Travis D. Finchum, Esq.

Travis D. Finchum received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree and Law Degree from the University of Florida. Mr. Finchum is Board Certified as an Elder Law specialist by the Florida Bar. He is the Managing Partner for the law firm Special Needs Lawyers, P.A.. He is a past Chair of the Special Needs Trust Committee of the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section. He has also served as the Chair on the Elder Law Board Certification Committee. Travis is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. He is a Liaison between the Elder Law Section and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar and sits on the Executive Council of both Sections.

Travis has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations that serve the frail, elderly and disabled and that focus on advocacy and local services for the disabled and mentally ill. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Arc Tampa Bay, the Guardian Trust Foundation, Inc., and on the Advisory Board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Pinellas County Chapter.

Mr. Finchum frequently speaks on the topics of Medicaid qualification, Special Needs Trusts, estate planning and taxation, including planning for incapacity and nursing home care, protecting assets from creditors, sheltering assets for family members with disabilities and public assistance programs. His practice also consists of probate, trust administration (particularly special needs trusts), trust reformation and sophisticated estate planning strategies. He sat on the faculty of the Lighting the Way Program: a program that provided statewide training on Guardianship and Guardianship Alternatives sponsored by the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council.

Mr. Finchum has been a resident of Pinellas County since 1977, where he lives with his wife Kiersten who is a registered nurse, his son Ethan and daughter Lillian.

Click Here to inquire about Mr. Finchum speaking at your event.

Speaking Engagements:

March 12, 2021 – Travis presented to the Lakeland Bar Association at their monthly meeting.

December 4, 2020 – Travis virtually facilitated at discussion on Special Needs Trusts at the AFELA UnProgram.

November 19, 2020 – Travis presented virtually at the Elder and Disability Law Forum about estate planning for a person with a disability.

July 16, 2020 – Travis presented to the Pinellas County Guardianship Association about Medicaid, Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts.

June 24, 2020 – Travis presented at the Virtual AFELA Mid-Year Update about the 2020 Legislative Session.

June 19, 2020 – Travis presented at the Florida Bar Annual Meeting on Special Needs Trust drafting – “Tips on what should and shouldn’t be in your Special Needs Trust.”

June 5, 2020 – Travis was asked to speak at the 22nd Annual Family Cafe in Orlando, which was held virtually. His presentation was titled “Getting It All in Order” and helped give families the big picture of the many topics, subjects and resources to explore, plan for and protect our child or loved one with special needs.

May 8, 2020 – (Cancelled due to COVID19) – Travis was asked to facilitate and discussion on “Special Needs Planning in 2020 with a Look at Decanting Issues” at the AFELA Mid-Year Update.

April 15, 2020 (Cancelled due to COVID19) – Travis was asked to present at the Florida Guardian ad Litem Symposium in Orlando. His topic was Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts.

February 21, 2020 – Travis presented “A Crash Course in Social Security” at the 19th Annual Elder Concert in Fort Lauderdale.

February 11, 2020 – Travis presented to the Jacksonville, FL Bar Association’s Elder Law Section about Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts.

January 17, 2020 – Travis presented at the 2020 Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar’s Annual Update in Orlando. His topic was Electronic Notary/E-Wills.

December 7, 2019 – Travis facilitated a discussion on Special Needs Trusts at the AFELA UnProgram in Orlando.

October 30, 2019 – Travis, alongside attorneys Linda Chamberlain, Charlie Robinson and Kole Long, presented at the Elder and Disability Law Forum at Suncoast Hospice in Clearwater, FL.

July 19, 2019 – Travis presented at the 32nd Annual Florida State Guardianship Association Annual Conference. His topic was “Advanced Medicaid Strategies with Special Needs Trusts” and he spoke with guardians, care managers, attorneys, and other professionals.

July 12, 2019 – Travis presented to families at the CFC International Family Conference in Tampa, FL.

June 7, 2019 – Travis presented at the 2019 Family Cafe in Orlando, FL. His presentation focused on how families can prepare for their future an discussed the basics of estate planning, including powers of attorney, advance directives, wills, and trusts, particularly special needs trusts. He also covered incorporating the financial plan with the legal plan and then what to consider about guardianship. Additionally, he discussed public benefits programs to know about such as the various Social Security and Medicaid programs.

May 23, 2019 – Travis, alongside attorneys Linda Chamberlain, Charlie Robinson and Kole Long, presented at the  May 23, 2019 Elder and Disability Law Forum about 2019 Legislative Updates at Suncoast Hospice in Clearwater, FL.

May 10, 2019 – Travis facilitated a discussion about the ABLE Act and the POMS at the AFELA Mid-Year Update in Tampa.

April 16, 2019 – Travis presented to the Jacksonville, FL Bar Association’s Elder Law Section.

March 22, 2019 – Travis presented alongside other special needs practitioners at a full day CLE on Special Needs Trusts at the Tampa Airport Marriott Hotel.

January 29, 2019 – Travis shared the latest “Hot Topics in Special Needs Trusts” with elder law attorneys, professional guardians and care managers in Lakeland, FL.

January 17, 2019 – “Hot Topics in Special Needs Trusts” at the 2019 Florida Bar – Essentials of Elder Law program at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, FL. Click here for reference materials.

January 8, 2019 – Travis presented to the Estate Planning Council of Northeast Florida about Specials Needs Trusts, Social Security Updates re: SNTs, and ABLE Accounts.

November 6, 2018 – Travis, alongside attorneys Linda Chamberlain, Charlie Robinson and Kole Long, presented at the November 6, 2018 Elder and Disability Law Forum about Special Needs Trusts Updates at Suncoast Hospice in Clearwater, FL.