Planning for a loved one with disability requires careful consideration of legal, financial, and care-related issues. A special needs trust helps protect public benefits while providing for extra care that improves quality of life. At the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman, we assist families in Sonoma County and Larkfield-Wikiup to design trust arrangements that respect the beneficiary’s needs and legal eligibility. This introductory section explains the role of a special needs trust, common misconceptions, and how a trust can be shaped to fit long-term family goals while preserving necessary benefits and personal dignity.
Families often feel overwhelmed when trying to secure both public benefits and supplemental support for a person with disabilities. A properly drafted special needs trust coordinates legal documents like wills, powers of attorney, and health directives with the trust plan so resources are used effectively and compassionately. This paragraph outlines practical considerations for deciding whether a trust is appropriate, how funds may be used to enhance daily living, and how a trustee can carry out the family’s intentions while maintaining benefit eligibility and responding to changing needs over time.
A special needs trust provides a legal mechanism to hold and manage assets for someone with disabilities without jeopardizing eligibility for public benefits like Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income. Beyond preserving benefits, the trust allows funds to be used for quality-of-life items such as education, therapy, transportation, and recreational activities that public programs do not cover. Proper planning reduces the risk of benefit interruptions and gives families more control over how discretionary funds are spent. It also clarifies long-term care expectations and creates a framework for successor trusteeship and trustee responsibilities to ensure continuity of care.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services tailored to families throughout California, including residents of Larkfield-Wikiup and Sonoma County. Our practice focuses on practical, legally sound planning for trusts, wills, and related documents that reflect family values and safeguard resources. We prioritize clear communication, accessible advice, and careful drafting so that documents function as intended. Our approach is collaborative, working with families and care teams to anticipate future needs while keeping administration manageable and aligned with available benefits and local court requirements.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities while maintaining the beneficiary’s eligibility for means-tested public benefits. The trust can pay for items and services that enhance quality of life without being counted as available resources for benefit programs. Drafting requires careful attention to trust language, permissible expenditures, and whether the trust is funded from third-party sources or from the beneficiary’s assets. Understanding the differences between trust types helps families choose the right vehicle for their situation and long-term planning goals.
Different trust types address different circumstances: third-party trusts are funded by parents or relatives, while first-party trusts may be used when the beneficiary receives a settlement or inheritance. Third-party trusts usually avoid payback provisions to public agencies, while first-party trusts often include payback terms to preserve program integrity. Beyond these distinctions, guardianship considerations, powers of attorney, and health care directives should be coordinated with trust planning to ensure day-to-day and long-term decisions fall to trusted individuals and the beneficiary retains dignity and continuity of care.
A special needs trust is a legal instrument that separates funds designated for supplemental care from the beneficiary’s personal assets. The trustee manages trust assets and disburses funds for approved uses that complement public benefits without disqualifying the beneficiary. Trust language typically outlines permissible expenditures, trustee powers, and reporting obligations. The trust document should also address successor trusteeship and how distributions consider the beneficiary’s unique needs. Clear written guidelines help the trustee make responsible choices while preserving the beneficiary’s eligibility for programs that rely on strict income and asset limits.
Essential components of a special needs trust include clear beneficiary identification, precise trust terms limiting distributions to supplemental needs, trustee powers and duties, funding mechanisms, and successor trustee arrangements. The administrative process includes drafting the trust, funding it through wills, transfers, or settlements, and establishing recordkeeping practices for expenditures. Trustees should maintain careful documentation to demonstrate that distributions support allowable items and do not replace benefits. Proper coordination with benefits caseworkers, accountants, and care providers helps ensure that the trust functions smoothly and adaptively as circumstances change.
Understanding common terms reduces confusion when creating and administering a trust. This section provides plain-language definitions for terms you will encounter during planning, such as trustee, beneficiary, payback provision, third-party trust, and first-party trust. It also explains how terms relate to eligibility rules for public benefits. Familiarity with the glossary helps families ask informed questions, compare options, and recognize which provisions are most relevant to their loved one’s care and financial situation. Clear definitions support better decision-making and smoother communication with advisors.
