Archive for the
‘Life Planning’ Category

Your Estate Plan Names the Fiduciary. Your Transition Plan Helps Them Act. Estate planning often focuses on who will act when a client can no longer act for themselves. That question matters. But for clients who name Mission Management & Trust Co. (“Mission Trust”) as successor trustee, agent under a financial power of attorney, personal […]

When a Beneficiary Requests a Trust Distribution What a Corporate Trustee Considers When a beneficiary asks for money from a trust, the request may seem simple. For a corporate trustee, it is a fiduciary decision. The trustee must follow the trust document, honor the settlor’s intent, treat beneficiaries fairly, and protect trust assets for their […]

Shared Stewardship: Planning for Life’s Transitions — Not Just What Happens After Death When families begin planning for the future of a loved one with disabilities or long-term support needs, the conversation often starts with a single question: Who should serve as trustee? No doubt this is an important decision. Trustees carry significant legal and […]

Taxation of Special Needs Trusts Key Planning Considerations for 2026 Administering a special needs trust means more than following the rules. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that balance taxes with long-term benefit protection. Special needs trusts (SNTs) are designed to do something very specific: Preserve assets while protecting access to means-tested benefits. But from a […]

What Is a Trust Protector? When families create a trust, they name a trustee to manage the assets and carry out the instructions in the trust document. Sometimes, they also name a trust protector. A trust protector is a person or company given specific powers to make sure the trust continues to work as intended. […]

Supported Decision-Making: Help Without Taking Control Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is a way for people with disabilities to make their own decisions with help from people they trust. The key idea is simple: Needing help does not mean losing the right to choose. SDM supports independence, dignity, and participation in everyday life. What Is Supported Decision-Making? […]