Planning for a loved one with disabilities requires careful attention to both immediate needs and long-term financial security. A special needs trust helps families provide supplemental support without putting public benefits such as SSI or Medi-Cal at risk. The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists Sea Ranch and Sonoma County residents by creating clear, legally sound trust documents and related estate planning instruments tailored to each family’s circumstances. Our approach focuses on protecting benefits eligibility while arranging for discretionary distributions that enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life. This work often includes coordinating trusts with wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives.
When you begin planning, we take time to understand the family dynamic, the beneficiary’s current benefits and medical needs, and the assets that might fund a trust. Typical planning can involve a revocable living trust, pour-over will, financial power of attorney, advance health care directive, HIPAA authorization, and documents such as a certification of trust or a general assignment of assets to a trust. For many clients, planning also considers irrevocable life insurance trusts, retirement plan trusts, and provisions for pets or special care. To discuss options for a Special Needs Trust in Sea Ranch, call 408-528-2827 or request a meeting to review your situation.
A special needs trust offers a practical way to maintain public benefit eligibility while providing discretionary funds for items and services that improve life for a person with disabilities. By holding assets in trust instead of delivering them directly to the beneficiary, distributions can be limited to supplemental needs like therapy, education, transportation, recreation, or out-of-pocket medical expenses. The trust can be drafted to reflect family priorities, appoint a trustee to manage distributions responsibly, and include provisions for successor trustees if circumstances change. This type of planning also reduces the likelihood of future disputes and provides a clear framework for long-term care and financial oversight.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman is based in San Jose and serves clients across Sonoma County, including Sea Ranch. Our firm has handled a broad range of estate planning matters for individuals and families, with a strong focus on durable planning that addresses both legal and practical concerns. We prepare trusts, wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and related filings such as Heggstad petitions and trust modification petitions. We aim to provide thoughtful guidance, clear document drafting, and practical assistance with funding and administration so families can feel confident that plans will work when needed.
At its core, a special needs trust is designed to hold assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities without displacing eligibility for means-tested public benefits. There are different kinds of trusts depending on who provides the funds and the legal consequences. Third-party trusts are funded by family members and generally do not require repayment to the state. First-party trusts may be funded with the beneficiary’s own assets and often include a payback provision to reimburse Medi-Cal upon the beneficiary’s death. Choosing the appropriate structure depends on the source of funds, the beneficiary’s benefits profile, and family goals for care and support.
Beyond selecting the right type of trust, effective planning addresses how the trust will be funded and managed over time. Funding can come from inheritances, life insurance proceeds, retirement plan distributions directed into an appropriate trust vehicle, or direct transfers into a pooled trust. Trustee selection and clear distribution standards matter greatly, since trustees make discretionary decisions that affect the beneficiary’s quality of life. Coordination with other estate documents such as pour-over wills, certification of trust, and HIPAA authorizations ensures that access to information and transfer of assets happen smoothly when they are needed most.
A special needs trust is a written legal arrangement that holds assets for a person with disabilities while preserving access to public benefits like SSI and Medi-Cal. The trust is managed by a trustee who uses funds for supplemental needs that government benefits do not cover. Language in the trust typically specifies permissible uses to avoid impairing benefits, and may include provisions for successor trustees and revocation or modification procedures if allowable. For beneficiaries whose assets might otherwise disqualify them from benefits, a properly drafted trust provides a reliable mechanism to receive support without losing essential public programs.
Establishing a special needs trust usually begins with a thorough review of the beneficiary’s benefits, health care needs, and the family’s assets. Key elements include naming the beneficiary and trustee, defining permissible distributions, specifying successor trustees, and addressing payback or reimbursement clauses when required. The process also involves drafting related estate documents, funding the trust through retitling accounts or beneficiary designations, and, when necessary, preparing petitions such as a Heggstad petition to transfer assets into trust without formal probate. Proper administration requires recordkeeping and periodic review to ensure continued benefits eligibility.
Understanding common terms helps families make informed choices. Terms like beneficiary, trustee, discretionary distribution, payback provision, pooled trust, first-party trust, third-party trust, Heggstad petition, pour-over will, and certification of trust appear frequently in planning conversations. Familiarity with these concepts allows you to evaluate options and understand how each element affects benefits, long-term care, and estate administration. Clear definitions also make it easier to discuss priorities with trustees, caregivers, and other family members when crafting a plan that balances protection of public benefits with supplemental support.
