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Answer Bar: Considering a Special Needs Trust

Contains material from Mar 2022 to Mar 2025
Answer Bar: Considering a Special Needs Trust
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Session 01: Public Benefits Overview and Key Concepts - Hear an overview of the different public benefits programs that may impact a special needs client, and explore Texas-specific waivers as well as federal and state regulations.

Session 02: Special Needs Trusts 101: The Basics - An overview of the basics of special needs trusts and public benefits including selection of appropriate trust option, pitfalls to avoid and case examples.

Session 03: The Ethics of SNT Administration - In this session, the presenters review the decisions a trustee makes in administering a trust, the standards a trustee should use in making decisions, and a framework to make sure the trustee’s decisions and actions are ethical.

Session 04: Redlining the Basics with 1st Party SNT - Dissect a basic first-party SNT to highlight best practices with various key provisions, a walk-through relevant POMS provisions, and other practical tips in evaluating the use(s) of a first-party SNT.

Session 05: Maximizing Public Benefits - Discuss how to identify what benefits your client has; what additional benefits they may be eligible for; what distributions by a trustee (or anyone) will make them ineligible; and what distributions will keep them eligible for those benefits.

Session 06: Working Together: Texas ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts - Learn about the tax-advantaged Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience Program (Texas ABLE®), a disability savings program created specifically for Texans with qualifying disabilities. This session covers specifics about Texas ABLE and how it can be used in conjunction with Special Needs Trusts, while helping to preserve state and federal means-tested benefits, including SSI and Medicaid. Learn how recent regulatory and legislative developments have continued to expand the flexibility and impact of ABLE accounts.

Session 07: Initial Client Meeting Guidance and Resources - Exploring the art of focusing client appointments and staying on track.

Session 08: Sole Benefit Trusts: What, When, and Why - Focus on the uses of Sole Benefit Trusts, including distinguishing them from other types of special needs trusts. It will include practical application, hypothetical situations, and sample language.

Session 09: A Quick Trust Tax Tutorial - You don’t need to be a tax lawyer, but every special-needs planner should know at least the basics of trust income tax. Explore key rules in an accessible way for non-tax practitioners.

Session 09: SSA Regional Trust Leads Presentation Regarding SSI Trusts - The centralization of SSI trust reviews business process celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2024. This session provides a look back, including improved quality, accurate and consistent trust determinations, and technical proficiency of employees. In addition, hear the latest regarding the legal opinion process, early termination, 90-day amendment period, and updates to the trust POMS.

Session 11: Special Needs Trusts Ethics Jeopardy - Attorneys and trustees need to clearly understand their ethical obligations. Using the Jeopardy game show format, in this interactive session, the presenters cover various ethical issues encountered in a special needs practice, providing the answers while the audience provides the questions.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 9.25 | 2.25 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • TX, CA, PA
  • TX MCLE credit expires: 3/31/2026

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1. Public Benefits Overview and Key Concepts (Mar 2022)

Stephen W. Dale, Haley D. Greer

1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00
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(mp4)
58 mins
(mp3)
58 mins
(pdf)
9 pgs
(pdf)
17 pgs
Session 1 —58 mins 1.00
Public Benefits Overview and Key Concepts (Mar 2022)

Hear an overview of the different public benefits programs that may impact a special needs client, and explore Texas-specific waivers as well as federal and state regulations.

Originally presented: Feb 2022 Essentials for Special Needs Planning

Stephen W. Dale, The Dale Law Firm, PC - Pacheco, CA
Haley D. Greer, The ARC Of Texas - Austin, TX

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2. Special Needs Trusts 101: The Basics (Mar 2025)

Molly Dear Abshire

1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00
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(mp4)
61 mins
(mp3)
60 mins
Paper
(pdf)
52 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
26 pgs
Session 2 —61 mins 1.00
Special Needs Trusts 101: The Basics (Mar 2025)

An overview of the basics of special needs trusts and public benefits including selection of appropriate trust option, pitfalls to avoid and case examples.

Originally presented: Feb 2025 Special Needs Trusts

Molly Dear Abshire, Wright Abshire Attorneys, P.C. - Bellaire, TX

Show session details

3. The Ethics of SNT Administration (Apr 2024)

Mary Alice Jackson, Rebecca C. Morgan, Bryn A. Poland

1.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 | 1.00 ethics
Preview Materials

Download session materials for offline use

(mp4)
58 mins
(mp3)
58 mins
(pdf)
23 pgs
Paper
(pdf)
1 pgs
(pdf)
11 pgs
Session 3 —58 mins 1.00 | 1.00 ethics
The Ethics of SNT Administration (Apr 2024)

In this session, the presenters review the decisions a trustee makes in administering a trust, the standards a trustee should use in making decisions, and a framework to make sure the trustee’s decisions and actions are ethical.

Originally presented: Feb 2024 Special Needs Trusts

Mary Alice Jackson, Boyer & Boyer P.A. - Sarasota, FL
Rebecca C. Morgan, Stetson University College of Law - Gulfport, FL
Bryn A. Poland, Mayo & Poland PLLC - Baytown, TX

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4. Redlining the Basics with 1st Party SNT (Apr 2024)

John B. Henry III

0.75 0.25 0.00 0.75 | 0.25 ethics
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(mp4)
43 mins
(mp3)
43 mins
(pdf)
66 pgs
(pdf)
26 pgs
Session 4 —43 mins 0.75 | 0.25 ethics
Redlining the Basics with 1st Party SNT (Apr 2024)

Dissect a basic first-party SNT to highlight best practices with various key provisions, a walk-through relevant POMS provisions, and other practical tips in evaluating the use(s) of a first-party SNT.

