If you are in the settlement phase of a case and your client is receiving needs-based government benefits like Medicaid, SSI, or some combination of those, a special needs trust can be used to protect those benefits. This article gives you a quick overview of how to set up a special needs trust for a client.
How to Set Up a Special Needs Trust
When a legal settlement is obtained, the funds can come into your Interest on Lawyer Trust Account (IOLTA). From there, a special needs trust can be established. It's best to call in a settlement planner before closing a settlement case when setting up a special needs trust.
If it is determined that a client needs a special needs trust, we will send you an intake form where we gather basic information about the client and his or her benefits. Then we contact the client either via phone or in-person and discuss several matters:
- Review their benefits
- Explain how the settlement is going to impact those benefits
- Discuss how a special needs trust works and how it can protect those benefits
We’ve previously published guides addressing common client questions, such as "Will a settlement affect my food stamps?" and "Do you lose Medicaid if you get a settlement?" We encourage you to explore these resources for additional insights.
A special needs trust is not like a bank account that can be accessed by the client anytime. There are certain restrictions on the trust that they need to understand. One example is that they have to go through a trustee to access the funds in the trust for goods and services. Another important requirement the client needs to understand is the Medicaid Payback Provision.
Clients need to be educated on these matters for them to be comfortable with and understand how a special needs trust works. We will help you and the client choose which trustee makes the most sense. Is there a family member that could do it, or is a professional corporate fiduciary better for their situation?
In addition, if we can identify the correct trustee for the trust, we can walk the client through budgetary concerns. We can create a sample budget so that they have a plan as to what the trust is going to pay for, what it cannot pay for, and how it will benefit them.
When a case is close to a settlement, give us a call. We can meet with your client, line them up with the correct trustee, and build a settlement plan. In the meantime, you can settle the case for cash and get it into your trust account. We can be drafting the trust, so we're not slowing you down, and then we take care of establishing and funding the special needs trust using the funds in your trust account.
Book a 15-minute call to explore how our trusts and asset management process can support your or your clients' needs.