A trustee is the person or entity responsible for managing the trust’s assets and making distributions for the beneficiary’s benefit. Trustees must follow the trust terms, act in the beneficiary’s best interests, and keep accurate records of receipts and disbursements. Trustee duties typically include investing trust assets prudently, coordinating with care professionals, complying with reporting obligations, and making discretionary decisions about allowable expenditures. A successor trustee is named to take over if the original trustee can no longer serve, ensuring continuity in management and support for the beneficiary over time.
A first-party trust holds funds that belong to the beneficiary, often arising from an inheritance, settlement, or other asset that is in the beneficiary’s name. These trusts frequently include a payback provision requiring reimbursement to public benefit programs from remaining trust funds after the beneficiary’s death. First-party trusts allow beneficiaries to preserve program eligibility while having funds managed for their benefit. Proper drafting is necessary to meet program rules and protect the beneficiary’s access to important services. Court involvement may be required in some jurisdictions to establish or approve such trusts.
A third-party trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary, commonly parents or relatives who want to leave assets for the beneficiary without affecting benefit eligibility. Because funds come from a third party, these trusts typically do not require payback to public agencies and can be structured to provide long-term provisions for housing, education, enrichment, and care management. Third-party trusts offer flexibility in defining permissible expenses and successor arrangements, making them a common planning tool for families seeking to protect both benefits and supplemental support.
A payback provision requires that any remaining trust funds be used to reimburse public benefit programs, such as Medi-Cal, for services provided to the beneficiary during their lifetime. This provision is common in first-party trusts and must be clearly described in the trust document. While the payback reduces the estate’s residual assets, it ensures compliance with program rules and can be an acceptable trade-off to preserve eligibility during the beneficiary’s life. Third-party trusts typically avoid such provisions, preserving more control for the donor’s chosen remainder beneficiaries.
Choosing between trust types and other planning tools depends on who is funding the trust, the beneficiary’s current benefits, and the family’s long-term goals. Options include third-party special needs trusts, first-party payback trusts, pooled trusts administered by nonprofit organizations, and simpler arrangements like powers of attorney or guardianship when decision-making authority is needed. Each approach involves trade-offs in flexibility, administrative burden, and impact on public benefits. Families should weigh whether preserving benefit eligibility or maintaining greater control over assets is the priority, and how successor planning and potential court involvement may affect outcomes.
A limited approach may be suitable when the beneficiary’s needs are modest and public benefits already cover essential services. If the family expects only short-term supplemental expenses, straightforward arrangements such as a payable-on-death account to a caregiver, a small third-party trust funded through an estate plan, or coordination through a care manager can provide support without the complexity of a fully funded trust. Simpler solutions reduce administration and cost, but families should still ensure that any assets intended to help the beneficiary will not affect eligibility for means-tested programs.
Another situation where a limited approach may work is when the beneficiary has stable, predictable care needs and there are clear informal supports in place, such as family caregiving and reliable public benefits. In these circumstances, families sometimes choose modest estate planning tools that provide occasional supplemental funds without creating a complex trust. It remains important to document intentions and coordinate with benefits caseworkers so that any legacy or periodic support does not inadvertently disqualify the beneficiary from essential programs or create administrative complications in the future.
When a beneficiary’s needs are complex, long-term, or expected to change over time, a comprehensive planning approach gives families a durable framework for support. Comprehensive plans integrate special needs trusts with wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and beneficiary designations to avoid gaps that could compromise benefits or access to care. They also build in successor trustee plans and detailed distribution policies so the trust continues to serve its purpose even if the original caregiver cannot continue. This coordinated strategy reduces the risk of disputes and helps ensure consistent care and financial stewardship.
A comprehensive plan anticipates interactions with public benefits, estate taxes, and potential eligibility changes, ensuring that the trust remains compliant over time. It also provides mechanisms for updating provisions as laws and family circumstances evolve. By integrating beneficiary nominations, pour-over wills, and related documents, families can ensure assets fund the trust correctly and avoid unintended disqualification from programs. Additionally, clear instructions for trustees and documentation standards make administration more transparent and protect the beneficiary’s long-term access to necessary services and supports.
