CLICK HERE TO UPDATE YOUR INFO FOR THE UPCOMING MEDICARE & OBAMACARE ENROLLMENT PERIODS
Universal Guardian Trust
Third-Party Special Needs Trust
PROTECT THE ONES WHO NEED IT MOST.
The Universal Guardian Trust (UGT) is a third-party special needs trust built into the I.T.S. eStatePlan(TM). It is designed to allow you to leave behind your hard earned assets for your loved ones that are suffering from special needs or disabilities, without disqualifying their current government-based benefits, while also protecting them from being disqualified from applying for programs in the future.
HOW THE UGT WORKS
FUNDED BY FAMILY, NOT THE BENEFICIARY
Parents, grandparents, or other loved ones contribute the assets. The beneficiary never owns them directly.
MANAGED BY A GUARDIAN
A guardian, not the beneficiary, controls distributions, ensuring assets are used to enhance quality of life without jeopardizing benefits.
NO CONTRIBUTION CAP
Unlike ABLE accounts, there is no annual or lifetime limit on how much can be placed inside the UGT.
DISCRETIONARY DISTRIBUTIONS
The guardian may pay for supplemental needs such as therapies, equipment, travel, education, and recreation that public benefits do not cover.
FAMILY-DESIGNATED REMAINDER
Whatever remains at the beneficiary's passing goes to the family members chosen by the guarantor, never to the state.
BENEFITS PROTECTED
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)
UGT assets do not count toward SSI's strict resource limits. Monthly income continues uninterrupted.
MEDICAID
Assets in the UGT are fully exempt from Medicaid resource counting, regardless of trust balance.
SECTION 8 and HUD HOUSING
Trust assets remain outside the household resource calculation for federal housing programs.
SNAP and STATE DISABILITY PROGRAMS
Eligibility for food assistance and state-administered disability benefits is preserved.
NO MEDICAID PAYBACK
Unlike a first-party (self-settled) special needs trust, the UGT carries no obligation to repay the state at the beneficiary's death.
THE UNIVERSAL GUARDIAN GUIDE
Included with every UGT | Not available anywhere else
Money alone cannot care for a loved one. The Universal Guardian Guide lets the grantor leave behind detailed personal knowledge about their loved one's care, so whoever steps in next has everything they need to continue that care without missing a beat.
Abilities, disabilities, and daily routines
Medications, doctors, and care providers
Therapies, and after-school programs
Family traditions and meaningful rituals
Communication preferences and triggers
Hopes, dreams, and life goals
HOW THE UGT FITS THE I.T.S. eSTATEPLAN(TM)
REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
Your I.T.S. eStatePlan Revocable Trust controls the distribution of your assets at your death.
ASSETS FLOW INTO UGT SUBTRUST
The share intended for a beneficiary with special needs flows directly into the UGT, never to them personally.
The UGT guardian manages and distributes assets to support quality of life while preserving public benefits.
LIFETIME PROTECTION
1
2
3
WHO THE UGT IS BUILT FOR
Parents of a child with a disability
Grandparents leaving an inheritance to a grandchild with special needs
Families with an adult child receiving SSI or Medicaid
Spouses planning for a partner with a chronic condition
Adult siblings who will care for a brother or sister
Anyone naming a beneficiary on needs-based benefits
Integrated Trust Systems is a technology-based digital estate planning platform. The Universal Guardian Trust is a specialized subtrust available within the I.T.S. eStatePlan and carries fees in addition to the base plan price. Information provided for educational purposes only.
CMS required disclosure: "We may not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent multiple companies offering multiple Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D plans. Information we provide will mostly pertain to plans we offer in your area. You may visit Medicare.gov , call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact your local State Health Insurance Program office to get information on all of your options. Neither Courter Financial Services, LLC, nor any of its agents are affiliated with, employed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Government or Medicare."
That said, we will gladly continue to provide details on any plan for which we can find information (whether that plan is available on Medicare.gov, or through an employer/retiree program). We believe it is our responsibility as independent insurance agents to provide as much information to you as possible so that you are fully informed before making such important decisions. While you're absolutely free to contact Medicare, we'd love the opportunity to speak with you, earn your trust, and assist with your Medicare related coverage needs for years to come!