Long Term Care Planning Attorney
Planning for long term care is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health, your family, and your assets. Whether you are preparing for nursing home care, assisted living, in home support, or planning for a loved one with disabilities, proactive Medicaid and long term care planning is essential.
At De Paz Law, we help Florida families develop clear, legally sound strategies to qualify for Medicaid benefits while preserving as much of their hard earned assets as possible. Through Medicaid asset protection planning, income structuring, spend down guidance, and properly drafted trusts including special needs trusts, we build customized plans designed to protect eligibility for vital programs like SSI and Medicaid.
Our focus is on
protecting your home, safeguarding savings, and positioning your family for financial stability as healthcare needs change. With careful planning, you can secure quality care without losing everything you worked so hard to build.
Leaving money directly to a disabled beneficiary can unintentionally disqualify them from SSI or Medicaid. A properly structured special needs trust protects benefits while allowing funds to be used for quality-of-life support.
Why a Special Needs Trust Matters
Without proper planning, well-meaning gifts or inheritances can cause serious harm. A special needs trust helps:

- Preserve SSI and Medicaid eligibility
- Provide supplemental care, education, and enrichment
- Protect funds from misuse or mismanagement
- Ensure continuity of care beyond your lifetime
Common Mistakes We Help Families Avoid
Leaving assets outright to a disabled beneficiary
Naming them directly on beneficiary designations
Informal gifting or shared accounts
Relying on vague instructions instead of legal structure
A trust prevents these outcomes and provides clarity for caregivers and trustees.
Types of Special Needs Trusts (High-Level)
- Third-Party Special Needs Trusts - funded by parents or relatives
- Self-Settled Trusts - funded with the beneficiary's own assets (special rules apply)
We help determine the right structure based on your family's situation.
Choosing the Right Trustee
Trustee selection is critical. We help families evaluate:

- Individual vs. professional trustees
- Successor trustee planning
- Clear instructions to reduce conflict and risk
Integrated Estate Planning Support
Special needs planning often works best alongside broader estate planning and trust strategies.
Related services:
Why Families Choose De Paz Law
- Careful, individualized drafting - no templates
- Florida-focused planning experience
- Team-based attorney support
- Clear communication and compassionate guidance