DIVORCE AND PUBLIC BENEFITS
by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA Many divorces involve families in which a spouse or child has disabilities. Family law attorneys should always ask if this is the situation. In many instances, the individuals with disabilities are receiving public benefits and many other that may be eligible for benefits but are not aware of their…
Disability Annuity Special Needs Trusts
By Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA One of the trusts used in Medicaid Planning is a Disability Annuity Special Needs Trust (“DASNT”). A previous Straight Word article discussed a Disability Annuity Trust (“DAT”). These trusts are designed so that an individual can establish a trust and transfer assets to the trust for the benefit of…
Medicaid Planning with Disability Annuity Trusts
By Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA The Concept A sole benefit of trust is a creature of HCFA Transmittal 64.’ These trusts have traditionally been used in crisis planning. They can be established for the benefit of disabled persons—a Disability Annuity Trust (“DAT”).2 The idea is that assets would be transferred to an irrevocable trust for the sole benefit of the…
ESTABLISHING A DISABILITY ANNUITY TRUST FOR A BENEFICIARY RECEIVING SSDI OR SSI
by Thomas D. Begley, Jr., CELA A Disability Annuity Trust (“DAT”) can be established for a disabled child or any disabled individual.[1] However, in considering the use of a DAT for a disabled person, care must be taken to examine the other government benefits currently being received, or which may be received in the future…