A Special Needs Trust is an estate planning tool designed to protect the financial future of a person with disabilities while preserving access to means-tested public benefits. When preparing a plan in Corning or elsewhere in Tehama County, it is important to consider how assets will be managed for the long term, how distributions will affect benefits, and who will act as trustee. This guidance introduces the role of a Special Needs Trust within an overall estate plan and explains how properly structured trust arrangements help maintain quality of life for a loved one with disabilities without jeopardizing eligibility for Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income, and other assistance programs.
Families creating a Special Needs Trust often have many questions about funding, trustee duties, and coordination with other planning documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. This resource outlines practical considerations for selecting the right trust type, identifying funding sources like retirement accounts or life insurance, and drafting distribution language tailored to an individual’s needs. It also covers common supplemental planning tools such as a letter of intent and guardianship nominations to provide a clear roadmap for caregivers and fiduciaries who will manage affairs over time in a way that supports independence and well-being.
A Special Needs Trust offers a structured way to provide for a person with disabilities without disrupting eligibility for government benefits. It allows family members to set aside funds for supplemental care, education, therapy, and other quality-of-life expenses that public programs do not cover. By naming a trustee and setting distribution standards, families can ensure continuity of support if the primary caregiver is no longer able to manage affairs. The trust can also address future care needs, coordinate with other estate planning documents, and reduce the likelihood of family disputes over inheritance or management of assets.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides estate planning services tailored to families throughout California, including caregivers in Corning and Tehama County. Our practice focuses on creating practical, durable plans that reflect your family’s priorities, using documents such as revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and special needs trusts. We emphasize clear communication, careful drafting, and ongoing client support so that trustees and loved ones can carry out your intentions effectively. Contact us to discuss how a Special Needs Trust fits into a larger estate plan adapted to your circumstances and goals.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement that holds assets for the benefit of an individual with disabilities while protecting their eligibility for government benefit programs. The trust is managed by a trustee who follows the trust terms to make distributions for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs. Funding sources can include accumulated assets, inheritances, personal injury settlements, retirement accounts, and life insurance proceeds. The trust document outlines permissible uses of trust funds, successor trustees, and conditions for termination, offering families a flexible mechanism to enhance a beneficiary’s quality of life without replacing public supports.
There are different forms of Special Needs Trusts, such as first-party trusts, third-party trusts, and pooled trusts, each with distinct rules and implications. First-party trusts are funded with the beneficiary’s own assets and may require repayment to the state for public benefits upon the beneficiary’s death. Third-party trusts are funded by family members and generally avoid reimbursement requirements. Pooled trusts are administered by nonprofit organizations and can be useful when individualized trustees are not desired. Choosing the right trust type involves reviewing the beneficiary’s current benefits, likely future needs, and family preferences for control and oversight.
A Special Needs Trust is a fiduciary arrangement that holds money or property for a person with disabilities and directs the trustee to use trust assets to meet needs that public benefits do not cover. The trust is designed so distributions are supplemental and do not constitute countable income for eligibility purposes. Drafting precise language about permissible uses, trustee powers, and reserve funds helps prevent disputes and unintentional benefit loss. The trust can cover medical costs not covered by benefits, transportation, education, therapies, and other items that enhance the beneficiary’s lifestyle and independence.
Establishing a Special Needs Trust begins with identifying goals for the beneficiary, deciding who will serve as trustee, and selecting the appropriate trust type. Drafting should address funding sources, distribution standards, recordkeeping requirements, and coordination with benefit programs. The trustee must understand how to make distributions in a way that supplements rather than replaces benefit entitlements. Periodic reviews are important to accommodate changes in the beneficiary’s health, available programs, and family circumstances. Proper planning also considers successor trustees and instructions for trust termination and asset disposition.
Familiarity with common terms helps families navigate trust planning and communicate effectively with advisors. This glossary highlights concepts such as third-party and first-party trusts, pooled trusts, trustee powers, payback provisions, medi-cal planning, and letters of intent. Understanding these definitions clarifies how various documents interact and the consequences of funding decisions. An informed approach allows you to choose provisions that reflect your values and protect long-term support for a beneficiary while minimizing administrative complications and preserving eligibility for public assistance programs.
