​
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Henson Trust and Life Insurance 
​
by Don Anderson, P.Eng., C.L.U.
July 2026​

Perspective


When something happens to a supporting parent,
will their dependent person's
care, housing, and education needs
be fully funded for the rest of their life?


Whether set up now or later,
a Henson trust lets parents
provide for their disability needs
well beyond government disability benefits.

Many parents choose life insurance
as an affordable way to strengthen the Henson trust,
giving them peace of mind
that their dependent son or daughter
​will be provided for,
​no matter what.


A brief history of the Henson trust
In the 1980s, Leonard Henson
created a trust in his will
for his disabled daughter, Audrey Henson.
The trustee had complete discretion on the timing and amount of any payments to Audrey.


The Ontario government tried to disqualify
Audrey Henson
from receiving her provincial disability benefits
​because of the money left to her in the trust.


The Court of Appeal ruled in her favour,
as it determined that the trust assets
did not belong to Audrey and she had no right
to demand anything from the trust.

Given this finding, Audrey could
still collect government disability benefits
while funds contributed to the trust could be used to meet her needs to a higher level.


Note: Now known as a Henson trust,
a trust for a disabled person can be formed
either during the settlors life time (inter vivos),
or upon the settlor’s passing through their will (testamentary).
​
​

Our Process

Sleep Well


Protect Your Child
A trustee manages the Henson trust
to meet the disabled person's needs for
care, housing, and education
over their lifetime.


Preserve Benefits
A Henson trust lets parents provide
additional funds for their disabled child's needs throughout their lifetime while keeping their full government disability benefits intact.


Fund the Trust
When the time comes, the Henson trust,
named as beneficiary of the life insurance policy,
receives the death benefit right away,
adding funding for their dependent's
​care, housing, and education
that lasts well beyond their parents' lifetimes

​
Enhance Your Legacy

LIFE INSURANCE PAIRS WELL
WITH A HENSON TRUST


Affordable
A cost-effective way
to inject funding into the Henson trust
after the parents are gone.


Timely
Money reaches the Henson trust quickly,
without waiting on the courts.
No probate or will-contestation delays.

Private Funding
A personally-owned life insurance policy
can remain confidential
​to the policy owner and the beneficiary.

Please contact an estate lawyer
for further legal advice.

 
​
​
​

Investing for Success

Copyright 2026 - Legato Legacy Planning Ltd. 

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Principles
    • Our People
    • Strategic Relationships
    • Community
    • Learning & Connecting
    • Contact
    • Meeting Legato >
      • Pre-Application Review
      • Application Process
      • Meeting Checklists
      • Parking
    • Premium Deposits
  • Advice
    • Our Process
    • Protect & Prepare
    • Investing in Life Insurance
    • Pro Plan
    • Philanthropy >
      • My PAR Gift
      • What Is My PAR Gift
      • My PAR Gift - FAQ
    • Policy Search
    • Will Search
  • Articles
    • Henson Trust & Life Insurance
    • Tax Free on Death
    • Be The One
    • Part 1: The Estate Freeze
    • Part 2: Investing For The Estate Freeze
    • Unlocking Intergenerational Succession
    • Freeze, Fund, & Feature
    • Tax Apportionment in Estate Planning
    • Beneficiary Designations and Resulting Trusts Revisited
    • Part 1: Legacy Gifting Private Company Shares
    • Part 2: Legacy Gifting Private Company Shares
    • Reduce Estate Shrinkage
    • Take Time For Your Legacy
    • Take Five
    • Look Across
    • Lest We Forget
    • Retirement Income
  • Onboarding