Materials

2025 Live Conference coming up Feb 6 in Austin. Info and registration »
2025 Materials expected available 3-5 weeks from conference date.

The 21st Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language, and resources. Join us in-person only in Austin, TX. 

The 20th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language, and resources.

The 19th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language, and resources. This year’s program includes: Thomas Foley, Executive Director of the National Disability Institute, will present Changing Expectations that reviews the cutting-edge programs that have helped people on SSI and SSDI earn more. An overview of special needs trusts essentials, including Special Needs Trusts 101, and Redlining the Basics of a SNT. What Happens When the Public Health Emergency Ends?, explores what to expect when the COVID-19 health emergency ends. Gain insight into resources in the legal, business development and practice management areas that may be helpful for building and growing a special needs planning practice Explore strategies for using a SNT to preserve means tested benefits for a minor child receiving child support. 3.00 hours of ethics credit, including Hazards of the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act – Assessing Beneficiary Capacity to Establish a SNT; Who Pays the Attorney’s Fees in Trust Litigation?. Network with program faculty, colleagues, and exhibitors at the Thursday Evening Reception. Following the conference, attendees will receive supplemental on-demand programming to ensure they are able to satisfy their full 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE requirement.

The 18th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language, and resources. This year’s program includes:   A special luncheon presentation from Thomas Foley, Executive Director of the National Disability Institute. An overview of special needs trusts essentials, including information on SNT basics, updates on maximizing public benefits, and ABLE updates. Explore the art of focusing client appointments and staying on track, with Initial Client Meeting Guidance and Resources. The Case Law Updates provides an analysis of recent Texas and national cases and legislation involving special needs trusts and ancillary issues. Explore how Third-Party SNTs are taxed and how the failure to plan properly can affect the quality of life of the beneficiary. Gain answers and clarity around the confusion and questions surrounding the benefits available to special needs children of retired, wartime veterans. Network with program faculty, colleagues, and exhibitors at the Thursday Evening Reception.

The 17th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts virtually brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language, and resources. This year’s virtual program includes:   An overview of special needs trusts essentials, including information on SNT basics, updates on maximizing public benefits, transfers to pooled trusts, and ABLE updates and basics. SNT Lagniappe – Forms to Support Your SNT Practice. The Masters of SNT—What I Know Now That I Wish I Had Known Back Then. Learn about tax basics of a SNT along with information on planning for the estate tax exemption. Insight on the housing problems and solutions for housing beneficiaries and real estate in trusts. A variety of other SNT topics, including program benefits for family caregivers, guiding family trustees, reporting for trusts, SSI applications process for children and adults, and more. A virtual exhibit hall highlighting the services and products offered by our sponsors and exhibitors. Following the webcast, attendees will receive a free, on-demand eSupplement that will bring their total available hours to 15.00, including 3.00 hours of ethics.

The 16th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language, and resources. This year’s program includes: An overview of special needs trusts essentials, including SNT Basics, Pooled SNTs: Guidelines for Best Practices, Maximizing Public Benefits (Basics), and Emerging Trends in SNTs. Learn about the New POMs Clarification on the Fee Approval Requirements. The SSA’s Regional Trust Leads discuss the regional centralization of the SSI trust review business process, including 2019 POMS updates. Learn tools and specific recommendations of large and small distributions for evaluating requests in part through quality of life considerations. An overview of support issues in divorce cases involving children and spouses with disabilities and the use of SNTs to protect benefits. Interplay of Guardians and Trustees In and Out of Court + Administering SNTs Established in Other States and Other SSA Regions. A variety of other SNT topics, including Protecting and Maximizing Public Benefits (Advanced), Public Benefits for Children, IRA and SNTs, social security fee petitions, and more. Network with program faculty, colleagues, and exhibitors at the Thursday Evening Reception.

The 15th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language, and resources. This year’s program includes: An overview of special needs trusts, including an examination of different types of SNTs—third-party, self-settled, and sole benefit SNTs—and their potential uses and benefits. Case law and legislative updates. A special presentation from the SSA’s Regional Trust Leads with must-have insight on the review process; plus tips on submitting your trust review for approval and avoiding the appeal. Considerations and best practices in working with ABLE programs across the country. Discussion on the increasing importance of preparing Medicaid assessments and appeals, and advice for navigating that process. An examination of trustee obligations and best practices, including an opportunity to ask your questions during an “Ask the Experts” portion of the panel. A variety of other SNT essentials, including trust reformation do’s and don’ts, divorce actions and SNTs, understanding SSI work incentive programs and CLASS, and more. Earn up to 15.00 hours of Texas MCLE credit, with 3.25 hours of ethics. Plus, interact with program faculty, colleagues, and exhibitors at the Thursday Evening Reception.