An integrated approach reduces uncertainty and the risk of unintended consequences. By coordinating wills, powers of attorney, advance health directives, and a special needs trust, families create a single, cohesive plan that covers financial management, health care decision-making, and long-term support. This reduces conflict among family members and simplifies the trustee’s job. Additionally, a comprehensive plan can include provisions for housing, education, and enrichment activities that improve quality of life without risking benefit eligibility. Clear successor provisions and reporting guidelines further protect the beneficiary over time.
Beyond protecting benefits and coordinating documents, a comprehensive plan gives families peace of mind by outlining practical steps for the future. It allows for defined trustee discretion, standards for permissible distributions, and instructions for addressing unexpected circumstances. Families can also include guidance for trusted caregivers and nominate guardians or health proxies. The result is a plan that is administrable, protective, and flexible enough to adapt to life changes while maintaining the beneficiary’s dignity and access to public programs and services.
A primary advantage of a comprehensive special needs planning strategy is that it protects eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested benefits while allowing families to provide supplemental resources for comfort, therapy, and community participation. The trust allows careful earmarking of funds for services not covered by public programs and avoids counting trust assets as personal resources. This balance preserves vital baseline services and provides discretionary support that improves the beneficiary’s day-to-day life without risking discontinuation of essential benefits.
Comprehensive planning creates continuity through named successor trustees, documented distribution policies, and coordinated estate documents that simplify administration and reduce uncertainty. Clear instructions reduce family disagreement and ensure a consistent approach when circumstances change. Administrative ease comes from standardized recordkeeping, established processes for communicating with benefits administrators, and predefined roles for caregivers and trustees, all of which help preserve resources and ensure the beneficiary receives consistent, well-managed support over time.
When drafting and funding a special needs trust, communicate proactively with benefits caseworkers to confirm how distributions will be treated. Proper documentation and advance coordination reduce the risk of misunderstandings that could affect eligibility. Keep detailed records of all trust expenditures and retain receipts showing how funds were used for permitted items and services. Regular communication with caseworkers and periodic reviews of benefit rules help ensure trust administration remains consistent with program requirements as rules evolve or family circumstances change.
Maintain a written statement of intent that outlines preferred care approaches, daily routines, and priorities for spending trust funds. Although not legally binding, this guidance helps trustees make decisions consistent with family wishes. Review the trust, related estate planning documents, and beneficiary designations periodically—especially after major life events, changes in public benefit rules, or shifts in the beneficiary’s needs. Regular updates ensure the plan remains effective, reduces surprises, and keeps funds available for meaningful uses that enhance the beneficiary’s well-being.
Families consider special needs trust planning to protect a loved one’s access to public benefits while providing supplemental resources for a better quality of life. Trusts help avoid benefit disqualification by segregating resources and directing discretionary spending through a trustee. They also formalize long-term arrangements for managed care, successor decision-makers, and contingency plans should the primary caregiver become unable to serve. This planning protects both the beneficiary’s daily access to services and the family’s intent to provide continued support without unintended legal or financial consequences.
Another reason to pursue formal trust planning is to reduce potential conflict among family members and provide clarity about roles and distribution priorities. Trusts can name trustees, set rules for distributions, and establish reporting and oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability. They also integrate with other estate planning documents like pour-over wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives, creating a comprehensive plan that covers financial management, medical decision-making, and end-of-life considerations. This cohesive strategy helps ensure the beneficiary’s needs remain central during transitions and unforeseen events.
Families often turn to special needs trusts after receiving a settlement, inheritance, or when a parent or relative wishes to plan a legacy without affecting benefits. Other common triggers include the need to coordinate care after a caregiver can no longer provide daily support, planning for future housing or education costs, and protecting assets when a beneficiary has limited capacity to manage money. In each case, creating a trust helps ensure that funds are used to enhance the beneficiary’s life while preserving eligibility and making long-term administration more manageable.
When a person with disabilities receives a settlement or inheritance, placing those funds into an appropriate trust prevents the assets from disqualifying the individual from public benefits. A properly drafted trust directs how funds may be used for supplementary needs, and in first-party trust situations, it often includes provisions to reimburse public benefits after the beneficiary’s death. Establishing the trust promptly after receipt of funds helps maintain benefit continuity and ensures that the money performs its intended supportive role without creating administrative hurdles.