The beneficiary is the individual who will receive benefit from the trust assets. In special needs planning, the beneficiary is a person with a disability whose eligibility for means-tested programs like SSI or Medi-Cal must be preserved. The trust is drafted to provide supplemental goods and services that improve the beneficiary’s life without replacing essential public benefits. While the beneficiary has a right to trust distributions under the terms of the document, actual control rests with the trustee who follows the trust instructions when making discretionary payments. Planning focuses on balancing immediate needs and long-term security for the beneficiary.
The trustee is the person or entity responsible for managing the trust assets, making distributions in accordance with the trust terms, and keeping accurate records. Trustees must understand how distributions affect public benefits and focus on permitted supplemental needs rather than basic support that would jeopardize eligibility. Duties include investing assets prudently, paying bills for approved expenses, communicating with family and care providers, and preparing accountings if required. Choosing the right trustee and providing clear distribution standards in the trust document are essential steps to ensure consistent and appropriate support for the beneficiary over time.
A first-party trust is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, such as a settlement or inheritance, and in many jurisdictions it must include a payback provision to reimburse Medi-Cal upon the beneficiary’s death. A third-party trust is funded by parents, family members, or other third parties and typically does not require payback to the state. Third-party trusts offer flexibility for families who wish to leave assets without affecting benefits. Determining which approach fits a family requires attention to the source of funds, the beneficiary’s current benefits, and long-term family goals for support and legacy planning.
A Heggstad petition is a California mechanism used to transfer assets into a trust after a grantor has died but before estate assets pass through formal probate. It allows a court to determine that certain assets belong to a trust and should be distributed accordingly. Other related filings include trust modification petitions when changes are necessary, pour-over wills that move assets into a trust at death, and certifications of trust that prove the existence of a trust without revealing confidential details. These tools help ensure trust funding and administration proceed with minimal delay.
Families can choose limited scope assistance for discrete tasks like document review, drafting a single trust, or preparing a specific petition, or they can pursue comprehensive planning that addresses the whole estate and long-term care strategy. Limited services may be sufficient when the situation is straightforward and the family has confidence in funding and administration. Comprehensive planning is generally preferable when assets are more complex, multiple beneficiaries are involved, or coordination with retirement accounts and insurance policies is necessary. The right choice depends on assets, benefits, caregiver capacity, and family goals for continuity of care.
Limited assistance can work well when a beneficiary’s benefits are already stable, assets are minimal or straightforward, and the family needs a narrowly tailored document such as a basic third-party trust or a review of an existing trust. In such situations, the focus is on preparing a few key instruments, confirming beneficiary designations, and advising on funding steps. This approach can be efficient and cost-effective for families who only need targeted help to preserve benefits and document their wishes without undertaking a full estate plan overhaul.
A limited engagement may also be appropriate when existing trust documents need modest updates, such as changing a trustee, updating contact information, or adding a HIPAA authorization or guardianship nomination. These discrete changes can often be completed quickly and affordably while keeping the rest of the estate plan intact. Responsible updates help avoid administrative confusion later and maintain alignment between the trust, power of attorney, and health care directive without requiring a full plan rewrite.
Comprehensive planning becomes important when assets include retirement accounts, life insurance policies, business interests, or significant real estate that require careful beneficiary designations and trust funding strategies. A holistic plan coordinates how each asset flows at death or incapacity so distributions support the beneficiary without disrupting means-tested benefits. Detailed planning also addresses potential tax consequences, the role of irrevocable trusts where appropriate, and the need for instruments like retirement plan trusts to manage qualified plan distributions for the long term.
When a beneficiary’s care needs may evolve over many years, comprehensive planning allows families to prepare for future contingencies, health care transitions, and changing benefits rules. This approach typically includes advance health care directives, HIPAA authorizations, durable financial powers, and clear trustee succession plans. It also anticipates the role of petitions or trust modifications if circumstances change. Preparing now reduces the likelihood of emergency filings and gives trustees a reliable framework to follow as the beneficiary’s needs shift over time.
