In The Matter of the Medical Assistance Pooled Special Needs Trust of Steven Muller
The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) provided approximately $742,000 in medical assistance to Steven Muller between August of 1994 and the time of his death in June of 2020. On or about September 15, 2014, Mr. Muller entered into an agreement for the creation of a medical assistance pooled special needs trust to be administered by the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (“the Trustee”), and transferred approximately $144,000 to the trust. Following Muller’s death, the Trustee retained the balance of the funds in his subaccount, approximately $116,000, for the asserted benefit of other disabled beneficiaries. DHS filed a petition to invoke the jurisdiction of the probate court, and sought an accounting of those funds, and an order for reimbursement of funds not properly retained. On the parties cross-motions for summary judgment, the probate court entered judgment for DHS. On appeal, the Trustee argues the court erred because: (1) it was not required to provide additional accounting regarding Muller’s subaccount to retain the funds; and (2) payment to DHS of the amount remaining in the subaccount at the time of Mullers’ death was not an available remedy.
In The Matter of the Medical Assistance Pooled Special Needs Trust of Steven Muller
Appellant
The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, Inc.
Attorneys
Elizabeth R. Meyer
Jana Weiler
Elizabeth A. Etchells
Appellee
Iowa Department of Human Services
Attorneys
Brenna Bird
Laura F. Kron
Benjamin C. Chatman
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
Non-Oral
Feb 22, 2023 1:30 PM