The transition of care due to a caregiver’s aging, death, or incapacity often necessitates a trust to ensure continuous management of funds and care coordination. Trust planning addresses successor trustees, distribution priorities, and directions for daily support and long-term decisions. With a trust in place, the next trustee has a legal framework to follow, minimizing disruption and preserving the beneficiary’s access to services. Documented instructions and a designated trustee reduce uncertainty and help maintain the beneficiary’s living arrangements and support network.
Families sometimes create special needs trusts to fund long-term quality-of-life needs that public programs do not cover, such as recreational programs, adaptive equipment, transportation, or enrichment activities. A trust can also provide for housing supports or community integration services that enhance independence and well-being. By specifying allowable uses, a trust ensures supplemental funds are spent on meaningful improvements while maintaining eligibility for essential public benefits, safeguarding both immediate and future opportunities for the beneficiary.
Serving families in Larkfield-Wikiup and the surrounding areas of Sonoma County, the Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides accessible planning support tailored to local needs. We work with families to understand California benefit rules and ensure trust documents reflect regional considerations such as local service providers, housing options, and court procedures. Our practice helps families navigate funding strategies, trustee selection, and coordination with county benefits administrators to protect eligibility and secure practical support for the beneficiary’s day-to-day life and future care needs.
Families rely on careful, clear legal guidance when planning for a loved one with disabilities. Our firm focuses on creating practical trust documents, coordinating related estate planning instruments, and providing guidance on funding and administration. We emphasize straightforward communication, responsive service, and attention to the family’s goals so legal tools function in real life. Planning includes helping select trustees, drafting distribution standards, and setting up documentation practices that make trust administration as smooth as possible for caregivers and trustees alike.
We prioritize thoroughness in draft documents and consider how trusts will operate with California benefits programs such as Medi-Cal and SSI. Our process includes reviewing financial circumstances, discussing housing and care goals, and recommending appropriate trust structures to match those objectives. Where necessary, we coordinate with other professionals—such as financial advisors, case managers, and health providers—to ensure the plan is both legally sound and practically effective for the beneficiary’s daily life and long-term needs.
Our goal is to deliver plans that families understand and can implement with confidence. We help prepare supporting documents like pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and guardianship nominations when needed, so the entire legal framework is cohesive. By anticipating common administrative challenges and documenting intent, we reduce the risk of disputes and create continuity of care that protects the beneficiary’s access to services and overall well-being through life’s transitions.
Our process begins with an in-depth intake to understand the beneficiary’s needs, family dynamics, resources, and current benefit status. We then recommend an appropriate trust type and draft tailored documents, coordinating them with wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. After documents are reviewed and executed, we assist with funding the trust, provide trustee guidance, and offer practical administration tips. Periodic reviews help ensure the plan remains aligned with changes in benefits rules and family circumstances, preserving intended protections over time.
The first step is a comprehensive assessment of the beneficiary’s current benefits, assets, and care needs. We gather financial information, existing estate documents, and details about medical care and daily support. This evaluation helps determine whether a third-party trust, first-party trust, pooled trust, or another arrangement is most appropriate. We outline options, expected outcomes, and administrative responsibilities so families can make informed decisions about which plan best addresses their goals.
Collecting accurate information about income, assets, and current benefit status is essential to create a trust that preserves program eligibility. This involves reviewing bank accounts, property ownership, retirement accounts, and any pending settlements. We also examine current enrollment in programs like Medi-Cal and SSI and how proposed distributions might affect eligibility. Accurate documentation enables precise drafting and reduces the chance of problems during trust administration or when interacting with benefits administrators.
We discuss both immediate and long-term goals for the beneficiary, including preferred living arrangements, educational or vocational plans, therapeutic services, and social engagement. Understanding daily routines and caregiver roles helps tailor trust distribution standards to realistic needs. Conversations also cover potential successor trustees, desired levels of oversight, and the family’s priorities for balancing benefit preservation with supplemental supports that enhance the beneficiary’s life.
During step two, we prepare the trust document and related estate planning instruments, ensuring language is precise and aligned with California rules governing public benefits. Drafting covers trustee powers, distribution standards, funding instructions, and successor arrangements. We walk clients through the documents, explain their legal effects, and make revisions as needed. Once finalized, we supervise proper signing and notarization to create legally effective instruments and provide guidance on funding the trust efficiently.
