Top Ten Tips Every Estate Planner Needs to Know About Special Needs Trusts

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Format: Teleconference and Live Audio Webcast
Duration: 90 minutes

Sponsor: The American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Trust & Estate Law

Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) are an important planning tool for families that wish to secure the future of persons challenged by disabling conditions. If SNTs for such persons are not drafted and administered carefully, clients may not achieve the desired result of maintaining the crucial means-tested government benefits upon which they rely.

This session will explain the important differences between first-party and third-party SNTs so that the estate planner will know when each type should be used.

The presenters will also cover the most critical considerations in preparing and administering estate plans that benefit persons confronted with disabling conditions, including:

• The types of available distribution standards for SNTs
• Considerations in selecting an appropriate Trustee for an SNT
• How to prevent an SNT from disqualifying the beneficiary from eligibility for means-tested public benefits
• Practical comprehensive tips to implement an estate plan that includes an SNT, including coordination of beneficiary designations for non-probate assets
• Whether to use an inter vivos SNT or a testamentary SNT (or both)
• How to use an SNT for a spouse with a disability
• Drafting Powers of Attorney and Living Trusts to allow distributions for family members with a disability
• Advising a family on how to prepare a letter of intent for the Trustee of an SNT
• Coordinating sources of funding for an SNT
• Helping a parent with a disability establish a "sole benefit" trust for his or her child with special needs

Advising families on how to divide assets among "typical" children and those with special needs.

Our Experts:

• Katherine N. Barr, Sirote & Permutt PC, Birmingham, AL
• Richard E. Davis, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., LPA, Canton, OH
• Kristen M. Lewis, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Atlanta, GA

1.5 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states/1.8 hours of CLE credit in 50-minute states have been requested in states accrediting ABA teleconferences and live audio webcasts.*

NY-licensed attorneys: This non-transitional CLE program has been approved for experienced NY-licensed attorneys in accordance with the requirements of the New York State CLE Board for 1.5 total NY CLE credits.

The following states accept ABA teleconferences for CLE credit: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KY, LA, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VI, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

*States currently not accrediting ABA teleconferences: DE, IN, PA, KS, OH.

Registration by FAX or Online Only

Individual Online Registration

Group Online Registration

Registration by Fax
For Customer Service
312-988-5683
Event Code: RP9TSN

$85.00 Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Members
$150.00 ABA Members
$150.00 Synergy Summit Members
$175.00 General Public
$60.00 Additional Registrants Who Use The Same Phone Line
Free Registration For Law Students

Group Rates Available

Pre-order the Audio CD or MP3. You can now pre-order through the ABA Web Store or call 800-282-2221. Refer to product code 5430504CD for the CD format.

The Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section produces two live CLE Conferences and numerous eCLE Teleconferences/Webcasts each year. Register for a CLE program today! All links to the programs will be ready for registration at least one week prior to the event.