Special Needs Planning

Patricia L. Ferrari, Attorney at Law, understands the challenges parents face in estate planning for a child with special needs. A special needs trust helps to protect the financial interests of a child with special needs. It allows parents or caregivers to access money now to care for a child with special needs without affecting the child’s eligibility for Medicaid and other governmental benefits in the future. Do you have a child with a developmental disability that is attributable to retardation, celebral palsy, autism, spina bifida or Prader-Willi syndrome? Under Florida law, once a child with a developmental disability turns 18 years old, the parent no longer has the legal ability to make decisions for that child. Guardian Advocacy is a process for families, caregivers and friends of individuals with developmental disabilities to obtain a guardianship without declaring the individual incompetent. The appointment of a Guardian Advocate allows the guardian to make decisions for the person with a developmental disability. Ferrari Law offers a free in-home consultation for parents facing estate planning for a child with special needs. Special needs planning can provide for:

  • Personal care
  • Assistive devices
  • Special dietary needs
  • Goods and services
  • Entertainment
  • Vacation
  • Annual check ups
  • Hobbies/recreation
  • Appliances
  • Transportation
  • Specialty equipment
  • Homemaker services
  • Companion pet expenses