The 14th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language and resources. This year’s program includes: Special needs trusts basics including current trends and pitfalls with Craig C. Reaves, plus an overview and understanding of available public benefits programs. A special presentation from the Social Security Administration’s Regional Trust Review Team with must-have insight on the review process; plus updates, advice, and practice tips for practitioners from Mary E. O’Byrne and Kenneth Brown. Case law and legislative updates from Mary Alice Jackson. The latest developments in the use of ABLE accounts; plus practical discussion on using (or not using) ABLE with Stephen W. Dale, Haley D. Greer, and Nancy Sosa. Practical applications in the intersection of real estate and special needs trusts. Current issues and trends from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Discussion on a variety of other SNT essentials, including decanting and SNTs, understanding structured settlements, and more. Up to 2.50 hours of ethics, plus opportunities to network with program faculty and attendees at the Thursday Evening Reception. If you work with special needs trusts—or want to learn how to use, draft, fund, and administer them—don't miss this program!

The 13th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language and resources. This year’s program includes: Essentials for special needs trusts decision-making, including a practical “decision tree” analysis for determining the need for and type of SNT from Craig. C. Reaves, plus the fundamental rules for protecting your client’s eligibility for SSI and Medicaid A special presentation from the Social Security Administration’s Regional Trust Review Team with must-have insight on the review process and opinions on amending trusts; plus Neal Winston with advice and tips for practitioners in handling the trust review process Strategies and best practices for maintaining SSI eligibility once an SNT is created with Patricia F. Sitchler and Nancy Sosa Practical applications and case studies demonstrating the use of ABLE Accounts and special needs trusts from Stephen W. Dale A HIPAA Compliance Survival Guide to protect you and your practice from fines and penalties after the expansion of Texas House Bill 300 Tips and challenges in planning for the crowdfunding beneficiary from Mary Alice Jackson Supported Decision-Making Agreements and understanding key issues and pitfalls in representing parties using these agreements Current issues and trends from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Discussion on a variety of other SNT essentials, including Decanting and SNTs; SNT Modification and Reformations; and more An interactive presentation on the Ethics of Joint Representation with Rebecca C. Morgan Earn up to 2.50 hours of ethics, plus network with program faculty and attendees at the Thursday Evening Reception If you work with special needs trusts—or want to learn how to use, draft, fund and administer them—don't miss this program!  

The 12th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together nationally recognized professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language and resources. This year’s program includes: A special presentation from the Social Security Administration’s Regional Trust Review Team with must-have insight on the review process and opinions on amending trusts; plus Neal Winston with advice and tips for practitioners in handling the trust review process Updates on recent Texas legislation, including the possible impacts of new Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act, and exploration of the Texas ABLE Act with Stephen W. Dale A review of special needs trusts basics, including essential drafting tips and clauses from Craig C. Reaves; and the fundamental rules for protecting you client’s eligibility for SSI and Medicaid Current issues and trends from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Discussion on SNTs and tax planning, as well as a specific guidance on IRAs and SNTs An exploration of veteran’s benefits and their impact on SNT planning An in-depth look at the value of consulting with an SNT attorney in winding up PI litigation to preserve benefits and avoid unintended consequences with Patricia F. Sitchler Earn up to 2.50 hours of ethics, plus network with program faculty and attendees at the Thursday Evening Reception If you work with special needs trusts—or want to learn how to use, draft, fund and administer them—don't miss this program!

The 11th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts brings together leading professionals in the SNT field, features the latest updates and hot topics, and offers a great set of materials including sample forms, drafting tips, sample language and resources.  2015 program highlights include: Recent developments and essential information on the recently passed ABLE Act Get your Special Needs Trusts Basics on Thursday morning—the perfect foundation (and refresher!) for both new and experienced practitioners Gain unique insight into drafting and administering SNTs from a panel of experienced attorney-trustees Understand the options and opportunities in funding SNTs with IRAs Explore the role of Medicare in special needs trust planning and what it means to practitioners in Texas Learn the rules for calculating deemed income for SSI recipients Review the steps necessary to close administration of an SNT, including probate proceedings and Medicaid reimbursement requirements Hear updates and current issues from key agencies, including the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Learn more about available resources for your clients, including the Arc’s new online resource as well as options for affordable housing in Texas for adults with cognitive disabilities Earn up to 2.25 hours of ethics If you work with special needs trusts—or want to learn how to use, draft, fund and administer them—don't miss this program!