top of page
BLOGS
Guidance, clarity, and stories that empower families with knowledge, so you can plan with confidence, one step at a time.


The Role of Guardianship & Supported Decision-Making in Special Needs Estate Planning
When your child with disabilities turns 18 in Florida, the law changes overnight. This guide explains guardianship, guardian advocacy, and supported decision-making in simple, parent-friendly language.
Dec 4, 20257 min read


Periodic Review: Why You Must Revisit Your Special Needs Trust Every 2–5 Years
A Special Needs Trust is not a one time solution. As your child’s needs, benefits, family dynamics, and assets change, the trust must evolve too. A review every three to five years keeps the plan aligned with today’s reality, protects SSI and Medicaid eligibility, and ensures your child remains fully supported. Regular reviews safeguard the long term stability and dignity you intended when you first created the trust.
Nov 20, 20256 min read


Trustee Misuse & Fraud: Lessons from the Florida Special Needs Trust Scandal
This post will help you understand how trustee abuse happens, what legal duties trustees owe under Florida law, how to detect red flags early, and, most importantly, how to build safeguards into your plan to protect your child’s trust from ever being misused.
Nov 11, 20257 min read


The #1 Mistake Parents Make When Creating a Special Needs Trust and How to Fix It
Many Florida parents unintentionally jeopardize their child’s SSI or Medicaid benefits by leaving assets directly to them instead of through a special needs trust. This simple mistake can cause benefit loss and financial hardship. Learn the #1 mistake families make when setting up a special needs trust and how to fix it before it puts your child’s future at risk.
Nov 5, 20255 min read


Is Your Special Needs Plan Outdated? A Florida Family’s Checklist for Today’s Laws
Special needs planning isn’t a one-time task. Laws, Medicaid rules, and SSI eligibility requirements change constantly in Florida. Our Special Needs Family Checklist helps you review Medicaid, guardianship, ABLE accounts, and trusts to keep your child’s future secure. Regular updates prevent costly mistakes and protect lifelong benefits.
Oct 27, 20255 min read


Understanding SSI Resource Transfers: What Florida Families Need to Know
When planning for a loved one with special needs, even a small financial move can risk SSI and Medicaid. The SSA reviews all transfers within 36 months, and a mistake could mean months without benefits. With the right planning, like exempt trusts and proper documentation, you can protect your child’s future and avoid costly penalties.
Oct 15, 20253 min read


SSI vs. SSDI: Understanding the Differences and Knowing When to Apply in Florida
For Florida families caring for a loved one with disabilities, understanding the difference between SSI and SSDI is more than paperwork; it’s the key to securing income, health coverage, and long-term stability. In this guide, we break down exactly what each benefit offers, who qualifies, how they interact, and the critical timing decisions that can make or break Medicaid eligibility.
Oct 8, 20255 min read


Inheriting Fairly: How to Balance Estate Planning Between a Special Needs Child and Their Siblings in Florida
How do you provide for your child with lifelong disabilities without leaving siblings feeling overlooked or burdened? Equal shares may sound fair, but in reality, they can put benefits at risk and create future resentment. In this blog, we explore how Florida families can balance inheritance planning using tools like special needs trusts, life insurance, and clear communication so your plan protects every child and strengthens family bonds.
Sep 29, 20254 min read


How the SSA Evaluates Trusts for SSI Eligibility: What Florida Families Need to Know
Creating a trust for a loved one with special needs can unintentionally disqualify them from SSI. The SSA carefully reviews trust structure and disbursements, and even small errors can suspend benefits for months. Florida families must ensure their trusts are drafted and administered with SSI rules in mind.
Sep 17, 20253 min read


Estimating the Future Cost of Care for a Loved One with Special Needs in Florida
Planning for the lifelong care of a loved one with special needs isn’t just a legal matter, it’s an emotional, financial, and deeply personal journey. Unlike traditional retirement planning, this process must cover unpredictable medical costs, changing public benefits, and the reality that your loved one may outlive you by decades.
Sep 12, 20254 min read


ABLE Accounts vs. Special Needs Trusts: What Florida Families Should Know Before Choosing
Planning for a loved one with special needs in Florida means balancing love with strategy. Learn how ABLE accounts and special needs trusts work, when to use each, and how they can work together to protect benefits like Medicaid and SSI while supporting your family’s long-term goals.
Aug 14, 20254 min read


Big Beautiful Bill Act 2025 - How It Changes Medicaid and Special Needs Planning in Florida
Learn how the Big Beautiful Bill Act 2025 changes Medicaid eligibility and ABLE account rules, and how it impacts your family’s special needs planning in Florida.
Aug 8, 20255 min read


What to Do When a Parent Dies in Florida: A Clear, Compassionate Guide From Our Legal Team.
Losing a parent is hard enough; figuring out what to do next shouldn’t add to the pain. This step-by-step guide from Legacy Solutions Law Firm walks Florida families through the probate process with clarity and compassion, from securing documents to distributing assets. Let us help you protect your parent’s legacy and avoid costly mistakes.
Jul 29, 20254 min read


Who Inherits If There’s No Will in Florida? Understanding Florida’s Intestate Succession Laws
When a parent dies, the legal aftermath can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down Florida’s probate process step-by-step—from handling property and wills to filing court petitions so you don’t have to face it alone. Clear. Compassionate. Practical.
Jul 27, 20254 min read


Summary vs. Formal Administration in Florida: Which Is Faster and Cheaper?
Trying to decide between summary and formal administration in Florida? This guide breaks down the key differences in cost, timeline, and complexity, so you can choose the probate process that gives your family the fastest, most affordable path forward.
Jun 23, 20254 min read


Is Probate Always Required in Florida? What the Law Actually Says
Wondering if probate is necessary after a loved one’s passing in Florida? The answer depends on several factors, from asset types to how they’re titled. In this guide, we break down when probate is legally required and when you might be able to avoid it altogether.
Jun 18, 20254 min read


Why Every Florida Parent of a Special Needs Child Needs a Letter of Intent
A Letter of Intent is a written document created by a parent or caregiver of a person with special needs. It captures everything someone would need to know if they had to step into your shoes tomorrow.
May 20, 20254 min read


Third-Party Special Needs Trusts in Florida: How to Provide for Your Child Without Risking Their Benefits
Planning for a child with special needs isn’t just about love; it’s about making sure your support doesn’t jeopardize vital benefits like SSI or Medicaid. In Florida, a third-party special needs trust offers families a way to provide financial care while preserving eligibility. Learn how these trusts work, why they matter, and how you can protect your child's future with intention.
May 6, 20253 min read


Setting Up a First-Party Special Needs Trust in Florida: What Families Must Know
When a child or adult with special needs receives a legal settlement or inheritance, it can unintentionally disqualify them from vital benefits like SSI and Medicaid. In Florida, a properly structured first-party special needs trust can protect both their future and their eligibility. Learn what makes these trusts compliant, why timing matters, and how families across Hollywood and Broward County are securing lifelong support the right way.
May 6, 20254 min read
A: 4000 Hollywood Boulevard
Suite 485-S
Hollywood, FL 33021

We’re here to help you take the next step with clarity and care.
Whether you’re ready to get started or just have questions, reach out — we’ll listen, guide, and support you every step of the way.
bottom of page

