This course provides a deeply practical, step-by-step guide to understanding, designing, and implementing Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) and Special Needs Trusts (SNTs)—two critical legal tools used to protect assets while preserving eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Learners will explore how to navigate the complex intersection of elder law, public benefits, and trust planning, and learn exactly how to structure trusts that balance protection, flexibility, and compliance.
Through real-world examples, statutory analysis, and operational templates, this course equips participants to create, fund, and maintain Medicaid and special needs trusts safely and strategically, ensuring long-term security for clients and families without jeopardizing benefits.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Understand the statutory and regulatory foundations of Medicaid and special needs planning.
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Differentiate between first-party and third-party Special Needs Trusts and their use cases.
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Structure and fund Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) that comply with look-back and eligibility rules.
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Draft trust provisions that protect assets while maintaining government benefit eligibility.
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Manage trust administration, distributions, and reporting obligations in compliance with SSA and Medicaid standards.
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Anticipate and avoid common mistakes that trigger benefit disqualification or trust invalidation.
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Build customized, legally compliant trust blueprints for real-world client or personal use.
