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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Loud & Clear: Family Conversations tackles the day-to-day and long-range issues that affect the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. This post offers guidance from an SNA attorney and a social worker, both special needs parents, who have searched for group homes for their adult children. Readers are welcome to comment [...]
This post was authored by attorney Amy C. O’Hara, CELA of Littman Krooks, LLP, New York. Amy focuses her practice on special needs planning, elder law, trusts and estates, and personal injury settlement consulting. She serves on SNA’s Board of Directors. If the pandemic has been difficult for student learning, the situation has only been [...]
This post was authored by Margaret A. Graham, Esq., of Pregenzer, Baysinger, Wideman & Sale, PC, Albuquerque, New Mexico. She focuses her practice on special needs and elder law, and is caregiver to a child with special needs. Caregiving is hard work, even in normal times. During the pandemic, stress levels can soar. With kids doing schoolwork [...]
This post focuses on the importance of proactive retirement planning for those with a special needs dependent. Planning for retirement can be one of the most rewarding life changes parents go through. Thinking about leisure time, vacations, and a more relaxed pace of life brings feelings of excitement and anticipation. For parents with a special [...]
This post was authored by Roxanne J. Chang, Esq., Plymouth, Michigan. She brings years of direct care, clinical psychology and therapeutic program consulting to her special needs/elder law practice. She serves on SNA’s Board of Directors.
This post was authored by Linda M. Gorczynski, Esq., of Hickman & Lowder Co. LPA, Cleveland, Ohio. She focuses her practice on special education law.
This post was authored by Jennifer L. Lile, CELA, of Krugliak, Wilkins, Giffiths & Dougherty, L.P.A., Canton Ohio. She is president of the Special Needs Alliance (SNA) and focuses her practice on special needs planning, elder law, estate planning and probate law. Pew Research reports that Americans consider the upcoming election to be the most [...]
This post was authored by Mary Alice Jackson, Esq., of Boyer & Boyer, Sarasota, Florida. She is a Special Needs Alliance (SNA) board member and focuses her practice on special needs planning, elder law and estate planning. She is Board Certified in Elder Law by the Florida Bar.
Rebecca S. Kueny, Kueny Law LLC, Salem, Oregon, focuses her practice on elder law, special needs planning and trust administration. She is committed to helping individuals with special needs live as independently as possible.
Bruce D. Reinoso, Esq., is Senior Counsel in the Family Wealth and Estate Planning Department of Woods Oviatt, Gilman, LLP, of Buffalo and Rochester, New York. He concentrates his practice in the areas of trusts, estates, estate planning and elder law. Too often, families planning to create a third party special needs trust (SNT) think [...]