Loud & Clear

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 [...]

2023-12-01T11:00:32-05:00Tags: |

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.

Turning 65: Changes to Consider for Individuals with Special Needs

When a family member approaches age 65, there are often significant changes to benefits and supports. In addition, there are opportunities that can offer future benefits to your loved one that need to be addressed, some before your loved one turns 65. What services may be changing? What do family members need to know? To help prepare for this transition, we have highlighted some of the top considerations.

2023-05-11T11:10:36-04:00Tags: , |

Pursuing a Temporary 504 Plan 

Your school age child may benefit from the institution of a temporary 504 Plan to help them better succeed at school. But is that a possibility? If so, what does that process look like? Read more to help answer those and other questions.

2023-10-30T09:27:11-04:00Tags: , , |

Government Programs for Children With Special Needs

For parents of a child with special needs, the support and resources needed can feel overwhelming. The Special Needs Alliance is a national alliance of attorneys for special needs planning.While some resources vary by state, there are government programs that can help alleviate some of the most urgent issues. The following provides an overview of the most popular offerings.

2023-10-30T09:02:24-04:00

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.

2022-06-08T10:02:32-04:00

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 [...]

2023-08-14T10:50:36-04:00Tags: |

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 [...]

2023-08-14T10:52:43-04:00Tags: |

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, [...]

2022-04-14T09:18:14-04:00