Originally presented: Feb 2024 Special Needs Trusts

John B. Henry III, Law Office of John B. Henry, III, PLLC - Bellaire, TX

Show session details

5. Maximizing Public Benefits (Mar 2025)

H. Clyde Farrell, Christina Lesher

1.00 0.25 0.00 1.00 | 0.25 ethics
Preview Materials

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(mp4)
59 mins
(mp3)
59 mins
Paper
(pdf)
309 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
10 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
15 pgs
Session 5 —59 mins 1.00 | 0.25 ethics
Maximizing Public Benefits (Mar 2025)

Discuss how to identify what benefits your client has; what additional benefits they may be eligible for; what distributions by a trustee (or anyone) will make them ineligible; and what distributions will keep them eligible for those benefits.

Originally presented: Feb 2025 Special Needs Trusts

H. Clyde Farrell, Farrell & Johnson PLLC - Austin, TX
Christina Lesher, The Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC - Houston, TX

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6. Working Together: Texas ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts (Mar 2023)

Linda Fernandez, Anna Mallett, Rob Percival

1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00
Preview Materials

Download session materials for offline use

(mp4)
61 mins
(pdf)
28 pgs
Session 6 —61 mins 1.00
Working Together: Texas ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts (Mar 2023)

Learn about the tax-advantaged Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience Program (Texas ABLE®), a disability savings program created specifically for Texans with qualifying disabilities. This session covers specifics about Texas ABLE and how it can be used in conjunction with Special Needs Trusts, while helping to preserve state and federal means-tested benefits, including SSI and Medicaid. Learn how recent regulatory and legislative developments have continued to expand the flexibility and impact of ABLE accounts.

Originally presented: Feb 2023 Working Together: Texas ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts

Linda Fernandez, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Austin, TX
Anna Mallett, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - Austin
Rob Percival, Orion Advisor Solutions - Omaha, NE

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7. Initial Client Meeting Guidance and Resources (Apr 2022)

Benecia Flores

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Preview Materials

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(mp4)
29 mins
(mp3)
29 mins
(pdf)
19 pgs
Slides
(pdf)
5 pgs
Session 7 —29 mins 0.50
Initial Client Meeting Guidance and Resources (Apr 2022)

Exploring the art of focusing client appointments and staying on track.

Originally presented: Feb 2022 Special Needs Trusts

Benecia Flores, Petrosewicz Law Firm, P.C. - Richmond, TX

Show session details

8. Sole Benefit Trusts: What, When, and Why (Mar 2025)

Jennifer L. Coulter

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Preview Materials

Download session materials for offline use

(mp4)
30 mins
(mp3)
30 mins
Paper
(pdf)
21 pgs
Session 8 —30 mins 0.50
Sole Benefit Trusts: What, When, and Why (Mar 2025)

Focus on the uses of Sole Benefit Trusts, including distinguishing them from other types of special needs trusts. It will include practical application, hypothetical situations, and sample language.

Originally presented: Feb 2025 Special Needs Trusts

Jennifer L. Coulter, Townsend Allala, Coulter & Kludt, PLLC - El Paso, TX

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9. A Quick Trust Tax Tutorial (Apr 2024)

Eric Reis

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
Preview Materials

Download session materials for offline use

(mp4)
45 mins
(mp3)
44 mins
(pdf)
13 pgs
(pdf)
14 pgs
Session 9 —45 mins 0.75
A Quick Trust Tax Tutorial (Apr 2024)

You don’t need to be a tax lawyer, but every special-needs planner should know at least the basics of trust income tax. Explore key rules in an accessible way for non-tax practitioners.

Originally presented: Feb 2024 Special Needs Trusts

Eric Reis, UNT Dallas College of Law - Dallas, TX

Show session details

10. SSA Regional Trust Leads Presentation Regarding SSI Trusts (Mar 2025)

Amanda Flood, Dana Marquez

1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00
Preview Materials

Download session materials for offline use

(mp4)
63 mins
(mp3)
63 mins
Slides
(pdf)
28 pgs
Session 10 —63 mins 1.00
SSA Regional Trust Leads Presentation Regarding SSI Trusts (Mar 2025)

The centralization of SSI trust reviews business process celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2024. This session provides a look back, including improved quality, accurate and consistent trust determinations, and technical proficiency of employees. In addition, hear the latest regarding the legal opinion process, early termination, 90-day amendment period, and updates to the trust POMS.

Originally presented: Feb 2025 Special Needs Trusts

Amanda Flood, U.S. Social Security Administration - Dallas, TX
Dana Marquez, U.S. Social Security Administration - Dallas, TX

Show session details

11. Special Needs Trusts Ethics Jeopardy (Mar 2025)

Mary Alice Jackson, Bryn A. Poland

0.75 0.75 0.00 0.75 | 0.75 ethics
Preview Materials

Download session materials for offline use

(mp4)
47 mins
(mp3)
47 mins
Slides
(pdf)
29 pgs
Session 11 —47 mins 0.75 | 0.75 ethics
Special Needs Trusts Ethics Jeopardy (Mar 2025)

Attorneys and trustees need to clearly understand their ethical obligations. Using the Jeopardy game show format, in this interactive session, the presenters cover various ethical issues encountered in a special needs practice, providing the answers while the audience provides the questions.

Originally presented: Feb 2025 Special Needs Trusts

Mary Alice Jackson, Boyer & Boyer P.A. - Sarasota, FL
Bryn A. Poland, Mayo & Poland PLLC - Baytown, TX