Joclene J. Vanik presented for the Columbus Bar Association’s Estate Planning and Trust Practice Group, a program entitled, Special Needs Trusts in Long-Term Care Planning. Vanik’s presentation focused specifically on the use of Special Needs Trusts in the long-term care planning context, for the purpose of qualifying or maintaining benefits. Medicaid basics were covered first, including non-financial and financial eligibility criteria. Then, Medicaid planning techniques were explored, specifically related to how to effectively and efficiently “spend-down,” through the use of special needs trusts. In this presentation, Vanik explained how the proper use of special needs trusts enables individuals currently in receipt of benefits to retain their benefits without adverse consequences. After explaining the purpose of these specialized trusts, Attorney Vanik identified the types of special needs trusts, the rules pertaining to each individual type of trust, as well as practical considerations to be used when determining which trust should be used and when.