A third-party Special Needs Trust is created by someone other than the beneficiary, typically a parent or other family member, to hold assets designated for the beneficiary’s supplemental needs. Funds in a third-party trust usually do not require repayment to the state upon the beneficiary’s death, making this structure attractive for family gifting and inheritance planning. The trust terms can be crafted to provide broad discretion to the trustee for spending on housing, education, therapies, travel, and other purposes that enhance the beneficiary’s life without affecting eligibility for needs-based government benefits.
A first-party Special Needs Trust, sometimes called a payback trust, is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, which can include inheritances, personal injury settlements, or savings. These trusts are often required to include a repayment clause that requires the state to be reimbursed for public benefits provided to the beneficiary after their death. This trust type is commonly used when the beneficiary receives a significant award or inheritance and needs to maintain benefit eligibility while benefiting from the trust’s supplemental funding during their lifetime.
A pooled Special Needs Trust is managed by a nonprofit organization that combines the funds of multiple beneficiaries for investment purposes while maintaining individual subaccounts for each beneficiary. This option can be beneficial when families prefer the nonprofit to handle investments and administration rather than appoint a private trustee. Pooled trusts are available as first-party or third-party arrangements depending on funding, and they often include a mechanism for state payback while potentially offering lower administrative costs and professional fiduciary oversight.
A payback provision is a clause commonly found in first-party Special Needs Trusts that requires the trustee to reimburse the state for certain public benefits provided to the beneficiary after the beneficiary’s death. This reimbursement usually applies to Medi-Cal costs and other needs-based benefits. The provision must be carefully drafted to comply with federal and state rules while balancing the family’s desire to preserve assets for other heirs. Clear payback language helps trustees understand post-death obligations and ensures the trust remains valid under statutory requirements.
Selecting among third-party trusts, first-party trusts, pooled trusts, or relying solely on wills and guardianship requires careful analysis of each option’s effects on benefits, control, and estate disposition. A will alone may result in court oversight and potential delays, while a well-drafted trust can provide immediate and ongoing financial management. Factors such as funding source, tax considerations, and the beneficiary’s current and anticipated needs influence the recommendation. Comparing options helps families balance immediate care needs, long-term sustainability, and administrative simplicity to find the most practical approach.
A limited planning approach may suit situations where the beneficiary’s needs are relatively modest and predictable, such as occasional therapy costs or supplemental transportation expenses. If family resources are small and the beneficiary’s public benefits sufficiently cover core needs, creating a simple third-party trust or designating manageable gifts may suffice. In these scenarios, minimizing administrative complexity while documenting intentions helps ensure distributions are made consistently and responsibly. Periodic review remains important to adjust the plan if circumstances change or additional funds become available.
When a reliable network of family caregivers is available and willing to manage day-to-day needs, a simpler arrangement may be appropriate. Families who maintain clear informal agreements, maintain accessible financial records, and can coordinate support for routine expenses may opt for minimal trust structures. Even in these situations, it is advisable to create written directives that assign decision-making authority, name successor caregivers, and set out funding mechanisms so that transitions over time are smoother and responsibility is not concentrated on a single individual without backup planning.
A comprehensive approach is often necessary when the beneficiary requires extensive medical care, therapies, or assisted living arrangements that exceed what public benefits provide. In those cases, coordinating a Special Needs Trust with retirement plans, life insurance, and other estate planning tools ensures funds are available to meet long-term needs. Comprehensive planning also helps address tax implications, creditor concerns, and the integration of guardianship or conservatorship arrangements. A coordinated plan can reduce gaps in care and provide clear guidance for trustees and caregivers.
When a family intends to fund a Special Needs Trust with substantial assets, inheritances, retirement accounts, or structured settlements, a comprehensive plan becomes essential. This approach addresses sequencing of distributions, tax consequences, and strategies to preserve public benefits while maximizing available resources. It also provides for successor trustees, oversight mechanisms, and contingencies for changes in the beneficiary’s condition. Thoughtful drafting can prevent unintended benefit loss and ensure that funds are spent in ways that most directly support the beneficiary’s well-being and independence.
