Yes. However, you haven't provided much detail. If you are the beneficiary of a special needs trust you should consult with an attorney before you request any changes (perhaps the attorney who drafted the trust, if possible). Special needs trusts are set up for very important reasons. The following is general information.
People with special needs generally receive some type of government assistance. If the person has any assets the assets must be spent on the person's upkeep before the person can be eligible for that government assistance. If you request that the trust be terminated the funds may be paid over to you and you may lose any government assistance until the former trust funds have been depleted. Any assets given to or inherited by a person with special needs are placed in a special needs trust in order to protect those assets from the situation explained above.
Consult a professional who can review your situation, the trust and explain your options.
Special needs trusts do not have retained earnings in the traditional sense, as they are designed to hold and manage assets for the benefit of a person with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for government benefits. Instead of earnings being retained, any income generated by the trust's assets is typically used for the beneficiary's needs or reinvested in accordance with the trust's terms. The primary goal of a special needs trust is to supplement, not supplant, the benefits provided by government programs.
No. The heir has no right to the funds set aside in the special needs trust. A living donor set that trust up with their own property and the heir has no rights to that property whatsoever. The trust is not responsible in any way for a sibling who was disinherited. Parents are allowed to disinherit their adult children.
No. You can have anyone you want be the beneficiary. A trust, church, or any person you choose can be your beneficiary.
Yes. If the beneficiary has any reason the believe the trustee is mishandling the trust estate, they should commence an action immediately by requesting a full accounting. If you suspect the trustee is being dishonest or violating the trust in any way you should consult an attorney who can review the situation and explain your options.
You need to review the terms of the trust to determine how it must be managed. A well drafted trust will include a provision for an alternate beneficiary if the primary beneficiary dies or it will include a provision for the termination of the trust and distribution of any remaining trust property.
A beneficiary has no responsibilities. They receive the benefit of the bequest or trust. They would be responsible for any tax consequences.
A beneficiary can access funds from a trust by following the instructions outlined in the trust document, which may involve submitting a request to the trustee and providing any necessary documentation.
What income they do inherit and receive could effect their SSI for that year.
It should have any impact unless you are a beneficiary of the trust.
You cannot have the same person as grantor, trustee and beneficiary in any trust. There is no trust created in such a set up. The grantor in an irrevocable trust cannot be the trustee. The property in an irrevocable trust must be permanently separated from the grantor's control.
You need to examine the trust instrument for any provisions that may address your question but generally the trust pays trust expenses. Those expenses should come out of the trust funds before the beneficiary is paid. You need to review the document that created the trust is order to determine what the provision are, how the trust is managed and the powers of the trustee.
The nature of any beneficiary’s interest in a trust depends on the type of trust and the provisions set forth in the trust document. Generally, a beneficiary is not entitled to any direct access to the trust property. However, the beneficiary has an equitable interest in the trust property and that means they can bring an action against a trustee who misuses or wastes the trust assets, or who fails to manage the trust according to the provisions set forth the in the document that created the trust.A beneficiary is entitled to distribution as set forth in the trust document.