A comprehensive approach aligns all estate documents so they work together to protect benefits and provide supplemental support. Funding the trust properly, coordinating beneficiary designations, and using instruments like pour-over wills and certifications of trust reduce the risk of assets ending up outside the intended plan. Consistent document language and clear trustee duties make administration smoother, lower the chance of disputes, and provide continuity when primary caregivers can no longer act. That clarity helps trustees focus on the beneficiary’s needs rather than navigating ambiguous instructions.
Comprehensive planning also makes it easier to integrate life insurance, retirement plan protections, and other financial tools so they support the trust’s goals. When retirement accounts are coordinated with a retirement plan trust or an irrevocable life insurance trust, families can create a predictable income stream for supplemental care. Periodic plan reviews and the ability to pursue trust modification petitions ensure the plan can adapt to new laws, changes in benefits, or evolving family circumstances. Overall, a cohesive plan saves time and reduces stress when planning matters arise.
A well-drafted trust helps preserve eligibility for means-tested programs while allowing reasonable supplemental support to improve the beneficiary’s daily life. Trust language can specify permitted uses such as therapies, educational programs, mobility aids, travel, or home modifications, which are commonly accepted as supplemental and do not count as income for benefits purposes when handled correctly. The trustee’s role is to balance careful stewardship with the beneficiary’s personal needs, using funds for things that enhance independence and wellbeing without jeopardizing vital public assistance.
Comprehensive planning reduces the administrative burden on families by anticipating common challenges and providing clear instructions for trustees and caregivers. Documents such as pour-over wills and certification of trust facilitate asset transfers into the trust, while guardianship nominations and HIPAA authorizations streamline medical decision making. Preparing successor trustee provisions and clear reporting requirements lowers the likelihood of court intervention. By addressing funding, administration, and contingency planning up front, families can avoid crises and focus on the beneficiary’s care rather than emergency legal matters.
Keep public benefit eligibility at the forefront when making distribution decisions and naming beneficiaries. Document how trust funds will be used for supplemental needs rather than replacing basic support, and keep receipts and records of distributions to demonstrate permitted expenditures when necessary. Communicate clearly with government benefits caseworkers when appropriate and consider how timing of asset transfers or beneficiary designations may affect eligibility. Thoughtful documentation and conservative distribution practices help avoid unintended interruptions to SSI or Medi-Cal benefits.
Choose trustees who understand the responsibilities of managing distributions, recordkeeping, and preserving benefits. Provide a clear succession plan for trustees and consider whether a family member, friend, or a corporate fiduciary is the best fit given the complexity of the role. Include instructions for successor trustees, accounting expectations, and a plan for periodic review of the trust documents. Open communication with caregivers and clear written guidance help trustees act consistently with family intentions and reduce the risk of conflict or confusion down the road.
Families consider special needs trusts to preserve access to important public benefits while providing additional support that improves daily life. A trust creates a legal structure that limits direct receipt of assets by the beneficiary, protecting SSI and Medi-Cal eligibility, and allows careful management of funds for long-term needs. Planning also provides clarity about who will make financial and health care decisions, reduces the chance of dispute among family members, and lays out a succession plan so the beneficiary’s needs remain met if primary caregivers are no longer able to provide care.
Creating a special needs trust is often advisable when families anticipate a future inheritance, settlement, or a change in caregiver capacity. Early planning gives time to coordinate asset titling, beneficiary designations, and insurance proceeds, as well as to implement retirement plan protections and irrevocable trust structures where appropriate. Starting the process well before an urgent need arises reduces the likelihood of emergency court filings and allows families to develop a thoughtful, sustainable plan that matches the beneficiary’s long-term care and lifestyle goals.
Situations that commonly prompt special needs planning include receiving an inheritance or settlement, a primary caregiver aging or becoming unable to continue daily care, changes in public benefit status, or acquisition of assets that might disqualify benefits. Other triggers include planning for long-term care costs, arranging for pet care in the trust, and preparing for future medical or residential needs. Recognizing these circumstances early allows families to put protections in place to maintain benefits while arranging for meaningful supplemental support.
When a person with disabilities receives a lump sum from an inheritance or settlement, placing those funds in an appropriate trust can protect benefits and provide for long-term needs. If the funds originate from the beneficiary directly, a first-party trust with a payback provision may be required; if a family member provides funds, a third-party trust may be preferable. Prompt planning preserves benefits, avoids the risk of disqualification, and gives the family a tool to manage funds for the beneficiary’s ongoing care and supplemental needs.