A comprehensive strategy brings clarity to how funds will be used, who will manage them, and how the trust will interact with public benefits and other estate documents. It reduces the risk of administrative errors that could jeopardize eligibility and ensures that distributions support the beneficiary’s evolving needs. Coordinated plans include contingencies for caregiver succession and specify mechanisms for accountability and oversight, which is especially important when assets are significant or when multiple family members are involved in decision-making.
By integrating a Special Needs Trust with instruments like revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, and beneficiary designations, families can create a streamlined roadmap for both immediate care and long-term asset management. This integration helps avoid conflicts between documents, simplifies trustee duties, and preserves more of the estate for the beneficiary’s direct benefit. Having a long-term view also facilitates responsible investment and spending policies that protect both benefits and the beneficiary’s quality of life.
A primary advantage of a comprehensive Special Needs Trust plan is the preservation of eligibility for needs-based programs like Medi-Cal and Supplemental Security Income, while still providing discretionary funds for extras that enhance daily life. Proper drafting and trustee guidance ensure distributions are handled in a way that supplements rather than replaces public assistance. This protection allows families to provide for therapies, equipment, education, travel, and social activities that improve well-being without putting essential benefits at risk.
Comprehensive plans address the selection and training of trustees, the naming of successor fiduciaries, and the documentation needed to ensure continuity of care. This planning reduces the likelihood of probate delays or disputes when responsibilities transfer. Including detailed instructions, a letter of intent, and clear reporting requirements supports trustees in making informed distributions while maintaining records for beneficiaries and oversight. Continuity planning is especially valuable when the family anticipates changes in caregiving capacity or when the beneficiary will require long-term, coordinated support.
Keeping thorough records of all trust transactions helps trustees preserve benefit eligibility and provides transparency for families. Save receipts, maintain a ledger of distributions, and document the reasons for each disbursement. Regularly updating trust accounting and preparing annual summaries can prevent misunderstandings and make it easier to respond to inquiries from benefit agencies. Good records also assist successor trustees in understanding past decisions, ensuring consistent administration and helping to protect the beneficiary’s long-term interests in the event of audits or reviews by public agencies.
A letter of intent complements the legal trust document by explaining the beneficiary’s daily routines, medical history, preferences, and long-term goals in plain language for caregivers and trustees. Including contact information, providers, medication lists, and educational or vocational aspirations helps trustees make informed discretionary decisions. A well-crafted letter provides context for distribution decisions that may otherwise seem arbitrary and ensures the beneficiary’s personal wishes are considered alongside formal legal directives.
Families often decide to create a Special Needs Trust to protect benefit eligibility, designate a trusted fiduciary to manage funds, and ensure that the beneficiary receives supplemental care throughout life. The trust offers flexibility in how funds are used while reducing the risk that an inheritance or settlement will eliminate access to Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income. Additionally, a trust can spare the family from court-supervised guardianship for financial matters and provide a clear structure for allocating resources to services that improve the beneficiary’s quality of life.
Other compelling reasons include planning for caregiver transitions, controlling the timing and manner of distributions, and avoiding disputes among family members. A well-drafted trust specifies successor trustees and offers guidelines for distributions during times of crisis or change. Families may also use trusts to fund housing arrangements, transportation, specialized therapies, or educational programs tailored to the beneficiary’s needs. Thoughtful planning provides peace of mind that the individual will have ongoing support and that resources are directed in ways that reflect family values and priorities.
Circumstances prompting trust creation include receiving an inheritance, obtaining a settlement from an accident or lawsuit, anticipating significant retirement benefits, or recognizing a long-term need for funds beyond what public programs provide. Families also use trusts when planning for aging parents who wish to leave assets for a child with disabilities, or when guardianship and long-term care arrangements need clarity. Each situation should be evaluated for how trust funding and distribution rules will interact with benefit eligibility and family priorities.
A sudden inheritance or other windfall can unintentionally disqualify a beneficiary from important public benefits if funds are held directly by the individual. Placing such assets into an appropriately structured Special Needs Trust helps ensure those funds can be used for supplemental needs while preserving access to Medi-Cal and SSI. The trust should be carefully drafted to reflect whether state payback will apply and to define permissible uses so trustees have clear guidance on managing funds for the beneficiary’s ongoing care and quality of life.
