As a nationally recognized expert in special needs divorce planning, I bring over 39 years of advisory experience and 19 years focused on protecting benefits and long-term eligibility. I work closely with attorneys and CDFA® professionals to identify risks, safeguard critical government benefits, and ensure that every decree supports the lifelong needs of children and adults with disabilities. My approach is calm, authoritative, and deeply rooted in advocacy, providing clarity in complex cases.
Protect benefits with expert guidance.
With 39 years of advisory experience and 19 years dedicated to special needs planning, I help attorneys and CDFA® professionals navigate the complex intersection of divorce, disability, and government benefits. My work focuses on identifying risks, protecting SSI and Medicaid, and ensuring every decree supports long‑term eligibility.
As a nationally recognized expert, I bring a calm, structured, and advocacy‑driven approach to each case, offering clarity and confidence in situations where the stakes are high and the margin for error is small.
I analyze the financial, benefits‑related, and long‑term planning risks in special needs divorce cases. You receive clear guidance on issues that could jeopardize SSI, Medicaid, or future eligibility.
I help ensure that child support, alimony, asset division, and parenting‑time decisions do not unintentionally disrupt government benefits. My focus is on preserving SSI, Medicaid, and waiver program eligibility.
I review or advise on decree language to prevent benefit‑disqualifying wording, improper support structures, or long‑term eligibility risks. This reduces exposure for attorneys and protects the client’s future.
I coordinate the divorce strategy with special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and long‑term care planning to ensure the child’s or adult’s lifetime needs remain supported after the divorce is finalized.
With 39 years of advisory experience and 19 years focused exclusively on special needs planning, I bring deep, specialized knowledge to cases where the margin for error is small.
I help ensure that child support, alimony, asset division, and decree language do not jeopardize SSI, Medicaid, or long‑term eligibility — reducing risk for both the client and the attorney.
My approach is steady, clear, and advocacy‑driven. I provide attorneys and CDFAs with straightforward recommendations that simplify complex decisions and support confident case strategy.
I work closely with legal and financial professionals nationwide, offering insights that strengthen case outcomes and protect the lifelong needs of children and adults with disabilities.
“Bret’s guidance helped us avoid benefit-disqualifying language and gave our team complete confidence in the decree.”
“His expertise in SSI and Medicaid protections is unmatched. He identified risks we didn’t even know to look for.”
“Clear, calm, and highly knowledgeable. Bret makes complex special needs issues understandable for attorneys and clients.”
“Working with Bret has become a standard part of our process for any case involving disability or long‑term eligibility.”
A practical reference for structuring child support, alimony, and shared expenses in ways that protect SSI and Medicaid eligibility. Attorney use this to avoid the most common decree-level pitfalls.
A clear overview of the key ages, benefit changes, and service shifts that impact families during and after divorce. This helps attorneys anticipate issues before they become problems.
A concise guide to what families must report, when, and to whom — so benefits remain stable and no one is blindsided by avoidable disruptions.
When a case involves SSI, Medicaid, or long‑term eligibility, you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to help you protect benefits, reduce risk, and give your clients clarity.
If you have a case involving SSI, Medicaid, or long‑term eligibility, I’m here to help you navigate the details with clarity and confidence
bret@hortindivorce.com
