Administering the Michigan Special Needs Trust: A guide for trustees and those who advise them

Administering a special needs trust (SNT) is a very important job, which often has a profound impact on the life of persons with disabilities. In most cases, the SNT trustee is providing the beneficiary goods and services that enhances their quality of life. In some cases, the SNT trustee may be the only person looking to the beneficiary’s welfare. Thus, the role of an SNT trustee is often a more substantial and complex role than in many other types of trusteeships. The great SNT trustee is a solid financial manager, accountant, record keeper, legal counselor, public benefits advisor, social worker, housing coordinator, civil rights advocate, guardian, and life coach. Moreover, the world of public benefits for the disabled is a complex one that requires careful study. It is very easy to mess up these rules and using common sense will generally lead to a loss of public benefits and potential liability for an SNT trustee. This is why authors Michele P. Fuller-Urbatsch and Kevin Urbatsch published their book titled Administering the Michigan Special Needs Trust. The book is written in question and answer format to cover all aspects of administering a special needs trust. In addition, there are multiple checklists, sample forms, and summaries included that will allow a trustee to confidently manage any type of special needs trust.