Settlement proceeds from personal injury claims often require careful handling to avoid disrupting benefits. Funding a Special Needs Trust with settlement funds allows the beneficiary to receive compensation for harm or care needs without losing access to public programs. When settlements are significant, the trust must include appropriate payback and reporting provisions, and financial planning should address tax implications and long-term investment strategies. Coordinating legal, medical, and financial considerations helps ensure the settlement enhances the beneficiary’s future support.
As caregivers age, families frequently create Special Needs Trusts to plan for continuity of care and management of assets. Naming successor trustees, providing clear instructions about the beneficiary’s needs, and arranging funding mechanisms helps reduce uncertainty when primary caregivers are no longer available. Trusts also allow for professional administration if family members prefer to transfer fiduciary duties. Advance planning protects the beneficiary from abrupt changes and ensures long-term arrangements are in place for medical, housing, and daily living needs.
Families in Corning and throughout Tehama County can obtain guidance on creating and funding Special Needs Trusts that align with California rules and public benefit programs. Initial consultations provide an opportunity to review current benefits, identify likely funding sources, and discuss trustee selection and distribution policies. Whether you are just beginning to plan or need to adapt an existing arrangement, professional assistance can help ensure documents are drafted and coordinated properly. Clear planning helps families maintain stability for a loved one with disabilities and prepares trustees to manage responsibilities effectively.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists families across California with estate planning matters including Special Needs Trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We prioritize careful drafting and communication so that trust documents reflect the family’s intentions and work smoothly with benefit rules. Our approach emphasizes practical solutions, clear instructions for trustees, and ongoing availability to answer questions about administration or necessary modifications that may arise over time.
When creating a Special Needs Trust, we walk through funding options such as retirement plan designations, life insurance, and direct gifts, and explain how each choice affects eligibility and long-term sustainability. We also advise on payback provisions, trustee selection, and coordination with other estate planning instruments such as revocable living trusts and pour-over wills. The goal is to reduce uncertainty and ensure the plan provides meaningful support while preserving access to public benefits.
Clients receive practical documentation and clear instructions tailored to their circumstances, including letters of intent and guidance for successor trustees. We assist with filing or administrative steps needed when trusts are funded and provide recommendations for trustee recordkeeping and reporting. This collaborative process helps families feel prepared for transitions and confident that the trust will support the beneficiary’s needs over time.
Our process begins with a detailed intake to understand the beneficiary’s needs, current benefits, family goals, and available assets. We review existing documents, identify funding strategies, and recommend the most suitable trust structure. Drafting follows with careful attention to distribution language, trustee powers, and payback clauses when needed. After execution, we guide funding steps, coordinate beneficiary designations, and provide resources for trustee recordkeeping. Periodic reviews ensure the plan remains aligned with changes in law, benefits, and family circumstances.
The initial assessment gathers information about the beneficiary’s medical needs, current public benefits, family resources, and long-term goals. We discuss potential funding sources, the pros and cons of different trust types, and the roles family members or fiduciaries will play. Identifying priorities early allows us to draft a plan that addresses immediate concerns and anticipates future changes. This first phase establishes the foundation for a trust that meets the beneficiary’s needs and aligns with the family’s wishes.
Gathering documentation such as benefit award letters, medical records, financial statements, and any settlement paperwork is essential to determine how a trust will affect eligibility and to identify appropriate funding sources. Reviewing Medi-Cal, SSI, and other benefits helps tailor trust provisions so distributions are supplemental. This stage also includes conversations about desired quality-of-life supports and potential trustees. Comprehensive information allows for precise drafting and reduces the risk of mistakes that could lead to benefit loss.
Based on the information gathered, we recommend a trust type and outline a drafting plan that addresses payback issues, trustee powers, allowable distributions, and successor arrangements. The drafting plan includes provisions for funding, reporting requirements, and coordination with other estate documents. We discuss alternatives like pooled trusts when appropriate and explain practical steps for implementation. Clear instructions at this stage streamline later steps and provide families with confidence in how the trust will operate.
During drafting, we prepare trust documents with precise language to ensure compatibility with California law and public benefit rules. The execution phase includes signing formal documents, obtaining notarization, and creating supporting paperwork such as letters of intent. We also prepare related documents like powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and pour-over wills when necessary to complete the estate plan. Proper execution and recordkeeping help prevent future disputes and ensure trustees have clear instructions to follow.
