N.J. Admin. Code § 10:167E-2.2 - Special needs trusts

(a) To be considered a special needs trust, the trust shall include the following provisions:

1. The trust shall specifically state that the trust is for the sole benefit of the trust beneficiary;

2. The trust shall specifically state that its purpose is to permit the use of trust assets to supplement, and not to supplant, impair or diminish, any benefits or assistance of any Federal, State or other governmental entity for which the beneficiary may otherwise be eligible or which the beneficiary may be receiving;

3. The trust shall specifically state the age of the trust beneficiary, that the trust beneficiary is disabled within the definition of 42 U.S.C. § 1382c(a)(3), and whether the trust beneficiary is competent at the time the trust is established;

4. The trust shall specifically identify, in an attached schedule, the source of the initial trust property and all assets of the trust;

5. If the trust makes provisions which are intended to limit invasion by creditors or to insulate the trust from liens or encumbrances, the trust shall state that such provisions are not intended to limit the State's right to reimbursement or to recoup incorrectly paid benefits;

6. The special needs trust shall state that it is established by a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of the trust beneficiary or by a court;

7. The trust shall specifically state that it is irrevocable. Neither the grantor, the trustee(s), nor the beneficiary shall have any right or power, whether alone or in conjunction with others, in whatever capacity, to alter, amend, revoke, or terminate the trust or any of its terms or to designate the persons who shall possess or enjoy the trust estate during his or her lifetime;

8. The trustee shall be specifically identified by name and address. The trust shall state that the original trust beneficiary cannot be the trustee. The trust shall make provisions for naming a successor trustee in the event that any trustee is unable or unwilling to serve;

9. The trust shall specifically state that the trustee shall fully comply with all State laws, including the Prudent Investor Act, N.J.S.A. 3B:20-11.1 et seq. The trust shall provide that the trustee cannot take any actions not authorized by, or without regard to, State laws. If the trust gives the trustee authorization or power not provided for in the Prudent Investor Act, an accompanying letter shall provide an explanation for each such authorization or power;

10. The trust shall specifically state that the trustee shall be compensated only as provided by law in accordance with N.J.S.A. 3B:18-2 et seq. If the trust identifies a guardian, the trust shall specifically identify him or her by name. A guardian shall be compensated only as provided by law;

11. The trust shall specify that a formal or informal accounting of all expenditures made by the trust shall be submitted to the appropriate eligibility determination agency on an annual basis;

12. The State shall be given advance notice of any expenditure in excess of $ 5,000, and of any amount which would substantially deplete the principal of the trust. Notice shall be given to the Office of State Health Insurance for the Aged & Disabled, Division of Aging Services, PO Box 715, Trenton, NJ 08625-0715, or any successor agency, 45 days prior to the expenditures; and

13. New Jersey rules and laws do not permit a trust to create a will for an incompetent or a minor. The money creating the trust, any additions and/or interest accumulated, cannot be left to other parties, but shall pass by intestacy. The trust shall not create other trusts within it.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:167E-2.2

Amended by 49 N.J.R. 3226(a), effective 9/18/2017