SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST CREATES OPTIONS Safeguard Assets for Family Members With Disabilities We create estate plans to protect our loved ones, and family members with disabilities are often most susceptible to financial difficulty. But safeguarding their futures is not always as simple as leaving a lump sum behind. An improperly structured estate can ultimately harm your loved one more than it helps, but a special needs trust will support and improve their lives. Many people with disabilities in the U.S. receive government assistance. But programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid have strict eligibility requirements. For example, an SSI recipient cannot own more than $2,000 in assets. Therefore, even relatively small gifts can affect their qualification for benefits.
by Darlene Parman MARGIE’S KITCHEN: GARLIC GRITS
As you may know, my parents (Margie and Harold) loved nothing more than to indulge in a bit of cooking (okay, okay, let’s be honest, mom indulged in the cooking, and dad indulged in the eating!) for family and loved ones. And since Easter was not too long ago, as of writing this, I was reminiscing on how Margie’s go-to brunch for any holiday was egg casserole, garlic grits, and fruit. She believed garlic grits were the perfect complement to any breakfast (it’s a Southern thing!). So, I hope you enjoy adding this Southern classic side dish to many brunches to come with your family and friends!
Ingredients
A special needs trust holds funds for your loved one without impacting their eligibility for government programs. A person can fund the trust with as many or as few cash or property assets as they’d like. A special needs trust will grant your family member additional resources without restricting their access to otherwise costly support services, medical care, or housing. Under a special needs trust, your loved one with a disability is a beneficiary, and they will not have direct access to the trust. You must also designate a trustee, a third party who controls and distributes the funds. Depending on your situation and preferences, the trustee can be a trusted family member or a third-party paid administrator. The trustee cannot give cash directly to the beneficiary but can use the assets to purchase items and services to improve their quality of life. Many people use special needs trusts for out-of-pocket medical expenses, a home, bills, or recreation. A special needs trust can even fund a vacation for your loved one! Ultimately, the trustee has fiduciary responsibility and is legally obligated to act in the beneficiary’s best interests. Special needs trusts can be complicated, and people making their estate plans have options between multiple types of trusts. A mistake can cost a loved one dearly, so it’s always wise to speak to an experienced estate planning attorney to understand your options. They can confirm a special needs trust fits your goals and will draft all necessary documents correctly to ensure your wishes are fulfilled.
• 2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese or 1 roll of garlic cheese (Garlic Roll is very difficult to find anymore)
• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 stick butter
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• Dash of Tabasco sauce
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook grits according to directions. Stir butter and cheese into hot grits. Add garlic, salt, tempered eggs, and a dash of Tabasco. Place in a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes or until lightly browned and set. 2. For a spicy change, use pepper jack cheese and add one 4-oz can of drained green chilies to the mixture.
3. For a breakfast change, add eight strips of crisp, crumbled bacon.
If you have a recipe you’d like us to share in Margie’s Kitchen, please mail it to us or email it to info@parmanlaw.com. We’ll feature it in our newsletter or on our website!
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