Special Needs Planning: Ensuring a Smooth Transition
Planning for the future can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time carefully to plan now, you can ensure a smooth transition later.
Guardianship and the Right to Vote
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Carol Wessels of Wessels & Liebau, LLC in Mequon, Wisconsin. The firm specializes in long-term care planning, estate planning for parents of special needs children, special needs trusts, guardianship and more.
Divorce and Children with Special Needs
Of the many life challenges and circumstances that can potentially disrupt the life of a child with special needs, divorce is undoubtedly one of the most difficult situations to contend with. While the rate of divorce remains lower for couples with a child with special needs, the stress and added responsibilities on parents can lead [...]
How to Appropriately Utilize a Pooled Special Needs Trust as Part of Your Estate Plan
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Jennifer Crane of Odin, Feldman, Pittleman PC in Reston, Virginia. The firm serves Northern Virginia and metropolitan Washington DC in the areas of trusts & estate planning and special needs planning.
Special Needs Alliance Announces 2023-2024 Officers and Board of Directors
TUCSON, AZ, October 24, 2023 - The Special Needs Alliance (SNA), the national organization comprised of attorneys committed to the practice of disability and public benefits law, has announced its 2023-2024 Officers and Board of Directors. Incoming SNA President Amy C. O'Hara, CELA, expressed her deep commitment to the organization: "Becoming President of the SNA is [...]
Your Estate Plan Is More Than a Special Needs Trust
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Meghan Teigen, Esq. of Johnson Teigen, LLC in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. The firm specializes in special needs planning, estate planning, elder law, and estate and trust settlement.
How Do Fair Market Values on Housing Affect SSI Payments?
It's not uncommon for parents of adult children with special needs to have their children live with them rent-free or charge them a small amount for rent. When that amount is under the fair market value of the area, are the child's SSI payments affected?
Planning Tips When Confronted with a Terminal Illness
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Nicola Melby of McCarthy Summers Wood Norman Melby & Schultz, PA in Stuart, FL. The firm serves Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties in Florida in the areas of elder & special needs law, estate planning, guardianship, and wills & trusts, and more.
Transferring Guardianship Between States
Moving is one of the most stressful things that anyone can do, let alone helping someone who has special needs move. Different states have different rules that may further complicate a move involving a person who is under guardianship.
A Short Primer on Trusts and Trust Taxation
This issue of The Voice® is a refreshed and updated version of an article that was written by SNA member Tara Anne Pleat, CELA of Wilcenski & Pleat of Clifton Park, NY, and SNA Emeritus member Barbara Hughes, who was formerly with Johnson Teigen LLC of Fitchburg, WI. The original article was posted in January 2012.
Tips for Navigating an IEP Meeting: A Guide for Parents & Guardians
For parents and guardians, we are providing tips and insights on navigating IEP meetings to advocate for their child with special needs. In addition to general tips, we will also discuss understanding IEP qualifications, common accommodations, and the benefits of having an advocate.
Sexual Abuse and Safety of Persons with Disabilities
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Kristen Lewis and Emma Barry of Bowden Law Firm in Atlanta, GA. The firm specializes in special needs and disability estate planning, trust and wealth transfer planning and administration, guardianship and conservatorship planning, and charitable gift planning.
Preparing Young Adults with Disabilities for College
Every parent experiences some anxiety as they prepare to send their child to college, but for parents of children with disabilities, those anxious feelings can grow exponentially. We are sharing some helpful tips to help allay your nerves and ease the transition process for both you and your child.
Tax Options for Third-Party Special Needs Trusts
This issue of The Voice® is by Sean R. Beck and Evan M.E. Barrett, who are colleagues of SNA member Charlene K. Quade of C.K. Quade Law, PLLC. Located in Boise, Idaho, the firm is dedicated to serving clients in communities throughout the state in the areas of special needs planning, settlement planning, Medicaid and long-term care planning, estate planning and disability and elder law.
Buying a House with a Third-Party Special Needs Trust and Medicaid Repayment
No Medicaid repayment is necessary upon the beneficiary’s death for third-party supplemental needs trusts. But what happens if the third-party trust purchases a home for the beneficiary, is it subject to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) one-third reduction rule? The following answers that question.