• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kulas & Crawford

Attorneys at Law

Call Now: (772) 398.0720

Attend a Free Workshop
  • Home
  • About Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Elder Law and Medicaid
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Financial Planning Assistance
    • IRA and Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Probate and Trust Administration
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Definitions
    • Elder Care Resources
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Palm Bay Elder Law Resources
      • Vero Beach Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Plan Checkup
    • Florida Alzheimer’s Guide
    • FREE Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Free Seminars
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Elder Law and Medicaid
      • Estate Planning FAQ’s
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQ’s
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
      • Veteran’s Benefits
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Presentations
    • Probate Checklist
    • Probate Resources
      • Port St Lucie Probate
      • Stuart Probate
      • Vero Beach Probate
    • Published Books
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
      • Trust Administration
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Workshops
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Communities We Serve
    • Indian River County
      • Vero Beach
    • Martin County
      • Hobe Sound
      • Jensen Beach
      • Stuart
    • Okeechobee County
      • Okeechobee
    • St. Lucie County
      • Fort Pierce
      • Port St. Lucie
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Home >> How to Use a Memorandum of Intent with Your Special Needs Trust

How to Use a Memorandum of Intent with Your Special Needs Trust

April 25, 2019 by Robert Kulas.

Port St. Lucie special needs planningThe moment you become a parent, the need to have an estate plan in place becomes apparent. If you are the aren’t of a child with special needs, the need for a well thought out and comprehensive estate plan is heightened. Care must be taken when providing for your child because making direct gifts can do more harm than good. As part of your special needs planning component within that estate plan, you may choose to create a Special Needs Trust. A Port St. Lucie special needs planning attorney at Kulas & Crawford explains why you may also wish to include a Memorandum of Intent with your Special Needs Trust.

What Is a Special Needs Trust?

A special needs trusts (SNT), also referred to as a “supplemental needs trust,” is designed to supplement, not replace, the kind of basic support provided by government programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A special needs trusts may pay for comforts and luxuries that cannot be paid for by public assistance funds. For example, funds from a special needs trust could be used to take your child on a vacation or to purchase a vehicle. The funds held in an SNT cannot be used to pay regularly recurring bills nor given directly to the beneficiary because doing so could cause the funds to be counted as income. That, in turn, could result in ineligibility for assistance programs such as Medicaid and SSI which have income limits.

You will need to appoint someone as the Trustee of your special needs trust. Your Trustee will have complete discretion over the trust property and will be in charge of spending money on behalf of the beneficiary (your child). Given your Trustee’s role, you should appoint someone who knows your child and his/her needs and abilities well as well as someone who has a financial background or education. An SNT can be activated during your lifetime or it can activate upon your death. In addition, other family members can contribute to the trust while they are alive and/or as part of their estate plan after they are gone. To ensure that the trust meets the guidelines for being considered a special needs trust, you should work with your special needs attorney during the creation of the trust.

Making Use of a Memorandum of Intent

Because the Special Needs Trust you create will likely survive you, it is imperative that you provide as much direction and guidance as possible to your Trustee to ensure that the trust will be used as you intended. One way to do that is to include a Memorandum of Intent, also referred to as a “Letter of Intent,” with the trust. Creating a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) allows you to put down in writing important information that your Trustee should know about your child. Given that your Trustee will be responsible for deciding how and when assets from the SNT are distributed, it only makes sense that your Trustee should know as much as possible about your child’s abilities, routines, likes and dislikes, and any particular interests they may have. Although an MOI is not a legally binding document, it can be a very valuable addition to your SNT because it helps your Trustee with the practical aspects of administering the trust. If you have chosen the right Trustee, the information you include in your MOI will be invaluable given the fact that your child may not be capable of communicating that same information to the Trustee.

The information you choose to include in your MOI is up to you, however, you may wish to include family and medical history, religious beliefs, and favorite activities, as well as some background information on your child’s upbringing. It is also a good idea to include information pertaining to the people and relationships that are important to your child in the MOI because those people can be an invaluable resource to your Trustee. Finally, if you have any specific wishes or hopes for your child’s future, include those in your Memorandum of Intent so your Trustee can help make those wishes come true.

Contact Port St. Lucie Special Needs Planning Attorneys

To learn more, please download our FREE solid estate plan checklist. If you have additional questions or concerns about special needs planning, please contact the experienced Port St. Lucie special needs planning attorneys at Kulas & Crawford by calling (772) 398-0720 to schedule an appointment.

Filed Under: Special Needs Planning

Other Articles You May Find Useful

special needs planning
Tips for the Parents of a Child with Special Needs
special needs
Florida Special Needs Evacuation Registry Could Save a Life
If you think that your special needs loved one will have the electricity he or she needs when the next disaster strikes Florida, think again. Learn about the shelter bed shortage, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Florida Special Needs Shelter Beds in Short Supply: What You Need to Know
Roughly 21 million American families have at least one disabled family member. Many have care needs that will continue long after their caregivers pass away.
Why You Should Consider a Special Needs Trust for Your Disabled Loved One
Special needs trust
What Is a Special Needs Trust?
Kulas & Crawford
The Difference Between a Guardian and a Guardian ad Litem

Kulas & Crawford

Download Free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

TESTIMONIALS

Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I needed a simple, easy-to-use way to add testimonials to my website and display them. Easy Testimonials Pro did all of that and more!

avatar-1
Janet Exampleton
Owner, Exampleton Productions
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I receieved excellent customer support, and quickly. Thank you so much!

avatar-2
Linda Herman
Founder, Herman Studios
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I love your product! I would recommend this to anyone. What a great find!

avatar-3
Steve
Developer, Acme Co.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

~L.G.K
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

~Joan C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

~Mildred W
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

~Leo C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

~Krissy L
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.

~Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

"Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family."

Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

Krissy L.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

Leo C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

Mildred W.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

Joan C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

L.G.K.
<
>

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Blog Subscription

Subscribe to our blog to get all of the latest estate planning news in the Port St. Lucie and Vero Beach Florida areas. Fill out the form below to get our updates.

PORT ST. LUCIE

East Lake Professional Center
2100 SE Hillmoor Drive, Suite 105 Port St. Lucie, FL,34952
Phone: (772) 398-0720
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • PORT ST. LUCIE

VERO BEACH

Bridgeview Building
2770 Indian River Blvd, Suite 321, Vero Beach, FL, 32960
Phone: (772) 778-8481
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • VERO BEACH

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Florida Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Kulas & Crawford. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys


© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.