THE VOICE

Is My Money Safe?

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member H. Amos Goodall, Jr., CELA, of State College, Pennsylvania. Mr. Goodall is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (by the National Elder Law Foundation), and has practiced law since 1976. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Goodall primarily works in special needs and elder law planning, business organization planning, and real estate and business litigation.

2021-09-29T10:03:14-04:00
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Alliance Praises Passage of ADA Amendments Act

On September 11, 2008, the U.S. Congress passed the ADA Amendments Act and sent it to President Bush for his signature. The Act boldly reaffirms the U.S. commitment to ending discrimination against individuals with disabilities. President George W. Bush is expected to sign the Amendments to the Americans With Disabilities Act, which was originally signed [...]

2021-07-21T11:22:49-04:00
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Realistically Assessing an Exceptional Child’s Future

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment is a very moving, personal and true story from Special Needs Alliance member Barbara Isenhour, Esq. of Seattle, Washington. She has practiced law for over 33 years, focusing on the legal issues facing the elderly and disabled persons of all ages. Barbara was selected as one of the city's best attorneys in Seattle Magazine for three years and has been selected as a "Super Lawyer" in Law and Politics Magazine for the past five years.

2024-03-12T11:17:25-04:00Tags: , |
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Planning Your Estate: When a “Simple Will” Won’t Suffice

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member Hyman Darling, Esq. of Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Darling is a shareholder in the law firm of Bacon & Wilson, P.C.His practice is primarily focused on estate planning, particularly planning for families including a member with a disability. Mr. Darling also lectures and writes on estate planning topics extensively, and is very active in his local community. He is certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney.

2022-11-03T14:53:38-04:00Tags: |
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Remembering Harriet McBryde Johnson

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. Rather than our usual newsletter format (including tips, answers to reader's questions and explanations for special needs practitioners and families), this issue is a short memorial from the President of the Alliance to recognize the passing of a singular individual who advocated for all persons with disabilities. In fact, as President Andrew H. Hook, CELA notes, her advocacy transcended barriers originating from "disability" labels.

2021-01-08T12:38:02-05:00
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What to Pay Before Funding a Special Needs Trust

This issue of The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance, was written by SNA member Roger Bernstein of Coral Gables, Florida. Mr. Bernstein and his wife, Margrit, focus their practice on planning for personal injury settlements and for aging, illness, and incapacity.

2021-07-21T10:47:58-04:00
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Economic Stimulus Payments and TV Converter Box Coupons

This issue of The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance, was written by SNA member Raymon B. Harvey, Esq., an AV-rated sole practitioner in Little Rock, Arkansas. You can read more about Mr. Harvey, and his practice, at his office's website, which provides additional information about Special Needs Trusts and related issues such as Guardianship and Conservatorship, Medicaid eligibility, and other topics of concern to those with disabilities and their caretaker families.

2021-09-29T10:28:54-04:00
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Our Readers’ (That Is, Your) Questions

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member William King Self, Jr., CELA, of Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Self is a Certified Elder Law Attorney, recognized by both the National Elder Law Foundation and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. He is of counsel to the Memphis law firm of Apperson, Crump & Maxwell, and both he and the firm are rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, the oldest and most significant lawyer rating service. A Tennessee reader of The Voice wrote to ask a series of questions about special needs planning, and Mr. Self has graciously undertaken to provide some answers -- and assistance.

2022-11-25T10:18:12-05:00
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An Introduction to "In-Kind Support and Maintenance"

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member Raymon B. Harvey, Esq., who is an AV-rated sole practitioner in Little Rock, Arkansas. You can read more about Mr. Harvey, and his practice, at his office's website, which provides additional information about Special Needs Trusts and related issues such as Guardianship and Conservatorship, Medicaid eligibility, and other topics of concern to those with disabilities and their caretaker families.

2023-08-14T10:54:24-04:00Tags: |
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Income Tax Benefits for Families With Special Needs Children

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member Robert B. Fleming, CELA, of Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Fleming is a partner in the law firm of Fleming & Curti, PLC. In addition to his membership in the Special Needs Alliance, Mr. Fleming is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He writes and lectures widely on special needs and elder law issues, including taxation of special needs trusts.

2023-08-14T11:10:17-04:00Tags: |
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Moving a Special Needs Trust to a New State

You are reading The Voice, the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member Bridget O’Brien Swartz, CELA. Ms. Swartz is with the Law Office of Bridget O'Brien Swartz, PLLC, in Phoenix, Arizona. Her practice focuses on public benefits and special needs planning for individuals who are disabled. She is a member of the Special Needs Alliance's Board of Directors. Ms. Swartz is certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a specialist in Estate and Trust Law, and she is also certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney.

2024-04-16T12:04:30-04:00Tags: |
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What Can a Special Needs Trust Pay For?

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2024-04-16T12:05:04-04:00Tags: |
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Structuring a Personal Injury Settlement

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2021-07-21T10:54:36-04:00
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Beware of UTMA Accounts

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2024-03-12T10:54:18-04:00
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Fixing a Flawed Special Needs Estate Plan

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2022-11-03T14:53:46-04:00Tags: |
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Questions About Setting Up a Special Needs Trust

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2022-11-03T14:46:55-04:00Tags: |
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Third Party Special Needs Trusts

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2022-11-03T14:46:06-04:00Tags: |
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Managing Care: A Looming Perfect Storm

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2023-08-14T11:10:28-04:00Tags: |
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International Attention Focused on Disabilities

You are reading The Voice, a newsletter published by The Special Needs Alliance. Our purpose is to provide information--and answers--about special needs planning for family members and professionals. We hope this newsletter helps you. We would love to hear your questions, suggestions and comments; please feel free to e-mail us. We also encourage you to forward our newsletter to others who might benefit from the information here, or who might have similar questions.

2021-04-12T06:31:10-04:00
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