NEWS & INSIGHTS

The Lynch Law Group Partner Edward F. Twomey and Associate Attorney Drew Durbin will co-present a continuing legal education course titled “Pennsylvania Medicaid Planning and Special Needs Trusts.” 

Course Details

Title: “Pennsylvania Medicaid Planning and Special Needs Trusts”
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EDT
Format: Live online through the National Business Institute (NBI)

About the Course

Medicaid and special needs trust planning demands a careful balance of technical knowledge, strategic thinking, and client-centered counsel. This comprehensive six-hour program takes attorneys and other practitioners through the full arc of Pennsylvania Medicaid planning, from eligibility rules and asset limitations to trust drafting, administration, and ethical responsibilities.

Ed and Drew will co-present three of the program’s seven sessions:

Session 1: Medicaid Eligibility Rules and Asset Limitations in Pennsylvania
This session covers the core framework of Pennsylvania Medicaid eligibility, including medical eligibility criteria, income and asset thresholds, treatment of retirement accounts and life insurance, key exemptions, and the look-back period and transfer penalties that can affect clients’ planning options.

Session 2: Comparing Types of Special Needs Trusts and Their Uses
Attendees will explore the distinctions between first-party and third-party trusts, funding considerations, pooled trusts, and the interplay between SNTs and ABLE accounts, with practical guidance on selecting the right structure for each client’s circumstances.

Session 3: Drafting Special Needs Trusts: Best Practices and Pitfalls
This session dives into the mechanics of drafting effective SNTs, including essential provisions, payback clauses, trustee authority, discretionary distribution standards, and common drafting errors that can invite scrutiny or jeopardize a beneficiary’s public benefits.

What You Will Learn

Across the full program, participants will gain the tools to navigate the most challenging aspects of Medicaid and special needs planning in Pennsylvania, including:

• Methods for structuring client assets to preserve Medicaid eligibility under current rules
• Confidence in selecting the appropriate type of special needs trust for each client’s unique situation
• Techniques for drafting SNT provisions that support sound long-term administration
• An understanding of trustee fiduciary duties and how to prevent administrative missteps
• Guidance on the tax treatment of special needs and Medicaid asset protection trusts, including key reporting obligations
• Clarity on ethical responsibilities when representing vulnerable clients and couples

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for attorneys, with particular relevance for those practicing in elder law, estate planning, trusts and estates, and disability law. Accountants, tax professionals, trustees, other fiduciaries, and paralegals will also benefit from attending.

The program has been approved for 6 Pennsylvania CLE credits, as well as credits in New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia.

About the Presenters

Edward F. Twomey is a Partner at The Lynch Law Group, where he is a member of the corporate and estates and trusts practice groups. For more than 12 years, Ed has helped families and individuals in the Pittsburgh area create customized estate plans, with significant experience in wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, guardianships, and charitable gifts. He is also well-versed in business succession planning for owners seeking to plan for the legacy of their business. Ed earned his B.S. from Duquesne University and his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Drew Durbin is an Associate Attorney at The Lynch Law Group focusing on the intersection of tax, estate, and corporate law, with a particular emphasis on trust and estate planning strategies and their tax implications. Known for making complex legal and tax concepts accessible, Drew brings a client-centered approach to every matter, from business succession planning to estate administration. He earned his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he completed a certificate in tax law and served as managing editor of the Pittsburgh Tax Review, and is currently pursuing an LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University.

Register Today

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your knowledge of one of the most nuanced and consequential areas of Pennsylvania elder law and estate planning.

Secure your spot today at https://nbi-sems.com/products/101725.