October 2025 - Legal Update - Henson Trusts In Estate Planning

One of the most important aspects of Estate Planning is to ensure that your loved ones receive their share from your Estate in a way that benefits them the most. Of particular concern can be situations where your child qualifies for government support for a disability. If your child receives their share directly it can disqualify them for that support and disrupt their financial planning. The Henson Trust establishes a trust for your child where the trustee will manage your child’s share without burdening either the child themselves or their caretaker with managing the money themselves. The trustee themselves can be independent of your Estate and any caretaker for your child. It also provides transparency and accountability for the account itself, and rather than have it given to your child at once, it can be managed for the future. This trust allows a child to receive payments from their share of their estate without removing their support from the government. This allows peace of mind for yourself, knowing that your child can retain the support they need and have relied on. Peace of mind of the child, knowing that their finances are stable and they aren’t going to lose government support. Peace of mind for any caretaker as well, ensuring that the money is well taken care of and properly managed. Ensuring that what you leave your children can still provide for them without interfering with their future is the aim of the Henson Trust. Connery Milne, JD Liddiard Law Professional Corporation