A caregiver’s changing health or capacity to provide care often makes a special needs trust necessary so someone else can manage finances and arrange services. Trust planning that includes trustee succession, clear distribution standards, and funding strategies provides stability should the primary caregiver retire, become ill, or pass away. It also helps ensure that day-to-day support continues uninterrupted and that the beneficiary has access to the resources needed for medical care, housing, and social participation.
Shifts in a beneficiary’s medical needs or in public benefits rules can necessitate updating or establishing a trust to maintain program eligibility and respond to new circumstances. Planning that includes HIPAA authorizations, advance health care directives, and financial powers gives trusted individuals the ability to act on the beneficiary’s behalf. Periodic review of the trust allows for adjustments such as trust modification petitions or changes to distribution standards to reflect updated care needs and legal developments.
We serve Sea Ranch and surrounding Sonoma County communities with attentive estate planning focused on special needs arrangements. Our office in San Jose provides in-person and remote meetings to accommodate schedules and travel limitations. We work with families to create practical plans that reflect their values and goals, and we provide clear instructions for trustees and caregivers. For a confidential conversation about how a special needs trust might work for your family, call 408-528-2827 to schedule a time to speak with our team about next steps.
Families choose our firm for careful legal drafting, practical attention to funding and administration, and a commitment to clear communication. We focus on creating plans that fit real life, taking into account benefits rules, the roles of caregivers and trustees, and the need for flexible, durable documents. Clients appreciate our thoughtful process, which starts with listening to family priorities and results in tailored documents aimed at protecting benefits while providing discretionary support for the beneficiary’s needs and interests.
Our estate planning services include preparing revocable living trusts, pour-over wills, financial powers of attorney, advance health care directives, HIPAA authorizations, general assignments of assets to trust, certifications of trust, irrevocable life insurance trusts, retirement plan trusts, special needs trusts, pooled trust options, pet trusts, Heggstad petitions, and trust modification petitions. We guide clients through funding steps and coordinate with insurance, retirement account administrators, and care providers to ensure the plan functions as intended for the long term.
We aim to provide accessible, practical service to families across Sea Ranch and Sonoma County, and we are reachable by phone at 408-528-2827 to answer initial questions. Our process emphasizes clarity in document language, careful attention to benefit preservation, and contingency planning for succession of trustees and caregivers. Families can rely on consistent support through plan implementation, periodic reviews, and help with any necessary filings or transfers that arise during administration.
Our process begins with an intake meeting to identify goals, review benefits, and gather financial and medical information. We then prepare a tailored plan, draft trust documents and related estate instruments, and guide you through funding steps such as retitling assets and updating beneficiary designations. After the trust is established, we provide instruction for trustees on permissible distributions and recordkeeping, and we remain available for periodic reviews, trust modifications, or filings like Heggstad petitions to confirm trust ownership of certain assets.
In the initial phase, we gather information about the beneficiary’s current benefits, medical needs, living arrangements, family supports, and the assets that might fund a trust. We review existing estate documents, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and any settlement or inheritance documents. This comprehensive assessment allows us to recommend the appropriate trust structure and associated documents, anticipate funding steps, and identify potential issues that could affect benefits or administration down the road.
We discuss what the family wants the trust to accomplish and verify how current benefits such as SSI and Medi-Cal would be affected by various funding strategies. Understanding the beneficiary’s eligibility status is essential to choosing between first-party and third-party trust options, working through payback issues, and planning distributions in a way that maintains benefits. This stage also includes considering future care needs and naming appropriate trustees and successor decision makers.
We collect bank and investment statements, deeds, titles, life insurance policies, retirement account information, social security and benefits letters, medical records, and any guardianship or conservatorship documents. This documentation supports decisions about how to fund the trust and whether additional filings are needed to confirm ownership. Having complete and organized records from the start speeds implementation and reduces the risk of avoidable complications when retitling assets or preparing petitions.
Once the plan is in place, we draft the special needs trust and any companion documents such as a pour-over will, certification of trust, financial power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, and advance health care directive. Drafting focuses on clear distribution standards, trustee powers and duties, successor trustee provisions, and any payback requirements. We review the drafts with the client to ensure instructions align with family priorities and then coordinate execution and notarial requirements to make the documents legally effective.
