Special Needs Planning
Planning today protects your loved one's future security and quality of life.Worried about who will know your child the way you do? Our Letter of Intent for a Person with a Developmental Disability walks you through the routines, preferences, and personal details a future caregiver will need.
If you need any of these documents in an accessible format, please contact our office at (850) 894-0152 or info@sketchleylaw.com and we will provide one promptly.
Many Families Come to Us When...
- A child or family member with a disability receives SSI or Medicaid – and any inheritance could disqualify them.
- They want to leave something meaningful for a loved one with special needs but don’t know how to do it when a beneficiary can’t manage money.
- A loved one is about to receive a personal injury settlement or an inheritance that could affect their benefit eligibility.
- An adult child with a disability is approaching 18 and the family needs a legal plan for the transition.
- They’ve heard about special needs trusts but don’t know if they need one or how they work.
How We Help
Families caring for a loved one with a disability face unique legal challenges — especially when it comes to protecting long-term financial security without jeopardizing essential benefits.
Planning Guidance
We help you understand your options and choose the legal path that fits your family’s needs.
Clear Next Steps
We explain what needs attention now, what can wait, and how to move forward with confidence.
Legal Protection
We put the right legal tools in place to help protect your loved one, your wishes, and your future.
What We Help Families and Friends Do to Protect Loved Ones with Special Needs
Special Needs Trusts
A properly drafted SNT allows a loved one to benefit from inherited assets or settlements without losing eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, or other public benefits.
ABLE Accounts
Tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities that don’t count against most benefit program asset limits – now available to those disabled before age 46.
Guardian Advocacy
For adults with developmental disabilities, guardian advocacy provides legal decision-making authority without a full guardianship court proceeding.
Benefits Coordination & Planning
We help families understand how government benefits work, what changes to expect over time, and how to plan around them for the long term.
What Working Together Looks Like
Step 1 - Listen
We begin by listening and learning about your family's circumstances, concerns, and goals.
Step 2 - Explore Options
We walk you through the legal options available and explain what makes sense for your specific situation.
Step 3 - Build Your Plan
We put the right legal protections in place and make sure you know exactly what happens next.
Helpful Resources
These articles may help you better understand the questions, decisions, and planning options involved.
Guide to Special Needs Trusts in Florida
Most government benefit programs for people with disabilities come with a hard asset limit. For Supplemental Security Income, that ceiling is $2,000. For Medicaid, the rules vary but the threshold is similarly low. A person who receives an inheritance, a lawsuit settlement, or a generous gift can lose those benefits the...
How a Florida Special Needs Trust Can Help Protect Your Loved One with Down Syndrome From Harm
Down Syndrome Awareness Month Did you know October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month? This is a time to celebrate individuals with Down Syndrome as well as raise awareness about the unique challenges they face. One of the most pressing concerns for families is ensuring their loved ones are protected from harm, especially...
What Is an ABLE Account?
An ABLE account is a special savings account for people with disabilities created by the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2014. The purpose of these accounts is to allow people with disabilities to save money in a tax-favored way without jeopardizing means-tested benefits like Medicaid, SNAP (formerly...
Ready to Talk? We're Here to Help.
Every family's situation is different. If you're unsure what steps to take next, we're here to listen and help you understand your options.