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

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iii.<br />

SupplementalNeeds<strong>Trust</strong> Payback<br />

A Supplemental Needs <strong>Trust</strong>, because it is funded with assets of someone who is not the<br />

beneficiary or someone with the obligations to the beneficiary specified in <strong>Minnesota</strong> Statutes,<br />

section 501B.89, subdivision 2, does not need a payback provision to be recognized as a valid<br />

Supplemental Needs <strong>Trust</strong>. The statutory provisions that describe a valid Supplemental Needs<br />

<strong>Trust</strong> do not include a requirement that the State be reimbursed upon the death of the<br />

beneficiary.<br />

However, in some jurisdictions (not <strong>Minnesota</strong> so far) the requirement that the <strong>Trust</strong> be<br />

maintained for the “sole benefit” of the beneficiary has been interpreted to mean that no one<br />

but the beneficiary can benefit from the <strong>Trust</strong> at any time, including the time following that<br />

beneficiary’s death. In those States, Supplemental Needs <strong>Trust</strong>s must include a payback<br />

provision in order to shelter assets from consideration for Medical Assistance eligibility.<br />

Further concern arises when we look at the Supplemental Needs <strong>Trust</strong> as a repository for asset<br />

transfers that will not result in a period of ineligibility against the settlors of the <strong>Trust</strong> because<br />

the gifts are being made in compliance with the transfer penalty exception to a trust for the<br />

benefit of a person with a disability. That exception specifically requires that the transfers be<br />

made to a trust for the sole benefit of a person with a disability. If “sole benefit” is interpreted<br />

to mean that the trust must not contain a beneficial interest for anyone other than the<br />

beneficiary, even following that beneficiary’s death, then perhaps the transfer exemption is<br />

only available with a Supplemental Needs <strong>Trust</strong> that contains a payback. As noted, the Medical<br />

Assistance program in <strong>Minnesota</strong> does not have a policy that requires a payback provision in<br />

Supplemental Needs <strong>Trust</strong>, but practitioners should be aware of this issue and stay informed<br />

about changes that could arise.<br />

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

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