As professional guardians and conservators, or as counsel to family members in those roles, we recognize that having a Special Needs Trust (SNT) might help the protected person in a variety of ways, from managing the funds professionally to public benefits. But how do we evaluate whether an SNT really is needed? What are the advantages and benefits, as well as the disadvantages and costs, for a guardian or conservator to create and maintain an SNT? If an SNT seems warranted, what trust models and/or types are there, and which type—an individual (d)(4)(A) trust, or a pooled (d)(4)(C) trust— would be best? And how do we go about drafting or creating the trust, choosing a trustee, deciding what kinds of provisions to include, establishing the trust, and structuring the relationship with the court-appointed fiduciaries? Finally, if the protected person's assets are in trust, is a guardian or conservator still needed? How should the existence of the trust be communicated to public benefit agencies? And what happens when the protected person dies? Is the trust part of the conservator's final accounting?

The implementation of the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) has changed some of the answers to questions like these, even though SNT's and guardianships have been around for a long time. This seminar provides a theoretical framework for understanding the similarities and differences among the duties and powers of guardians, conservators, and trustees. Most of the time is devoted to pragmatic information about whether, when, and how to use an SNT when you are appointed, or are advising, a guardian or conservator.

The panel balances substantive presentations with opportunities to ask questions and offer ideas.