Interstate Moves: Practical Considerations Before It’s Too Late
This issue of The Voice® is co-authored by SNA members Jennifer Crane of Odin, Feldman, Pittleman, in Reston, Virginia, and May-Lis Manley of Landsman Law Group, in Rockville, Maryland.
Tips for Securing Long-Term Nursing Care for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Transitioning a loved one with developmental disabilities to a long-term care (LTC) facility is a challenging process. The search process can feel daunting due to concerns surrounding the quality of care, financial aspects, and the individual's adjustment to new routines. Additionally, if you are the individual's guardian or family member, you may also need to face the task of choosing between permanent placement and the possibility of multiple transitions. Thorough planning can help reduce those concerns.
Three Ways to Avoid a Reduction in SSI Benefits Due to In-Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM)
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Rachel Trafton, Esq. of Maine Elder Law Firm LLC in Bangor, Maine. The firm focuses exclusively on the legal needs of aging Mainers and people with disabilities, including special needs planning, long-term care planning and estate and trust administration.
Powers of Attorney and Your Child with Special Needs
Powers of attorney are critical when you have an older child with special needs. If you are the parent of a child with special needs, you likely have grown accustomed to making medical, educational, and legal decisions on behalf of your child as a minor. When your child turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, your legal authority ends as your child’s parent. However, when your adult child has special needs, they may still need significant assistance in making these types of decisions or may be unable to make them altogether. Whatever your family’s situation may be, a special needs attorney can assist you in determining whether powers of attorney are right for you and your family.
Ten Common Mistakes in Special Needs Planning
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Thomas Begley, CELA of Begley Law Group in Moorestown, New Jersey. His firm specializes in special needs planning, special needs trusts, guardianship, and estate planning.
Designing and Implementing Annual Meetings for an Effective Special Needs Estate Plan: Strengthening Family and Professional Collaboration
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Emily Taylor of Emily Taylor Law in Phoenix, Arizona. Her firm specializes in special needs planning, guardianship and alternatives, and estate planning.
Long-Term Care Planning for Children with Disabilities
When you are the parent or guardian of a child with developmental disabilities, planning for your child’s future starts early. One top consideration for your loved one as they age is planning for their long-term care. Read what to consider when embarking on the planning process.
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.