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Planning for Affluent Families with Disabled Loved-Ones. April 2010 Stephen W. Dale Dale Law Firm, PC. Preface. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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PLANNING FOR AFFLUENT FAMILIES WITH DISABLED LOVED-ONES
April 2010Stephen W. Dale
Dale Law Firm, PC
1
Preface
Much of this presentation is from a series of programs we have done for financial advisors to familiarize them with the need for this sort of planning and to demonstrate not only the value to their clients – but the business opportunity this sort of planning presents.
Any reference to US Trust can be replaced with almost any financial group.
2
Before We Begin…
Short Stephen Dale and Dale Law Firm, PC Story
I have built a practice focused on serving the needs of persons with disabilities and their families
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Special Needs Trusts
I will be discussing the advantages of working with a team in order to add a social service element to your practice so that you can serve clients with disabled loved-ones 4
Before We Begin… In many cases (not all) I
incorporate this type of planning in what is commonly called a Discretionary or Special Needs Trust.
But a document itself cannot provide protection – it takes a team – and that’s where you come in.
5
Today’s Presentation
My talk will include:1. A little history2. The fact that many social
service systems are facing an unprecedented failure
3. How that failure affects most families in some way
4. How this unfortunate situation provides an opportunity to serve your clients - in some cases for several generations 6
So Just Imagine Imagine that you
have a 17 year old daughter named Kathy
Kathy has a disability and is going to need assistance for the rest of her life
Kathy could live 70 years or longer
7
Providing Advocacy for Your Clients Disabled Loved Ones
Many families are seeking answers on how to provide quality of life for their disabled loved ones
You probably have clients with these needs that you may not even be aware of.
More and more the financial industry is providing services that traditionally have been provided by the government.
8
Many Families Are Opting Out of the System
Many families don’t trust that the government will be there to provide for their disable loved ones
Many are looking at alternatives for provision of services and advocacy
9
The Disability Equations
Special Needs Trusts =
Welfare Program
10
Putting a Value on Public Benefits
The fact is that there are programs where services are only available to public benefits recipients
Put a value on the benefits Families are seeking quality of life Spending thousands of dollars to preserve
hundreds of dollars worth of benefits doesn’t make sense
Advocacy is the highest priority Many families of means are looking for tax
breaks1111
The Disability Equations
Disability =Poverty
12
Common Misconceptions
All too many practitioners focus exclusively on preservation of public benefits in their Special Needs Trusts and miss the big picture
There is no such thing as a Special Need.
Special Needs Trust planning is not poverty planning
Affluent families have disabled loved ones also
13
The Big Question
Does my disabled loved one need Special Needs Planning?
Could the beneficiary manage funds without great assistance?
Build flexibility to deal with changed circumstances
Focus on advocacy and asset protection
Could keeping qualification for SSI or Medicaid be a tool to assist my disabled loved one?
14
A Personal Observation There has always been
a gap between the haves and have-nots
The Gap is now a chasm If I have a wealthy client –
I can perform miraclesFor families with limited
means – their options are often limited
15
SOME STATISTICS
Many of these conditions are more prevalent than you might think
16
The Autism Epidemic
Let’s look at one segment of the
Developmental Disability Community
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Autism Prevalence by State
California1 of 154 school aged children are diagnosed with Autism
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You are encouraged to copy, email, print, distribute, and display these images on your website. Data references can be found here.
Autism Epidemic in the US
In 1992 there were 15,580 cases of children with Autism ages 6-22
In 2006 there were 224,594 cases of children with Autism ages 6-22
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Psychiatric Disabilities
In 2006, there were an estimated 24.9 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with Serious Psychological Distress.
(see http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k6NSDUH/2k6results.cfm)
20
Statistics for Bipolar Disorder
Approximately 4.4 percent of U.S. adults may have some form of bipolar disorder during some point in their lifetime. (see http://www.pendulum.org/bpnews/archive/001884.html)
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Substance Dependence
In 2006, an estimated 22.6 million (9.2% of the population aged 12 or older) were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year based on criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV).
