How to set up trusts to protect your government benefits while protecting financial assets

Trusts are not just for millionaires. Special needs trusts are financial management tools that allow people to set up accounts, including investments, for themselves or family member without jeopardizing their qualification for government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income. Special needs trusts can be established with assets from settlements, gifts from family or friends, inheritance, or other funds. They can even be integrated into a family’s estate planning for their loved ones. Pooled special needs trusts, which can offer lower fees and better investment opportunities, and ABLE accounts are also other options.

Finances not your thing? No worries; in this 72-minute presentation, Josh Brothers, attorney and partner in the firm Brothers & Henderson, P.S., clearly explains these trusts with the lay person in mind. Josh is an attorney based in Seattle whose expertise includes estate planning and the development, implementation, and administration of special needs trusts and other types of trusts. This presentation was made possible by the Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System and you can view Josh’s presentation HERE.