preferences, and day-to-day supports so the trust can be tailored to practical realities. A clear intake process ensures that drafting reflects both immediate priorities and foreseeable future changes, setting the stage for a durable plan that minimizes surprises down the road.
We review the beneficiary’s current enrollment in programs like Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income and assess how different funding options would affect eligibility. This includes identifying any resources that must be protected and discussing whether a first-party or third-party trust is appropriate. Understanding eligibility rules and program interactions helps shape distribution standards and funding methods so that trust assets enhance care without unintentionally disqualifying benefits. This review forms the foundation for trust drafting and trustee guidance.
During this step we evaluate the assets available to fund a trust, including personal property, life insurance, retirement accounts, and potential settlement proceeds. We discuss the mechanics of transferring assets into a trust, updating beneficiary designations, and coordinating with retirement plan administrators. The goal is to create a practical funding plan that aligns with the family’s intentions while minimizing administrative hurdles and preserving program eligibility. Proper funding is essential to ensure the trust functions effectively and benefits the intended recipient over the long term.
Once the strategy is decided, we prepare the trust document and any supporting estate planning instruments. Drafting includes setting distribution standards, naming trustees and successors, and adding provisions required by law when trust assets originate from the beneficiary. Companion documents such as a Pour-Over Will, Financial Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive, HIPAA Authorization, and Guardianship Nominations are prepared to create a cohesive plan. Clear, well-organized documents help trustees and family members understand their responsibilities and reduce the risk of disputes or missteps.
Custom drafting tailors the trust to the beneficiary’s needs and the family’s priorities, specifying permissible distributions, trustee powers, and procedures for successor appointments. The document can also include guidance on maintaining benefits and addressing payback obligations when applicable. By anticipating common decision points and documenting preferences, the trust becomes a practical roadmap for trustees and caregivers. Clear drafting reduces ambiguity and provides a steady framework for making decisions that impact the beneficiary’s daily life and future security.
Complementary documents ensure assets are directed to the trust when appropriate and that decision-makers are appointed for health and financial matters. A Pour-Over Will catches assets not previously titled to the trust, while a Financial Power of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directive designate who acts if the creator is incapacitated. HIPAA Authorizations facilitate information sharing with caregivers. Together, these documents support a comprehensive plan that addresses asset flow, decision-making authority, and access to medical information when needed.
After documents are signed, the trust must be properly funded and trustees oriented to their duties. Funding may involve retitling assets, updating beneficiary designations, or transferring settlement proceeds into the trust. We provide practical assistance with these steps and counsel trustees on recordkeeping, permissible distribution categories, and coordination with benefits administrators. A trustee orientation helps ensure consistent decision-making and prepares trustees to work with caregivers and service providers to fulfill the trust’s purposes over time.
We guide families through the paperwork needed to transfer property, retitle bank or brokerage accounts, and update life insurance or retirement plan designations when appropriate. Properly completing these transfers is essential to ensure the trust can access funds when needed and to prevent assets from being subject to probate. This stage often includes coordination with financial institutions and trustees to confirm ownership changes and to document the trust’s ability to meet the beneficiary’s ongoing needs efficiently.
We provide trustees with practical guidance on administering the trust, including how to document distributions, maintain records, and interact with benefits agencies. Ongoing support includes periodic reviews of the trust, advice about distribution decisions that may affect eligibility, and updates when laws or family circumstances change. This support helps trustees fulfill their duties responsibly and helps families adapt the plan as the beneficiary’s needs evolve, ensuring the trust continues to serve its intended purpose through changing life stages.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for a person with disabilities while allowing the person to remain eligible for means-tested government benefits. The trust pays for supplemental needs that public programs do not cover, such as therapies, personal care, education, and enrichment activities. By keeping certain assets in trust rather than in the beneficiary’s name, the trust prevents those assets from being treated as countable resources that could jeopardize benefits. Trust terms define how and when funds are used, who serves as trustee, and what happens to remaining assets at the beneficiary’s death. Proper drafting and trustee decision-making are essential to maintain benefit eligibility and ensure trust funds are used in ways that genuinely enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life. Coordination with benefits counselors is often advisable to confirm allowable distributions.
Selecting a trustee involves evaluating who can manage finances responsibly, make thoughtful discretionary decisions, and communicate well with caregivers and service providers. Many families choose a trusted relative or a professional trustee depending on the family’s needs and the complexity of the assets. It is important to name successor trustees to ensure continuity if the initial trustee becomes unavailable. Trustees should be comfortable maintaining records, following distribution standards in the trust, and consulting with benefits administrators when needed. Providing trustees with clear written guidance, an initial orientation, and access to ongoing legal advice helps avoid missteps and ensures distributions align with the trust’s purpose and the beneficiary’s needs.