22
Parents as Advocates
What you will often find is that the parents often serve as the advocates of their disabled children
Often parents will expect that the disabled child’s sibling will continue to serve as that advocate
In all too many cases this expectation is unrealistic
23
Doesn’t the Government Have Programs to Take Care of the Disabled?
California has been dismantling its social service system
Most county mental health programs have been almost completely eliminated or reduced to their bare bones
California’s budget crisis has caused proposals for even greater reductions in benefits and programs 24
The Challenge
Many state’s social service programs are facing an unprecedented failure due to budgetary constraints and a lack of commitment to the disabled community.
This failure affects almost every family in some manner.
25
The Challenge This situation also presents
the Trustee of a Special Needs Trust with the challenge of how to provide life-long services when programs that support the disability community are constantly changing.
Courts and public agencies are exercising greater scrutiny and oversight over Special Needs Trusts
26
An Unkept Promise On February 5, 1963 President
Kennedy submitted a speech to Congress entitled “A Special Message to the Congress on Mental Illness and Mental Retardation.”
Congress promptly passed the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act (P.L. 88-164), beginning a new era in Federal support for services for persons with mental health and developmental disabilities.
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An Unkept Promise
President Kennedy called on Congress to replace institutions with comprehensive community programs to provide outpatient care, day treatment, rehabilitation, foster-home services and public education on mental health.
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An Unkept Promise A Joint Commission recommended a
tenfold increase in spending on services for mental health and developmental disabilities over the next 10 years, as well as increases in training to ensure availability of the necessary workforce to serve this population
Funding would be redirected to communities—to hospitals or nonprofit community agencies—and not long-term institutional services
Eventually, it was hoped, state hospitals would be replaced by the community programs 29
Washington – We Have a Problem
JFK’s challenge to go to the moon succeeded – but the challenge for community mental health barely made orbit and has been in a continual decay ever since
30
An Unkept Promise Unfortunately, Congress did
not fully follow the Joint Commission recommendations
Today most community mental health programs are poorly funded and poorly staffed
Many State Hospitals have been closed but the full scope of services they provided have not been moved into the community
31
An Unkept Promise Developmental Disabilities
Under the Lanterman Act persons with developmental disabilities have been moved into the community through the regional center system
One of the most essential programs they provide are residential services
32
An Unkept Promise Developmental Disabilities
Most of the residential providers have not had a substantive increase in their rates in 10 years
Many of the providers have been dependent upon the equity in their houses to keep their programs afloat
California is proposing a 3% reduction in services
California is not investing in new programs
Thousands of new RC consumers are about to hit the housing market
33
California’s Disability Service Systemis Facing Unprecedented Challenges
July 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a $24 billion budget reduction that included $16.1 billion in spending reductions
When included with the $15 billion in reductions passed in February, the cuts amount to approximately $31 billion
34
California’s Disability Service System is Facing Unprecedented Challenges
The Governor permanently eliminated adult dental, optometry, chiropractic, podiatry, psychology Medi-Cal funded services, and others services
35
California is Not Alone in Cutting Services to Persons with Disabilities
With tax revenue declining a majority of states are instituting spending cuts to social service programs that reduce necessary services for persons with disabilities and their families.
(From Elizabeth McNichol and Iris J. Lav, “New Fiscal Year Brings No Relief From Unprecedented State Fiscal Problems,” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, revised Sept. 3, 2009.)
