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Probate & Trust Law Section Conference Manual ... - Minnesota CLE

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ii.<br />

Legal Guardian<br />

It is generally accepted that a legal guardian includes a Guardian or a Conservator appointed by<br />

the Court. In <strong>Minnesota</strong>, Conservators have the authority to "create a revocable or irrevocable<br />

<strong>Trust</strong> of property of the estate, whether or not the <strong>Trust</strong> extends beyond the duration of the<br />

conservatorship." Minn.Stat. 524.5‐411(a)(4). Even with this raw power in statute it is also<br />

generally accepted that the significant decision to establish a <strong>Trust</strong> for the Protected Person<br />

and then move the Protected Person's resources under the ownership of the <strong>Trust</strong> (and out of<br />

the Conservatorship estate) should be pre‐approved by the Court.<br />

iii.<br />

Court<br />

The authority of a Court to establish a SpecialNeeds<strong>Trust</strong> appears to be unlimited. Federal or<br />

State Courts, the Civil, Family or <strong>Probate</strong> Divisions, Worker's Compensation Courts, any Court<br />

may establish a SpecialNeeds<strong>Trust</strong>. In general, this is accomplished with an Order of the Court<br />

stating simply that the <strong>Trust</strong> is established and, for good measure, requiring that a copy of the<br />

Order accompany the <strong>Trust</strong> document. <strong>Minnesota</strong> has provided clear statutory guidance to the<br />

Courts in this regard. Minn.Stat. 501B.89, Subd. 3.<br />

iv.<br />

Individual with a Disability<br />

The individual with the disability can join a Pooled SpecialNeeds<strong>Trust</strong> on his or her own. This<br />

possibility extends to an agent with authority to act for the individual, such as an Attorney‐in‐<br />

Fact, Guardian or Conservator. This is only a possibility with Pooled SpecialNeeds<strong>Trust</strong>s<br />

because federal law says so. Compare 42 U.S.C. 1396p(d)(4)(A) with (d)(4)(C). The Pooled<br />

<strong>Trust</strong>s available in <strong>Minnesota</strong> include:<br />

Center for Special Needs <strong>Trust</strong> Administration<br />

David Fitch<br />

763.213.0714<br />

dpfitch@gmail.com<br />

Guardian & Protective Services (GAPS)<br />

Kelly Qualey<br />

701.297.8988<br />

gapsfargo@gapsinc.org<br />

Lutheran Social Service of <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />

Kimberly Bahl<br />

651.310.9420<br />

Kimberly.Bahl@lssmn.org<br />

ARC <strong>Minnesota</strong><br />

Dennis Collins<br />

651.523.0823 ext 111<br />

DennisC@ARcMN.org<br />

b. SupplementalNeeds<strong>Trust</strong> Establishment<br />

A SupplementalNeeds<strong>Trust</strong> may be established and funded by anyone other than the<br />

<strong>Trust</strong>beneficiary, his or her spouse, or “anyone obligated to pay any sum for damages or any<br />

other purpose to or for the benefit of the <strong>Trust</strong>beneficiary under the terms of a settlement<br />

agreement or judgment.” Minn.Stat. § 501B.89, subd. 2(b). An individual with a disability<br />

8 Supplemental & Special Needs <strong>Trust</strong> Basics | Jeffrey W. Schmidt

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