The special needs trust SSI problem starts with one hard number: $2,000. For an individual receiving Supplemental...
Trusts and Asset Management Resources
Special Needs Trust Violations: Rules, Penalties, and Corrective Steps for Trustees
Special needs trust violations can start with a seemingly harmless purchase: a trustee pays the beneficiary’s rent,...
Self-Settled Special Needs Trust: Benefits, Challenges, and Setup Guide
Introduction Receiving a settlement, inheritance, or large financial payment should feel like a victory. But for...
Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Rules: What You Must Know Before Setup
Introduction When a person with disabilities receives money—especially from a legal settlement—it can create an...
Qualified Settlement Fund Tax Treatment: IRS Rules, Tax Liability, and Compliance Guide
Introduction Qualified settlement fund tax treatment can make or break the financial outcome of a settlement. Qualified settlement fund tax treatment affects the fund itself, the defendant or insurer that contributes money, the claimants who receive distributions, and the plaintiff attorneys who may receive contingency fees. That is why QSFs are...
Special Needs Trust SSI: Eligibility, Assets, and Trust Rules
The special needs trust SSI problem starts with one hard number: $2,000. For an individual receiving Supplemental Security Income, countable resources generally cannot exceed $2,000, which means a settlement, inheritance, or gift can create a benefits crisis almost overnight. That result can feel devastating. A settlement or inheritance should...
Special Needs Trust Violations: Rules, Penalties, and Corrective Steps for Trustees
Special needs trust violations can start with a seemingly harmless purchase: a trustee pays the beneficiary’s rent, hands over cash for a bill, or forgets to keep receipts, and the beneficiary’s SSI or Medicaid eligibility is affected before the family understands why. Special needs trust violations are especially frustrating because they often...
Self-Settled Special Needs Trust: Benefits, Challenges, and Setup Guide
Introduction Receiving a settlement, inheritance, or large financial payment should feel like a victory. But for individuals with disabilities who rely on government benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), receiving money directly can create a serious problem. These programs have strict financial limits. In many cases,...
Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Rules: What You Must Know Before Setup
Introduction When a person with disabilities receives money—especially from a legal settlement—it can create an unexpected problem. Many government benefits, including Medicaid, have strict asset limits. Even a relatively modest settlement can suddenly push someone over those limits and cause them to lose essential healthcare coverage. That’s...
[Complete Roadmap] Special Needs Trust Planning and Asset Protection Strategy
Introduction Receiving money through a legal settlement, inheritance, or family support can feel like a lifeline. But for individuals with disabilities who rely on benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), receiving assets directly can create a serious problem. These programs have strict asset limits. In many cases, owning...
[Full Breakdown] Third-Party Special Needs Trust: Cost, Requirements, and Mistakes
Introduction If someone you love has a disability, you’ve probably asked yourself a difficult question: How do I leave them money… without accidentally taking away their government benefits? This is where a third-party special needs trust becomes incredibly powerful. Done correctly, it protects eligibility for Medicaid and SSI while giving your...
How Can Attorneys Protect Clients with Annuities from Factoring Companies?
Introduction Past settlement recipients who elected to receive all or a portion of their settlement funds via a structured settlement annuity might be tempted to sell their annuity payments to factoring companies (more commonly known as “cash now” companies). These companies often purchase annuity payments for pennies on the dollar, leaving your...
What Happens When a Special Needs Trust Beneficiary Passes Away?
A common question from attorneys regarding special needs trusts is: "What happens when the beneficiary of the special needs trust passes away? What happens to the funds in the trust?" It’s an important question that needs to be explained to the client before setting up a special needs trust. One of the reasons why the government allows...
The Mechanics of Setting Up a Settlement Trust
Introduction Here at Amicus Settlement Planners, settlement trust is a topic that we often get asked about. People usually want to know: "What are the mechanics of setting up a settlement trust, and how do we actually go about doing it? Does the defendant have to pay directly to the trust, or can it come through our IOLTA account?” This article...
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