36
California is Not Alone in Cutting Services to Persons with Disabilities
States are cutting or eliminating services because the recession has caused declining revenues used to pay for these services
At the same time, the need for these services has risen as the number of families facing economic difficulties increases
37
4 Step Process to Serve Your Clients with Disabled Loved-ones
1. Awareness that California and the Nation are not providing adequate care for their disabled citizens
2. Identify your clients that have disabled loved ones that need some level of advocacy and support
3. Become familiar with the U.S Trust and how they can partner with your office
4. Document the plan in a Special Needs Trust or Discretionary Trust
38
Steps to Serving Your ClientsStep 1
Awareness that California and the Nation are not providing adequate care for their disabled citizens Government programs that do exist
are in jeopardy of being eliminated There are no effective government
based programs to monitor the quality of life of a disabled person
Many disabled persons are subject to abuse
39
Steps to Serving Your ClientsStep 2
Identify your clients that have disabled loved ones that need some level of advocacy and support Could be an immediate family –
spouse, children, grandchildren or parents
Could be someone not related Talk to your clients or “plant
seeds”
40
Steps to Serving Your ClientsStep 3
Become familiar with the U.S. Trust group and how they can partner with your office.
Have U.S. Trust help create a team that can effectively provide the services and advocacy that clients are seeking
Plan with your clients how to set aside the resources and effectively manage those resources for their disabled loved-one’s lifetime
41
Steps to Serving Your ClientsStep 4
Document the plan in a Special Needs Trust or Discretionary Trust that incorporates: The intent of the client The team to carry out that intent The flexibility needed to adjust to
changes in the beneficiaries condition or the social service delivery system
The tools to get the best investment and tax result
42
The Disability Community
The disability community is a diverse community
Every beneficiary is different The plan needs to be flexible to adjust
to the beneficiaries good times and bad times
In most cases the trust must last for the lifetime of the beneficiary, meaning money under management for a very long time
You have an opportunity to provide the assurance of life long advocacy to your clients that have disabled dependants
43
Social Service Planning Presents Excellent Business Opportunities
You almost certainly have clients that are seeking a solution about how to provide for their disabled loved ones
It may not occur to your clients to turn to their financial advisor for help
Many times these plans last for a very long time
44
Be Part of the Team After focusing on Special
Needs Trusts for over 18 years – I have come to the conclusion that building a management team to administer the Special Needs Trust is the single greatest factor in whether a trust will succeed of fail
I wish I could draft a document that would protect a disabled person – but it just isn’t possible
The Bob Jones Special Needs Trust
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THE IDEAL TRUSTEE Will use discretion in the best
interest of the disabled beneficiary
Must understand public benefits and keep up with changes in the law
Can wisely invest and conform to all statutory fiduciary requirements
Understands taxes Keeps perfect books Provides advocacy and
prevents abuse Is immortal 46
Financial• Can wisely invest and
conform to all statutory fiduciary
requirements • Understands taxes
Advocacy• Will use discretion in the best
interest of the disabled beneficiary
• Must understand public benefits
• Provides advocacy and prevents abuseAccountability
• Keeps perfect books• Carries insurance, is
bondable or has deep pockets
• Is immortal
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Model 1 – The Trustee directed by a Trust Advisory Committee.
The Trustee manages funds, makes distributions, does taxes, keeps records
The Trustee directed by a Trust Advisory Committee which directs distributions, can amend the trust or replace the Trustee
Can include care manager
Trustee
Advisory Committee48
Model 2 – The Trustee directed by a Care Manager.
The Trustee manages the funds
The Trustee can be directed by a Care Manager
The Care Manager interacts with the beneficiary
The Trust Protector oversees the Trustee and Care Manager from a distance and can replace either for any reason
Trustee
Care Manager
Trust Protector
49
Care Managers – Finding Peace of Mind
Professional care management has given peace of mind to many of our families
I have seen our beneficiaries clinically improve by incorporating a care manager into their estate plan
50
Surviving a Special Needs Trust
I have found that the utilization of a Professional Care Manager is the key to serving the Beneficiary and protecting the Trustee
51
Where To Focus
Many families focus only on death planning, but they really need to focus on life planning
52
Ed Roberts
Anyone can join our group at any point in life. In this way, the Disability Rights Movement doesn't discriminate.
