Special Needs Planning

Protecting Your Loved One’s Future with Thoughtful Planning

Caring for a loved one with special needs requires more than just financial support—it requires legal strategies that ensure long-term stability and care. At Coastal Probate Trust & Elder Law, we provide comprehensive special needs planning in Pensacola, helping families create structured plans that protect assets while preserving government benefits.

Without proper planning, a well-intended inheritance or financial gift could accidentally disqualify your loved one from essential benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We help you structure financial resources in a way that provides support without risking benefit eligibility.

What Is Special Needs Planning?

Special needs planning ensures that a loved one with disabilities or long-term care needs receives financial protection and legal support while still qualifying for critical public benefits. The right legal tools help families:

  • Provide financial security without jeopardizing Medicaid & SSI eligibility

  • Ensure a trusted person can manage finances & care decisions

  • Protect assets for long-term needs, housing, and quality-of-life expenses

  • Prevent court intervention by establishing legal guardianship & decision-making protections

How We Protect Your Loved One’s Future

At Coastal Probate Trust & Elder Law, we create customized special needs planning solutions that align with your family’s financial, legal, and long-term care goals.

  • Setting Up Special Needs Trusts for Asset Protection

    A Special Needs Trust (SNT) allows a person with disabilities to receive financial support without losing eligibility for public benefits. We help:


    • Establish first-party & third-party special needs trusts to secure assets
    • Ensure funds are managed correctly to avoid benefit disqualification
    • Structure inheritances, legal settlements, and financial gifts properly

  • Appointing a Guardian or Conservator for Ongoing Support

    If your loved one is unable to manage their financial or medical affairs, a legal guardian or conservator may be necessary. We assist families in:


    • Designating a trusted individual to oversee finances & healthcare decisions
    • Establishing a clear legal framework for guardianship under Florida law
    • Protecting a vulnerable individual from financial exploitation & legal complications

  • Maximizing Benefits While Preserving Financial Stability

    Government programs such as Medicaid, SSI, and housing assistance provide critical financial aid, but eligibility is often based on income and asset limits. Our special needs planning services help:


    • Navigate Medicaid & SSI regulations to prevent disqualification
    • Develop financial strategies that provide supplemental support
    • Ensure long-term care costs are covered without depleting family resources

  • Ensuring Long-Term Care & Housing Stability

    Long-term care planning is a major concern for families of individuals with disabilities. We assist with:


    • Coordinating long-term care funding through trusts & benefits
    • Protecting housing & property ownership rights for a disabled family member
    • Developing a sustainable financial care plan for future support

  • Transitioning Support After Parents or Guardians Are No Longer Able to Help

    One of the biggest concerns families face is what will happen to their special needs loved one when primary caregivers are no longer there. We help with:


    • Establishing succession planning for financial & legal oversight
    • Coordinating trustee & guardian transitions to ensure continuous care
    • Ensuring the individual’s quality of life remains secure & protected

Take the Next Step in Securing Your Loved One’s Future