Special Needs Trust Planning
Families with special needs dependents face unique planning challenges — protecting government benefit eligibility, funding a Special Needs Trust, and ensuring a lifetime care plan that doesn't fall apart when parents can no longer be the primary caregiver.
Disclosure
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, or investment advice. Special needs trusts and estate documents should be prepared and reviewed by a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
The costly mistake
Why leaving money directly to a loved one with a disability can end their Medicaid & SSI — and how to avoid it.
Medicaid and SSI limit the money and property a person may own. A gift or an inheritance left directly to the person can count against those limits, which is why many families name a trust instead. Your attorney can tell you what applies in your state.
Special needs trusts
A "protected pocket" that cares for your loved one without ever putting their benefits at risk.
A special needs trust is a legal trust, written by an attorney, that holds money for the benefit of a person with a disability. A trustee you choose manages it. The kind of trust and its rules matter, so I work alongside your attorney.
ABLE accounts
ABLE United (Florida)
Tax-free savings that don't count against benefits — newly expanded in 2026.
ABLE accounts are savings accounts for people whose disability meets the program's rules, and each state's program has its own terms. We can look at whether one fits alongside a trust.
Getting benefits in place
SSI, Medicaid & Medicare — how to access the coverage your loved one qualifies for.
A plan for the long run
A good plan names who will care for your loved one, who will manage the money, and how the pieces work together when you can no longer be the primary caregiver. I help you organize those pieces and bring them to your attorney.
The special needs trust seminar covers the basics.
See also estate planning and elder care planning.
Why I do this
I built my own family's plan first — for my parents, a brother with a disability, and a father with Alzheimer's — and I translate the complicated parts into plain language and a clear next step.
Common questions
What is a special needs trust?
A special needs trust is a legal trust, written by an attorney, that holds money for the benefit of a person with a disability. A trustee manages it. The type of trust and the rules that apply to it differ, so it should be drafted for your family.
Why not leave money directly to my child?
Medicaid and SSI limit the money and property a person may own, and a direct gift or inheritance can count against those limits. Many families use a trust so that help can continue without disturbing benefits. Your attorney will tell you what applies in your state.
What is the difference between a special needs trust and an ABLE account?
A special needs trust is a legal document managed by a trustee. An ABLE account is a savings account for people whose disability meets the program rules. Some families use one, some use both. We can look at how they fit your situation.
Who manages the trust after I am gone?
The trustee you name in the documents. Choosing one, and a back-up, is one of the first decisions to make with your attorney.
Do you write the trust?
No. I am not an attorney. Attorneys draft the documents; I make sure the pieces actually fit together.
Does it cost anything to talk?
The first conversation is free, no-pressure, and no-obligation. Tell me where you are and where you want to go — I'll tell you honestly whether and how I can help.
Talk with me
The first conversation is free, no-pressure, and no-obligation. Tell me where you are and where you want to go — I'll tell you honestly whether and how I can help.
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