A Special Needs Trust can be funded in several ways, including transfers of cash, property, life insurance proceeds, and settlement awards. Third-party trusts are funded by family members or others and often allow for postmortem distributions to other family members or causes. First-party trusts are funded with the beneficiary’s own assets and typically include a payback obligation to government programs upon the beneficiary’s death. Funding also involves administrative steps such as retitling assets, updating beneficiary designations where appropriate, and coordinating with financial institutions. Proper funding is essential so the trust can fulfill its intended role without unintended tax or benefits consequences, and families often need assistance to complete these transfers correctly.
A first-party Special Needs Trust is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, such as a personal injury settlement, savings, or income, and usually must contain a payback provision that reimburses certain government benefits after the beneficiary’s death. A third-party Special Needs Trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary, like a parent or grandparent, and generally allows the remaining assets to pass to other heirs without payback requirements. Choosing between these options depends on the source of funds and the family’s long-term intentions. Each type has different requirements and consequences for eligibility, so families should carefully consider the right structure for their situation and how it interacts with estate planning goals.
Trust distributions for housing can be complex because certain public benefits treat housing differently from other supplemental supports. In many cases, trust funds can be used for allowable housing-related expenses that enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life without directly displacing benefit eligibility. However, some benefits count in-kind support and maintenance, so careful planning and consultation with a benefits advisor help ensure that housing payments do not unintentionally affect benefits. Drafting clear trust standards and documenting housing-related distributions can provide a defensible record showing how funds were used to support the beneficiary’s needs. Trustees should consult guidance from benefits administrators and maintain records to reduce the risk of eligibility challenges.
A payback provision requires that remaining funds in a first-party trust be used to reimburse specified government programs, commonly Medi-Cal, after the beneficiary’s death. This provision is often legally required when the trust is funded with the beneficiary’s own resources. The trust document must state how and to whom repayment should be made, and it should comply with state rules governing such reimbursements. Families should understand how payback obligations affect legacy planning. In some cases, other planning techniques can reduce the impact of payback requirements on intended heirs, such as thoughtful use of third-party trusts or life insurance strategies, while still honoring legal obligations to program reimbursements.
Whether a Special Needs Trust can be changed depends on its structure. Revocable trusts can be amended during the creator’s lifetime, allowing adjustments to distributions, trustees, and funding arrangements. Irrevocable trusts are generally more difficult to modify, though some include limited mechanisms for change or may be modified under specific court procedures. Families often build in review points to ensure the plan adapts to changing needs. Regularly reviewing the plan with legal counsel helps identify necessary updates related to changes in benefits, family circumstances, or laws. Where changes are needed and the trust is revocable, amendments can be drafted to maintain alignment with the family’s goals and the beneficiary’s evolving needs.
Trustees should keep accurate records of all receipts, payments, and decisions regarding distributions. Records should include invoices, explanations for discretionary payments, communication with caregivers or providers, and any interactions with benefits agencies. Detailed documentation supports the trustee’s judgment and provides a clear audit trail if questions arise about whether distributions were appropriate. Good recordkeeping also facilitates periodic accountings to family members or courts if required and helps trustees make consistent decisions. Trustees should preserve files securely and maintain them for a reasonable period, taking care to follow any reporting or accounting obligations specified in the trust document or applicable law.
Review your Special Needs Trust periodically, especially after major life events such as changes in the beneficiary’s health, caregiver status, housing, or changes to public benefit rules. Regular reviews, perhaps every few years or after material events, help ensure distribution standards, trustee provisions, and funding strategies remain aligned with current needs and legal developments. Periodic reviews also allow families to update related documents like powers of attorney, health care directives, and beneficiary designations. Staying proactive reduces the risk of gaps in care and financial missteps, ensuring the trust continues to serve the beneficiary effectively over time.
To begin, contact our office to schedule an initial consultation where we gather information about the beneficiary’s current benefits, assets, and family goals. Bring documentation such as benefit statements, asset lists, and any existing estate planning documents. During the consultation we outline options, recommend an appropriate trust structure, and explain the next steps for drafting and funding the trust. After deciding on a plan, we prepare the trust and companion documents, review them with your family, and assist with funding steps. We also offer guidance for trustees and can coordinate with benefits counselors or financial institutions to ensure the plan is implemented smoothly.
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