Special Needs Trust

Special needs trusts are helpful legal tools that allow parents and grandparents to leave behind assets to loved ones with special needs without damaging the beneficiary’s ability to receive SSI and Medicaid benefits. Our New York estate planning attorneys know that in the past the best strategy for these families was often to disinherit relatives with disabilities. Otherwise, assets might be given to the individual which would disqualify them from receive certain federal benefits. Of course this seems a perverse effect and unfair effect for those with disabilities. The special needs trust fixes that. The trust is a device that allows a resident with special needs to receive an inheritance and keep their benefits, all without the state actually receiving less than it likely would otherwise. The trust funds can be used to pay for a wide range of services for the individual like clothing, education, entertainment, household goods, and similar costs. Families have much to gain from taking advantage of this tool.

An article this weekend from Lake County News explored these trusts, distinguishing between the various types of special needs trusts. For example, testamentary trusts and stand-alone special needs trusts are compared. Testamentary trusts are those which are established at the death of the benefactor. Conversely, stand-alone trusts are created while the one passing on the assets is still alive.

One key difference between these trusts is that the stand-alone special needs trust can receive assets from different individuals. Some families may have a few parties that want to help provide for their loved one with special needs. The stand-alone trust, because it is not tied to any single parties’ will or trust, allows for these multiple benefactors. In addition, accessing the funds in the trust can be somewhat easier in a stand-alone special needs trust. That is because the funds are made available to the beneficiary in the stand-alone trust instantly upon the death of the benefactor. Conversely, in a testamentary trust, the assets must first need to be transferred into the trust following the benefactor’s passing.

A New York special needs trust is usually the premier method for local residents to provide a disabled child with financial assistance without disqualifying them from receiving government benefits like SSI and Medicaid. Our New York estate planning lawyers know that providing adequate resources for children with special needs is particularly important today because of the increasing life expectancy of disabled youth. The resources needed by these individuals are often substantial, necessitating very careful planning. All families in this situation must ensure that they seek out professional assistance to learn what legal arrangements are best for their unique situation. No two families are identical, and so specialized help is essential.

Failure to seek out experienced legal aid when dealing with these trusts often results in government benefit penalties, negative tax consequences, and damaging family turmoil. Earlier this month Special Needs Answers reported on developments in a complex legal case related to family disagreement over a special needs trust. The case stems from a trust that was set up in 2002 for an 18 year old high school student who suffered severe brain damage after suffering a heart attack. A lawsuit was filed and settled on his behalf against school officials who failed to take action which would have limited the brain damage. The settlement funds were placed in a special needs trust.

The young man died five years later without a will. Per the rules of intestate succession in the state, the trust funds–valued at $8 million at the time of the young man’s death–were supposed to be split between his parents. The child had been estranged from his father for most of his life, but the victim’s mother did not discuss her specific family situation when the trust was created. In order to avoid having her ex-husband share in the fund assets, the mother had a disclaimer drafted and convinced her ex-husband to sign it by claiming it was a document related to burial. The former spouse initiated a legal challenge when he eventually learned that he had signed away his share of $8 million. The ensuing legal battle lasted several years. It was only this year that a local court ruled that the mother acted wrongly in trying to deceive her ex-husband into signing the disclaimer. The estranged father will be allowed to collect half of the funds left in the trust.

Articles Posted in Special Needs Trust

Special Needs Trusts for New York Families

Family Disagreement Over Special Needs Trust Leads to Court Battle