Supporting documents include a pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, and any necessary certifications of trust or assignment documents. These pieces work together to ensure that assets are directed into the trust and decision-making authority is clearly assigned. Preparing these documents in tandem prevents gaps and ensures that the trust funding mechanisms function as intended when assets transfer on death or when the beneficiary receives funds.
Final execution includes ensuring all signing formalities, witness and notarization requirements are met, and original documents are stored securely with copies provided to trustees and key family members as appropriate. We also prepare funding checklists and provide instructions for transferring assets into the trust. Proper execution and funding are crucial to ensure the trust operates as intended and that assets are protected for supplemental use for the beneficiary.
Once the trust is executed, the funding and administration phase begins, including transferring assets into the trust, setting up bank accounts, and establishing accounting practices. Trustees should keep detailed records and follow distribution standards. We provide guidance on coordinating with benefits administrators, handling reimbursements when applicable, and performing periodic reviews. Ongoing review helps adapt the plan to legal or life changes, ensuring the trust remains functional and continues to serve the beneficiary’s evolving needs effectively.
Funding may involve retitling assets, assigning beneficiary designations, or funding through pour-over wills at death. Trustees must manage investments prudently and keep accurate records of transactions and distributions. Establishing clear documentation practices protects the trust’s integrity and aids in communication with benefits administrators. We advise on handling different asset types, coordinating with financial institutions, and maintaining accounts that reflect the trust’s purpose while meeting reporting needs of benefit programs.
Because benefit rules, family circumstances, and the beneficiary’s needs can change, periodic reviews are essential. These reviews assess whether the trust terms remain appropriate, confirm that distributions align with allowable uses, and consider updates to the trustee or funding strategy. We recommend periodic check-ins and reviews after major life changes so the trust continues to function well and remains consistent with both legal requirements and the family’s wishes.
A special needs trust is designed to hold and manage assets for a person with disabilities while preserving eligibility for means-tested public benefits such as Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income. The trust separates supplemental resources from the beneficiary’s personal assets so that those funds are not counted as available resources when determining benefit eligibility. It typically allows distributions for items and services that improve quality of life but are not covered by government programs, and it names a trustee to manage funds in the beneficiary’s best interest. Careful drafting is essential because the trust’s language determines what distributions are permitted and how they affect benefits. Different trust types have different rules, such as payback provisions for first-party trusts that require reimbursement to public programs upon the beneficiary’s death. Coordinating the trust with other estate documents and maintaining clear records of expenditures are critical steps to ensure the trust achieves its purpose without jeopardizing benefits.
A third-party trust is typically funded by someone other than the beneficiary—often parents or relatives—and is generally used to preserve benefits for the beneficiary while allowing the donor to control the use of assets after death. Third-party trusts do not usually require payback to public agencies, making them a common choice for legacy planning. In contrast, first-party trusts are funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, such as a settlement or inheritance, and often include a payback provision to reimburse public benefits programs after the beneficiary’s death. Choosing between these trust types depends on who provides the funds, the beneficiary’s current benefits and legal status, and long-term family goals. Legal and financial implications differ, so families should evaluate the source of funds, desired remainder beneficiaries, and how payback provisions align with the family’s intentions and obligations to public programs.
Trustees are chosen for their ability to manage finances responsibly, communicate with caregivers and providers, and follow the trust’s terms. A trustee may be a trusted family member, friend, or a professional fiduciary, each offering different advantages. The trust document should state trustee powers, duties, and successor arrangements. Trustees have responsibilities such as managing investments prudently, keeping detailed records, coordinating distributions to meet allowable needs, and communicating with benefits administrators when necessary. Selecting the right trustee also involves considering availability, willingness to serve, and capacity to handle long-term responsibilities. Families often name successor trustees to ensure continuity. Providing clear written guidance and documentation of the beneficiary’s preferences helps the trustee implement the family’s intent while making discretionary decisions in the beneficiary’s best interest.