53
Definition of Estate Planning
I want to provide for myself and my loved ones during my lifetime, and upon my incapacity or death give what I have to who I want, the way I want, when I want, and if I can save every last fee, tax or court cost possible.
From Loving Trust54
Example – Martha's Story
Martha is 75 years old and lives with her 45 year old daughter Helen
Helen has Downs Syndrome and has been living with her mother since birth
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Example – Martha's Story
Helen is very dependent upon her mother
Martha recently spent a week in the local hospital
Both mother and daughter are concerned about what would happen upon Martha’s death or incapacity 56
Engaging Care Managers Before a Special Needs Trust Matures
All too often Estate Planning is seen as death planning – but what if the parent/advocate can no longer be there?
Have the care manager do an assessment before the Trust matures Often identify needs Lets the Beneficiary meet the Care
Manager before a crisis Allows the parent peace of mind to see
the plan in action57
What Else Can Care Managers Do?Sample Language
Set budgets – manage expectations
Decrease the need for appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem by the courts
Determine the value of a caregiver’s services
Advise on the advisability of purchase of a residence 58
What Else Can Care Managers Do?Sample Language
59
What Else Can Care Managers Do?Sample Language
60
What Else Can Care Managers Do?Sample Language
61
62
How Much Do I Need To Set Aside For My Disabled Child?
Who the heck knows? Two schools of thought
1. Minimalist view 2. Plan as a safety net
Insurance may be a good funding mechanism to fill gaps
Qualified plans may offer a good alternative with good or bad tax consequences – great opportunity for the tax professional
63
Special Needs Trust Basics
Also known as Supplemental Needs Trust
Used to supplement, but not replace public benefits
Created or codified by changes to Medicaid law contained in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA-93)
Highly dependent on state implementation of the law
64
Third Party SNT’s
Created by donor who wants to gift money to individual without interrupting public benefits.
Established by third party and funded with third party’s assets
Excluded from OBRA-93 definition of a trust and therefore not a countable resource
65
Standalone Third Party SNT
Donor establishes a standalone SNT Established and funded as
standalone trust by third party and with third party funds
Can be used to coordinate testamentary gifts from family members Grandparents can name standalone
third party SNT rather than creating another separate SNT in their own will
66
Standalone Third Party SNTBenefits
No payback provision (would be required if child received gift outright and had to create first party SNT)
One trustee and simpler trust administration
Donor can decide who will receive any funds not used to supplement the needs of the child with a disability
67
Tax Planning with a Third Party SNT
Combine special needs planning with tax planning;
Know Grantor Trust Rules; Does not mean the beneficiary will
ever access public benefits - leverage what may be available;
Do not use “crummy trust” with special needs beneficiary;
Understand IRA issues with special needs trusts.
68
A Word About Planned GivingDoing Well by Doing Good
Affluent Clients with disabled loved ones are excellent candidates for planned giving
Special Needs Trusts and Charitable Lead Trusts make excellent planning tools
Example of Stepped Lead Trust – income interest to charity, remainder to Special Needs Trust
69
So What Does This Mean to You?
70
So What Does This Mean to You?
California’s social service providers need your support more than ever before
Many programs are receiving less donations because of the economy at a time of increased need
Many Californians are unaware of the importance of community social service programs
71
So What Does This Mean to You?
Programs that rely solely on government assistance may be phased right out of the system
To expect that the government will provide adequate resources for your disabled loved one could be a mistake
72
So What Does This Mean to You?
Successful planning will include:
Having the right team of advisors to advocate for the needs of your disabled loved one
Making sure your plan has the flexibility to deal with issues in a changing environment
73
Conclusion Our social service system is
struggling and the private sector is filling the gap
Social Service Trusts can be good business
Must have systems in place Care Managers are often
the key to coordinating advocacy
Social service programs like the ARC of Contra Costa County need financial support to continue to serve our most vulnerable citizens 74
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