Special Needs Planning in Cooper City, Florida
Special needs planning provides for individuals with disabilities while preserving eligibility for SSI, Medicaid, and other government benefits. Special needs trusts hold assets for supplemental care without affecting benefit qualification. Mark Mastrarrigo P.A. helps Cooper City and Broward County families create special needs trusts and comprehensive plans, ensuring loved ones receive financial support and quality-of-life enhancements without jeopardizing essential benefits.
When This Service Is Needed
- You have a child or family member with special needs who receives government benefits
- You want to leave an inheritance without disqualifying them from SSI or Medicaid
- Your loved one received a settlement or inheritance that could affect benefits
- You need to plan for guardianship and long-term care for a disabled family member
How This Fits Into Your Estate Plan
Special needs planning is essential when you have a family member with disabilities. Your estate plan must coordinate with government benefit rules to avoid inadvertent disqualification. Special needs trusts integrate with your overall estate plan, ensuring proper asset distribution to all beneficiaries while maintaining benefit eligibility. The plan also addresses guardianship, trustees, and lifetime care arrangements for your loved one.
Providing for Loved Ones with Disabilities
Parents and families of individuals with disabilities face unique planning challenges. You want to provide for your loved one's future, but a direct inheritance could disqualify them from essential government benefits.
Mark Mastrarrigo P.A. helps families in Cooper City and Broward County create special needs trusts and comprehensive plans that enhance their loved one's quality of life without jeopardizing benefits.
Types of Special Needs Trusts
- Third-Party SNT – Funded by parents, grandparents, or others; no Medicaid payback
- First-Party SNT – Funded with the disabled person's own assets; requires Medicaid payback
- Pooled Trusts – Managed by nonprofit organizations; good for smaller amounts
Comprehensive Planning
Special needs planning goes beyond trusts to include selecting trustees, letter of intent, guardianship if needed, and coordination with other family members' estate plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a special needs trust?
A special needs trust holds assets for a person with disabilities without counting against eligibility for government benefits like SSI and Medicaid. The trust provides supplemental support for quality of life needs.
What can special needs trust funds be used for?
Trust funds can pay for many things not covered by government benefits, including education, recreation, personal care items, travel, therapies, and other quality-of-life improvements.
What is the difference between first-party and third-party SNTs?
A first-party SNT is funded with the disabled person's own assets (like an inheritance or settlement) and must repay Medicaid. A third-party SNT is funded by others and has no Medicaid payback requirement.
Can I leave money to a disabled child in my will?
Leaving assets directly to a disabled person can disqualify them from government benefits. A special needs trust in your estate plan allows you to provide for them without affecting their benefits.
Who can be trustee of a special needs trust?
Trustees can be family members, professional fiduciaries, banks, or pooled trust organizations. The choice depends on your situation, the trust complexity, and available family resources.
Related Services
Discuss Special Needs Planning
Contact our Cooper City office to discuss special needs planning for your family.
5500 South Flamingo Road, Suite 205, Cooper City, FL 33330
(954) 820-8535Last reviewed: February 2026
Protect Your Loved One's Future
Schedule a consultation to discuss special needs planning.