COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know
As more people are exposed to COVID-19, questions about testing availability and effectiveness are creating some confusion for individuals. The best way to prevent and slow the transmission of COVID-19 is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads and take the necessary precautions in the case of exposure and/or a positive test result.
Special Needs Alliance Celebrates 20th Anniversary as Leading Member Organization Serving and Supporting Special Needs and Elderly Communities
Tucson, AZ – April 27, 2022 – Today, the Special Needs Alliance (SNA), the national organization comprised of attorneys committed to the practice of disability and public benefits law, celebrated its 20th anniversary since the organization’s founding in 2002. The organization began as a series of discussions between 10 like-minded attorneys in a study group [...]
Regulations Governing ABLE Accounts
This issue of The Voice® was written by Special Needs Alliance member Darcy Chamberlin, Esq. of Chamberlin Riechert Law Group in Oak Brook, Illinois. The firm’s primary areas of practice are Elder Law, Special Needs Planning, Guardianship and Estate Planning.
Assisted Housing Options for Adults With Special Needs
For many families, providing adequate housing for a child with special needs can be fairly straightforward, particularly if the child remains in the primary residence with one or both parents. As the child gets older, there are considerations that need to be dealt with to ensure stability as they enter into adulthood and their aging [...]
SNA Public Policy: Advocating for Adult Children
The Voice® is prepared and distributed by the Special Needs Alliance (SNA). This installment was written by a consortium of members of the SNA’s Public Policy Committee. The Public Policy Committee through our public policy consultant, Brian Lindberg, work with members of Congress and congressional staff to educate and advocate on issues of importance to individuals with disabilities and their families. The Public Policy Committee will author periodic issues of the The Voice® to introduce our readers to the Public Policy efforts the SNA is directly involved in.
How to Assess What’s Important to Families with Individuals with Special Needs in a New City
Of all the life changes we experience, moving to a new city can undoubtedly be one of the most stressful and challenging situations. For families with a loved one with special needs, moving can add additional hardship, so it’s critical to plan in advance and be proactive in focusing on making the transition as [...]
Setting Up a Small Group Home
When contemplating an ideal environment for a loved one with a disability, a small group home is often considered, given its many benefits. In the majority of instances, families will work to find a placement in an existing group home that is typically owned and operated by a local non-profit service agency. In other [...]
Naming a trustee for your loved one
This post was authored by attorney Jefferey Yussman, Esq. of Yussman Special Needs Law & Wyatt Estate Planning, Louisville, KY. Jeff focuses his practice on estate planning, special needs trust planning and administration, Medicaid planning, and qualified settlement funds. In the event that a family needs to appoint a trustee for a loved one’s finances, [...]
2021: Transferring Guardianship Across State Lines
When considering moving to another jurisdiction, a guardian will need to know what will be required by both the original state and the new state. Read more in this issue of The Voice.
Tips on Staying Organized when Managing the Affairs of a Loved One with Disabilities
This post was authored by attorney Bryn Poland, Esq. of Mayo & Poland, PLLC, Baytown, TX. Bryn focuses her practice on estate planning, special needs trust planning and administration, Medicaid planning, and qualified settlement funds. Becoming and staying organized has taken off in popularity, generating millions of social media posts, magazine articles, reality TV series, [...]
Special Needs Alliance Announces
2021 – 2022 Board of Directors
Tucson, AZ – October 11, 2021 – Today, the Special Needs Alliance (SNA) announced its 2021 – 2022 Board of Directors. SNA is a national organization of attorneys in the practice of special needs, disability and elder law. “We’re excited to welcome our new board of directors and look forward to what this line-up [...]
The Value of An Attorney’s Network
Special needs attorneys have many kinds of legal expertise, but they also work with a range of other kinds of professionals to help them meet their clients’ needs. This article explains the roles of these other professionals and how you can find an attorney with a good network of these contacts. An Attorney’s Professional Network [...]
Helping Your Special Needs Child with Employment
This post was authored by attorney Tara Anne Pleat, CELA of Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC, Clifton Park, NY. Tara focuses her practice in the areas of special needs estate planning and administration, traditional estate planning and administration, and long-term care planning. She has been a SNA member since 2010. With the pandemic almost in the [...]
The SECURE Act – How It Affects Special Needs Planning and Special Needs Trusts
This issue of the Voice was written by Special Needs Alliance member Edward M. Biggin, Esq. an attorney with the law firm Landsman Law Group located in Rockville, Maryland. Ed practices in the areas of Special Needs Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Probate Administration, and Trust Administration. Ed is a member of the Bar in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Eight Ways to Help Your Child with Special Needs Succeed with Online Learning
This post was authored by Meredith Downing, manager of learning at Wonderschool. She started her career as a preschool teacher and enjoys designing learning experiences for children and the adults who care for them. The COVID-19 pandemic created a sudden shift to online learning, throwing children and parents into a whirlwind of changes that few, [...]
Millennials and Estate Planning
This post was authored by attorney Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro, CELA of Hook Law Center, P.C., Virginia Beach, VA. Shannon focuses her practice on elder law, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, estate planning, asset protection planning, financial planning, guardianships and conservatorships. She has been a SNA member since 2017. The pandemic has changed every aspect [...]
Individuals with Disabilities and the Animals Providing Them Services
The following Article for the Voice is an update of one previously published, and reflects the ever-changing rules and regulations with respect to service animals and emotional support animals, particularly: the Americans With Disabilities Act, the U.S. Dept. of Transportation regulations, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development rules, and the Fair Housing Act.
This article was co-authored by SNA member Richard Kroll, and by Nicholas S. Proukou, of the Kroll Law Firm LLP. Both focus their practices in Trusts, Estates, and Special Needs Planning. You will find them in Rochester, NY and may visit them at www.kroll-lawoffice.com
Take Full Advantage of VA Benefits for Children with Disabilities
The Veterans Administration offers several benefit programs for the families of former members of the uniformed service. These lesser known benefits could help your veterans’ children with disabilities. When Michael Kirtland, CELA, speaks with new clients in his practice, he always includes two key questions: Are you a military veteran? And if so, were you [...]