Trust provisions are tailored to the beneficiary’s unique needs, specifying permissible uses of funds, how distributions are made, and trustee authority to manage investments and contracts. Clear standards for discretionary distributions help trustees make appropriate decisions while protecting eligibility for benefits. We also include backup measures such as instructions for hiring professional assistance if family trustees are unable to serve, and guidance for resolving disputes among interested parties to preserve the beneficiary’s support system.
After documents are signed and notarized, we assemble a trust binder and provide trustees with a checklist for initial steps, required notices, and recordkeeping templates. Establishing accounts, updating beneficiary designations, and transferring assets into the trust are coordinated to ensure funding proceeds smoothly. We also provide trustees with guidance on preparing regular accounting summaries and maintaining receipts to support distributions and preserve benefit eligibility, making administration more straightforward for current and successor fiduciaries.
Proper funding is critical for the trust to function as intended. This step includes naming the trust as beneficiary where appropriate, retitling assets, and documenting transfers. Once funded, the trustee administers distributions consistent with the plan, maintains records, and monitors benefit interactions. Periodic reviews are recommended to address changes in benefits, laws, or family circumstances. Ongoing oversight and timely adjustments help ensure the trust continues to meet the beneficiary’s needs throughout their lifetime.
Funding a Special Needs Trust may involve updating beneficiary designations, retitling bank and investment accounts, and arranging life insurance or retirement assets to provide ongoing support. Each funding method has distinct tax and benefits implications, so careful coordination is essential. We assist families with the administrative steps and provide instructions for trustees on maintaining documentation of transfers. Timely and accurate funding ensures that trust assets are properly protected and available to meet the beneficiary’s supplemental needs.
After the trust is funded, trustees should adopt a regular schedule for reviewing distributions, investments, and the beneficiary’s changing needs. Periodic reviews also account for legislative or regulatory changes that affect benefits. Updating documents and adjusting distribution policies when circumstances change helps preserve the trust’s effectiveness. We remain available to assist with modifications, trustee transitions, and guidance on maintaining eligibility for Medi-Cal and other programs, helping ensure long-term stability for the beneficiary.
A Special Needs Trust is a legal arrangement designed to hold assets for the benefit of an individual with disabilities while preserving eligibility for needs-based public benefits. The trust directs a trustee to make supplemental distributions for things not covered by government programs, such as therapies, educational expenses, or recreational activities. Establishing a trust helps families ensure that funds are used to enhance the beneficiary’s quality of life without replacing essential public assistance. Deciding to create a trust often follows an event like an inheritance, settlement, or the need to plan for future care. The choice of trust type depends on funding sources and whether state reimbursement will be required. A careful assessment of benefits, funding options, and family goals informs the trust structure and the drafting of distribution standards and successor trustee provisions.
Special Needs Trusts are designed so that trust distributions are considered supplemental and do not count as income for Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income when drafted and administered properly. The trustee must make payments in ways that do not convert trust funds into direct income or resources that the beneficiary must use to meet basic needs covered by benefits. Clear drafting and proper administration are essential to avoid unintended consequences. Coordination with benefit programs requires recordkeeping and sometimes advance notice of distributions. Different trust types have different reporting requirements and potential payback obligations. Regular reviews and prudent management help ensure continued eligibility while supporting the beneficiary with additional resources.
A first-party Special Needs Trust is funded with the beneficiary’s own assets, such as an inheritance, settlement, or savings, and typically includes a required repayment clause to reimburse the state for benefits provided after the beneficiary’s death. This structure allows the beneficiary to receive supplemental support during their lifetime while complying with payback rules. Pooled trusts administered by nonprofit organizations are sometimes used as a first-party option when individualized trustees are not desired. A third-party Special Needs Trust is created and funded by someone other than the beneficiary, typically a parent or other family member. Because funds in a third-party trust are not the beneficiary’s own resources, these trusts generally avoid state payback requirements and offer greater flexibility for leaving assets to other heirs after the beneficiary’s death. Choosing between trust types depends on funding sources and family objectives.