Trust language should clearly outline permissible uses for trust assets, provide guidance for discretionary distributions, and set expectations for recordkeeping and accounting. These provisions give trustees a framework for decision making that supports the beneficiary’s wellbeing without jeopardizing benefits. Clear standards also reduce the potential for disagreement among family members and provide successors with practical instructions to carry out the grantor’s intent over time.
We evaluate whether life insurance policies or retirement plans should name the trust as beneficiary, or whether separate trust structures like irrevocable life insurance trusts or retirement plan trusts are more appropriate. Proper beneficiary designations and trust language ensure that proceeds arrive in a form that supports the beneficiary and minimizes probate. We also advise on timing and documentation needed to effect these changes and confirm that each asset’s passage aligns with the overall plan.
Funding the trust may involve retitling bank accounts, recording deeds, changing beneficiary designations on life insurance or retirement accounts, and transferring other assets into the trust. After funding, ongoing administration includes making permitted distributions, maintaining records, preparing accountings if required, and conducting periodic plan reviews. When adjustments are needed, we assist with trust modification petitions or other filings to keep the plan current with changes in the beneficiary’s needs or in the law.
Completing the funding process requires careful attention to titles and beneficiary forms to ensure assets are controlled by the trust as intended. This step often means retitling bank and investment accounts, recording property transfers to the trust, and updating life insurance and retirement account beneficiaries. Proper documentation and confirmation of each transfer prevent unintended probate and make sure trustees can access the resources necessary to support the beneficiary promptly when needs arise.
Trusts should be reviewed regularly to confirm they continue to meet the beneficiary’s needs and reflect current laws and family circumstances. If changes are required, we can prepare trust modification petitions or other filings to update distribution standards, trustee appointments, or funding arrangements. Ongoing reviews also allow families to adapt the plan to changes in benefits rules, new asset acquisitions, or shifts in caregiving arrangements, ensuring the trust remains a reliable tool for long-term support.
A special needs trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for a person with disabilities while preserving eligibility for means-tested programs such as SSI and Medi-Cal. The trust is drafted so that distributions pay for supplemental items and services that improve quality of life without replacing basic needs covered by public benefits. A trustee manages the assets and follows the trust’s distribution standards, making decisions about permissible expenditures in light of benefits rules and the beneficiary’s needs. Creating a special needs trust typically involves assessing the beneficiary’s benefits, drafting the trust document, and funding the trust through retitling assets or beneficiary designations. The trust can be part of a broader estate plan that includes a pour-over will, powers of attorney, advance health care directive, and HIPAA authorization. Proper administration and recordkeeping are essential to maintain benefits and demonstrate that trust funds were used for permitted supplemental purposes.
Funding a special needs trust can occur through several routes depending on the source of funds. Family members often fund third-party trusts with inheritances, gifts, or life insurance proceeds. A first-party trust may be funded with assets that belong to the beneficiary, such as a settlement or inheritance, but those trusts frequently include a payback provision to reimburse Medi-Cal after the beneficiary’s death. Other funding methods include naming the trust as a beneficiary of life insurance or retirement accounts where appropriate, retitling bank and investment accounts into the trust, and using a pour-over will to move assets into a trust upon death. Funding should be coordinated carefully to avoid unintended benefits disruption and to ensure that assets are available for supplemental distributions when needed.
First-party and third-party trusts differ primarily in who provides the funds and in potential repayment obligations. A first-party trust is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets and commonly includes a payback provision requiring reimbursement to Medi-Cal upon the beneficiary’s death. This structure is often used when a beneficiary receives a settlement or an inheritance directly. A third-party trust is funded by someone other than the beneficiary, such as parents or relatives, and generally does not require payback to the state. Third-party trusts offer greater flexibility for families who want to leave resources for supplemental care without subjecting the trust assets to state reimbursement. Selecting between these options depends on the source of funds and the family’s planning goals.