A special needs trust can pay for many forms of housing and long-term supports that public benefits may not fully cover, such as specialized housing modifications, transportation, guardian or caregiver stipends, and community-based services. The trust must be carefully managed so that distributions for housing do not count as countable income or assets that would disrupt benefit eligibility. Rules vary depending on the type of benefit and the nature of the expenditure, so trustees should consult guidance on permissible uses. Long-term residential care funded through a trust requires careful coordination with benefit programs and possibly different arrangements for where funds are directed. For example, certain housing payments made on the beneficiary’s behalf can be structured to avoid direct disqualification. Trustees should maintain documentation and seek legal guidance to confirm that housing-related expenditures align with benefit rules and the trust’s terms.
What happens to trust assets after the beneficiary’s death depends on whether the trust is a first-party or third-party trust and on the trust’s payback provisions. First-party trusts often require that remaining funds repay public benefits programs for services provided to the beneficiary, with any remainder distributed according to the trust’s terms. Third-party trusts commonly name remainder beneficiaries, such as family members or charitable organizations, who receive remaining assets without a payback requirement. Trust language should specify the distribution process and any reimbursement obligations. Clear instructions reduce uncertainty and help ensure that remaining assets are distributed according to the donor’s intentions while complying with applicable program rules and state laws. Trustees must follow the trust terms and any statutory requirements during final accounting and distribution.
You can fund a special needs trust through a pour-over will, which directs probate assets into a previously established trust at the testator’s death. This approach allows you to name the trust as the beneficiary of assets that pass through probate, ensuring that funds are distributed according to the trust’s terms rather than directly to the beneficiary. Properly executed pour-over wills work with trusts to streamline asset transfer and preserve benefit compatibility when assets reach the trust after probate. Funding through a will requires careful coordination with beneficiary designations on accounts and property titling to minimize the need for probate and ensure the trust receives intended assets. Some assets, such as retirement accounts, may need beneficiary designations updated to align with the trust plan. Regular review helps confirm the funding strategy remains effective as circumstances change.
Pooled trusts are managed by nonprofit organizations and pool funds from multiple beneficiaries for investment and administrative efficiency while maintaining separate accounts for distribution purposes. They are an option when setting up an individual trust is impractical or costly. Pooled trusts accept contributions from first-party sources and typically include a payback provision to reimburse public programs upon a beneficiary’s death, with remaining funds used according to the nonprofit’s policies and the trust agreement. Choosing a pooled trust can reduce administrative burden and provide experienced management of trust assets, which is beneficial for families who prefer to rely on institutional administration. It is important to review the pooled trust’s terms, fees, and payback rules to determine whether it aligns with the family’s goals and the beneficiary’s long-term needs.
California courts generally recognize special needs trusts when they are properly drafted and comply with state and federal benefit rules. Courts may be involved in establishing certain first-party trusts or in resolving disputes over trustee actions or trust interpretation. Proper documentation, clear trust language, and adherence to statutory requirements reduce the likelihood of litigation and help ensure that the trust is upheld if reviewed by a court or benefits administrator. When establishing a trust, families should be mindful of California-specific rules and coordinate with legal counsel to ensure the trust fulfills state and federal requirements. Good recordkeeping, transparent trustee practices, and well-documented intentions help demonstrate the validity of trust actions in court proceedings or administrative reviews.
Periodic review of a special needs trust is advisable to ensure that the trust remains compliant with laws, benefit program rules, and the beneficiary’s evolving needs. Reviews should occur after major life events such as changes in benefits, a beneficiary’s change in care needs, a trustee’s unavailability, or changes in financial circumstances. Regular check-ins allow families to update trustees, revise distribution standards, and adjust funding strategies as necessary. Updating related estate planning documents at the same time ensures consistency across wills, powers of attorney, and health directives. Scheduling reviews every few years, or sooner when circumstances change, helps maintain a functional and protective plan that adapts to new challenges while preserving the beneficiary’s access to essential services.
To help ensure trustees follow your wishes, include detailed distribution standards and a written statement of intent within the trust package. While the statement of intent is not legally binding, it provides trustees with clear guidance on priorities, daily routines, and preferred uses of funds. The trust document itself should specify allowable expenditures, reporting requirements, and trustee duties to create enforceable obligations. Selecting a trustee who shares the family’s values and providing orientation and written procedures enhances adherence to your intentions. Naming co-trustees or a trust protector who oversees trustee actions can add accountability. Regular reporting requirements and third-party reviews provide additional checks to confirm that the trustee acts in accordance with the trust’s terms and the family’s objectives.
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