Program Details
2025-09-25 13:00:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2025-09-25 13:00:00
2h CLE Credits
Intermediate
2
1:00 pm - 1:20 pm ESTThis session explores how means-tested benefits like SSI and Medicaid create critical constraints on trust disbursements. Participants will learn to distinguish between means-tested and earned benefits, and understand how In-Kind Support and Maintenance rules affect distribution decisions.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne Marcus 1:20 pm - 1:40 pm ESTThis comprehensive session covers the trustee’s core responsibilities including fiduciary duties of care, loyalty, and prudence. Attendees will examine absolute discretion versus ascertainable standards, communication best practices, and person-centered decision-making frameworks for disbursements.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne Marcus 1:40 pm - 1:50 pm ESTLearn how Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts provide flexible solutions for shelter expenses without triggering SSI reductions. This session covers eligibility requirements, contribution limits, and strategic uses of ABLE accounts alongside special needs trusts.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne Marcus 1:50 pm - 2:00 pm ESTThis session examines the distinct termination rules for first-party and third-party special needs trusts, including Medicaid payback obligations. Participants will also learn about pooled trust remainder policies and advance burial planning considerations.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne Marcus 2:00 pm - 2:10 pm ESTA brief intermission allowing participants to refresh and prepare for the remaining sessions. Use this time to reflect on concepts covered and formulate questions for upcoming discussions.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne Marcus 2:10 pm - 2:30 pm ESTThis session addresses the tax implications of grantor versus non-grantor trust structures and their impact on disbursement planning. Attendees will explore how traditional retirement account distributions interact with special needs trust administration.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne Marcus 2:30 pm - 2:50 pm ESTEngage with practical fact patterns illustrating challenging disbursement scenarios and trust termination decisions. This interactive session applies earlier concepts to realistic situations trustees commonly encounter in practice.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne Marcus 2:50 pm - 3:10 pm ESTThis concluding session provides drafting tips for anticipating difficult beneficiary circumstances, including mental illness, substance abuse, and vulnerability to exploitation. Participants will learn strategies for naming appropriate fiduciaries, empowering trust protectors, and building succession mechanisms into trust documents.
Ben TiefenbackJoanne MarcusBen Tiefenback, Esq., is Counsel and Director of Client Services at Commonwealth Community Trust, a non-profit pooled trust administrator serving beneficiaries across the United States who are injured, vulnerable, or have special needs.
Joanne Marcus, MSW, serves as the President and CEO of Commonwealth Community Trust (CCT), a non-profit pooled trust administrator serving beneficiaries who are vulnerable or have a disability. She is an expert in the field of Pooled Special Needs Trust administration.
Ben Tiefenback, Esq., is Counsel and Director of Client Services at Commonwealth Community Trust, a non-profit pooled trust administrator serving beneficiaries across the United States who are injured, vulnerable, or have special needs.
Joanne Marcus, MSW, serves as the President and CEO of Commonwealth Community Trust (CCT), a non-profit pooled trust administrator serving beneficiaries who are vulnerable or have a disability. She is an expert in the field of Pooled Special Needs Trust administration.
Requirements
The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.
Formats
