Can I Fund A Special Needs Trust With Life Insurance?

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: Special Needs Trust Funding

Most Recently Updated August 9, 2018.

“I want to set up a Special Needs Trust for my son in my Will. Can I fund a Special Needs Trust with life insurance?”

Special Needs Trust Funding

Special Needs Trust Funding

First, the answer to your question “Can I fund a Special Needs Trust with Life Insurance” is yes.  A Special Needs Trust formed in your Will is called a Third Party Special Needs Trust. A variety of assets can fund the Trust, including cash, stocks, and life insurance proceeds.  Life insurance is a flexible option, but you should work with your estate planning lawyer to examine all your assets in deciding what is the best asset to in funding the trust. 

Life insurance is a flexible tool.  With life insurance, you can adjust the amount you wish to pour into the Special Needs Trust by modifying the beneficiary designation.  For example, if I draft for you a Special Needs Trust crafted to hold life insurance proceeds you can name the trust as the recipient of 50% the policy.  But, should you change your mind, you can easily modify the beneficiary designation and name the trust as the recipient of, say, 75% the policy.  You make this change without changing your Will.  I find that clients benefit from a flexible estate plan.

Further, in many states including Pennsylvania, life insurance passes Income Tax and Inheritance Tax-free. Life Insurance allows you to fund Special Needs Trust inheritance tax-free.

Read here for more information about Special Needs Trusts.

Funding the Special Needs Trust with life insurance requires specific language which differs from the typical Will.

You may also wish to have other assets pour into the Special Needs Trust, such as a house. Your child could live in the house, maintained by the life insurance proceeds.  When a trust owns real estate, special powers need be added giving the Trustee authority to manage the property without court involvement.

Not to be forgotten, correctly completing the life insurance beneficiary designation.  The correct form must name the Special Needs Trust as the recipient.  An error in designation may ruin the entire plan.

Correctly crafting the plan allows the Trustee to quickly and seamlessly collect the life insurance proceeds.  The funds pour directly into the Trust, immediately available to provide care for your son avoiding Probate.

Funding Special Needs Trusts With Life Insurance Requires Selecting The Right Trustee!

Because your son might need funds soon after your death, it is important to choose a Trustee who will quickly collect the funds.

Often family members are not a good fit as Trustee.  Many excellent trust companies provide service as Special Needs Trust Trustees.  Another option is to pick a friend or family member who will interview and hire the Trustee after your death.  This “Protector” will have the luxury of knowing the exact circumstances at the time.  Using a Protector allows your trusted friend or family member to pick the best person or Corporate Trustee for the job.  The Protector may also replace the Trustee if they are not doing a good job.  Consequently, the Protector may replace the Trustee without a court hearing, which is much less expensive.

Clearly, with all these options is to your advantage to retain the help of an experienced Estate Planning Attorney. When dealing with a Special Needs Person, you want the process to be smooth, quick and uncomplicated.

I would be happy to brainstorm options with you.  This way I can design a Special Needs Trust that best fits your circumstances.

More Planning Questions?

Special Needs Trust Funding is only a piece of the Estate Planning process. By all means, if you want to learn more, please read my more detailed article, Estate Planning Everything You Need to Know.

In Conclusion: Special Needs Trust Funding

I hope that this article was helpful in explaining Special Needs Trust Funding. Further, I included links to even more detailed information on my website so you can learn more. Therefore, please contact me and let me know how I did. Certainly, your comments and questions are welcome!

Let our Estate Planning lawyers help walk you through what can be a confusing process. To begin with, call to speak to one of our experienced estate planning lawyers.  By all means, our lawyers are ready to answer your questions. In fact, feel free to contact our office for a free consultation. Ultimately our goal is to make the process as painless as possible!

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