When properly drafted and administered, a special needs trust should not jeopardize Medi-Cal or SSI eligibility because the trust holds assets rather than placing them directly in the hands of the beneficiary. The trust document must clearly limit distributions to supplemental goods and services that do not replace basic needs, and trustees must make distributions with benefits preservation in mind. Proper funding methods and careful administration are essential to maintain program eligibility. However, mistakes in drafting, improper distributions, or failure to fund the trust correctly can place benefits at risk. Regular review of the trust, prudent recordkeeping, and coordination with benefits caseworkers when appropriate help ensure the trust supports the beneficiary without causing unintended disqualification from essential programs.
Choosing a trustee requires consideration of trust management skills, availability, and understanding of benefits rules. A trustee might be a trusted family member who knows the beneficiary’s needs and daily routine, a friend with financial acumen, or a professional fiduciary when impartial administration is desirable. The key is selecting someone willing to keep careful records, coordinate with caregivers, and make discretionary distributions consistent with the trust terms. It is also important to name successor trustees and define expectations for reporting and accounting. If family members are unsure about the administrative responsibilities, a corporate or professional trustee can provide continuity, particularly when long-term management, complex investments, or ongoing benefit coordination are anticipated.
Leaving assets directly to a loved one with disabilities can threaten eligibility for means-tested public benefits. A lump sum or increased income may disqualify the individual from programs such as SSI and Medi-Cal, which are often essential for healthcare and daily living supports. A special needs trust provides a legal mechanism to receive and manage assets while preserving benefit eligibility by holding the funds outside the beneficiary’s personal resources and limiting distributions to supplemental needs. If you prefer not to create a trust, alternatives such as pooled trusts or structured settlement arrangements may be available, but each option has trade-offs. Planning in advance and consulting on the best approach for your family circumstances reduces the risk of unintended loss of benefits and helps ensure the beneficiary continues to receive necessary support.
A Heggstad petition is a California judicial filing used to establish that certain assets should be transferred to a trust even though formal probate has not been completed. It is commonly used when property is claimed to belong to a trust but is still titled in the deceased person’s name. The petition allows a court to determine that the asset was intended to be held by the trust, enabling the trustee to obtain clear title or access without a full probate administration. Heggstad petitions can be a useful tool to complete trust funding after a grantor’s death, reduce delay, and avoid the expense of formal probate for certain assets. When trust funding was incomplete at death, pursuing a Heggstad petition with proper documentation and affidavits can be an efficient way to effectuate the estate plan and ensure assets support the beneficiary as intended.
Medical decisions are coordinated with the trust through advance health care directives, HIPAA authorizations, and clear communication among trustees, caregivers, and medical providers. An advance health care directive names a decision maker and expresses the beneficiary’s preferences regarding treatments and end-of-life care, while HIPAA authorization allows designated individuals to access medical records. These documents complement the trust by ensuring the person responsible for health decisions can act in a manner consistent with the trust’s financial provisions and the beneficiary’s needs. Including clear instructions in estate planning documents and maintaining open lines of communication among family, caregivers, and medical professionals reduces confusion in critical moments. Regularly updating these documents and confirming that appointed agents understand the beneficiary’s care goals ensures that medical and financial decisions remain coordinated and supportive of the overall plan.
Yes, a special needs trust can often be modified, depending on the terms of the document and applicable law. If the trust contains provisions allowing amendment or if all interested parties agree, modifications can be achieved through the mechanisms the trust provides. When changes are necessary due to evolving family circumstances, updated laws, or shifts in the beneficiary’s needs, a trust modification petition may be appropriate to reflect new intentions and preserve benefits. If a trust is irrevocable and lacks amendment provisions, making changes can be more complex and may require court approval. Regular reviews of the trust and proactive planning help avoid the need for court intervention, but when modifications are needed, seeking legal guidance ensures changes are implemented in a way that maintains benefit protection and administrative clarity.
Begin by gathering information about the beneficiary’s current benefits, medical needs, and financial resources. Collect documents such as social security award letters, bank statements, deeds, life insurance policies, and any prior estate planning documents. Contact our office at 408-528-2827 to schedule an initial discussion so we can learn about your goals, explain options like first-party or third-party trusts, pooled trust arrangements, and recommend next steps for drafting and funding a plan. After the initial assessment, we draft a trust tailored to your family’s situation and prepare related instruments including powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and pour-over wills. We then assist with funding the trust by updating account titles and beneficiary designations, and we provide guidance to trustees on permissible distributions and recordkeeping to preserve benefits over the long term.
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