Naming a trusted family member as trustee can provide personal knowledge of the beneficiary’s preferences and daily needs, and can be appropriate when family members are reliable and organized. Family trustees should be comfortable with recordkeeping, understanding benefit interactions, and making discretionary decisions in the beneficiary’s best interest. Training, clear instructions, and access to professional guidance can support family trustees in this role. Some families prefer professional trustees for objectivity, continuity, and familiarity with administrative requirements. Professional or nonprofit trustees can offer consistent administration and may reduce conflict among heirs. Families often adopt a hybrid solution by naming a family member as primary trustee and a professional entity as successor or co-trustee to balance personal knowledge and administrative stability.
Payback or reimbursement provisions require the trustee to repay the state for certain public benefits provided to the beneficiary once the beneficiary dies. These provisions are common in first-party trusts and must be drafted to meet federal and state legal requirements. The trustee is responsible for calculating eligible reimbursement amounts and coordinating with state agencies to satisfy claims as required by law. Third-party trusts typically avoid payback provisions because funds are not the beneficiary’s own assets. When payback applies, careful drafting and accurate recordkeeping help trustees fulfill post-death obligations while preserving any remaining assets for residual beneficiaries as allowed. Legal guidance ensures compliance and helps minimize administrative complications.
Special Needs Trusts can be funded from a range of sources including life insurance proceeds, retirement account distributions, direct gifts, inheritances, personal injury settlements, and settlement awards. Each funding source has different tax and benefits implications, so careful planning is necessary. For example, retirement plan designations may trigger tax considerations, while life insurance proceeds can be structured to provide long-term funding without immediate income consequences. Coordinating beneficiary designations and account retitling is a practical step to ensure funds pass to the trust as intended. Families should review their overall estate plan to confirm that funding mechanisms align with trust goals and to avoid unintended direct transfers to the beneficiary that could jeopardize benefit eligibility.
A letter of intent is not a legally binding document, but it is a valuable complement to a Special Needs Trust because it conveys the beneficiary’s personal history, routines, medical needs, preferences, and long-term goals. This narrative provides trustees and caregivers with practical guidance for making discretionary decisions that align with the beneficiary’s established patterns and wishes. Including details about daily routines, providers, educational plans, and social preferences enhances the trustee’s ability to make informed choices. Preparing a thorough letter of intent also eases transitions between caregivers by documenting contact information, recommended vendors, and known triggers or soothing strategies. Although informal, the letter serves as a living document that families can update as needs change and helps bridge the gap between legal instructions and daily care choices.
Periodic review of a Special Needs Trust is important to account for changes in the beneficiary’s health, available public benefits, family circumstances, and changes in law or regulations. Annual reviews or reviews at key life events help ensure distribution standards and trustee instructions remain appropriate. Updating related documents such as powers of attorney, health care directives, and beneficiary designations should be part of routine maintenance to avoid conflicts or unintended outcomes. Significant events that may prompt an earlier review include changes in caregiver availability, receipt of a large inheritance or settlement, changes in benefits eligibility, or legislative reforms that affect public programs. Regular reviews keep the plan current and effective for the beneficiary’s ongoing needs.
What happens to trust funds when a beneficiary dies depends on the trust’s terms and whether the trust is a first-party or third-party arrangement. Third-party trust documents commonly designate contingent beneficiaries or heirs to receive remaining funds after any required obligations are met. First-party trusts often include payback provisions requiring reimbursement of certain public benefits before any remaining funds can be distributed to residual beneficiaries. Clear instructions in the trust document about disposition of remaining assets, payback obligations, and notification procedures help trustees complete administration efficiently. Proper drafting anticipates these outcomes and provides direction to reduce delays and potential disputes among family members.
To begin creating a Special Needs Trust in Corning, start by gathering information about the beneficiary’s current benefits, medical needs, financial assets, and any anticipated settlements or inheritances. Contact a qualified estate planning attorney to discuss available trust options, including whether a first-party, third-party, or pooled trust best fits your circumstances. An initial consultation will identify funding strategies, trustee options, and necessary supporting documents. After deciding on the trust type, the attorney will draft the trust, coordinate execution, and help with funding steps such as updating beneficiary designations and retitling accounts. You will receive guidance on trustee responsibilities, recordkeeping, and periodic reviews to keep the trust aligned with the beneficiary’s evolving needs.
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