Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid Planning, and Protecting Assets Last Minute

A direct inheritance can create major problems for someone receiving asset based government benefits, but the right trust language can help protect those benefits and preserve family assets.In this episode of The Legal Exchange, Todd Lutsky and Susan Powers discuss an Alaska trust dispute involving capacity, undue influence, and a child being removed from a revocable trust. They also explain the difference between third party and self settled special needs trusts, why a direct inheritance can jeopardize SSI benefits, and how proper planning can help families provide for a special needs beneficiary. Plus, Todd answers listener questions about paying for at home care, wrapping up an irrevocable trust after death, and using pooled trusts as a last minute Medicaid planning tool.