Loud & Clear: Family Conversations is written by our member attorneys and guests for individuals with disabilities and their families. We tackle the day-to-day and long-range issues that affect the quality of life. Readers are welcome to comment on the discussion, though we can not answer legal questions here. For answers to specific legal questions, please find an attorney in our Directory.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Voices of Experience on Choosing a Group Home
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 [...]
Managing Virtual Learning for Students with Special Needs
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 [...]
The Pandemic Is Tough on Caregivers
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 [...]
How to plan for retirement when you have a child with special needs
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 [...]
Disability Community Represents 20% of Voters
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 [...]
Special Needs Trusts Do More than Protect Benefits
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 [...]
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Is June 15th
This post was written by Emma Hemness, CELA, founding owner of Hemness Faller Elder Law, located in the Tampa Bay area in Brandon, Florida. She limits her law practice to [...]
Mental Illness Is the Most Common Disability
This post was authored by Elena Lidrbauch, CELA, of Hickman & Lowder Co. LPA, Cleveland, Ohio. Her practice focuses on issues affecting persons with disabilities and older individuals, including special [...]
Nursing Home Visitation Guidelines Cause Concern
This post was authored by Kim Dayton, Esq., Professor Emerita at the William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota. Her areas of interest include disability rights, parenting an adult [...]
Isolation Tips for Families with Special Needs
This post was authored by Bryn Poland, Esq., of Mayo & Poland, PLLC, Baytown, Texas. She focuses her practice on special needs trust planning and administration, qualified settlement funds, and [...]
Taxes Can Get Complicated for Families with Special Needs
This post was authored by Robert F. Brogan, CELA of Archer Brogan. LLP with five offices in New Jersey. The firm focuses on the legal needs of seniors, those with disabilities, veterans, [...]
Self-Advocate’s Golden Gate Adventure
Angela at the Golden Gate Bridge, which has long fascinated her. Late last year, we wrote about Angela Campbell’s approaching dream-come-true trip to see the Golden Gate Bridge. [...]
Understanding the Role of Social Security Representative Payee
This post was authored by Linda Landry, a senior attorney with the Disability Law Center, of Boston and Northampton, Massachusetts. Her focus is Social Security, work incentives and related health benefits. She has over 30 years of experience in legal advocacy and received the Massachusetts Top Women of the Law Award in 2013.
Roundup: Monitoring Organizational Payees/ Moving a Guardianship/Special Education Attorneys
SNA attorneys have ongoing involvement with the wide-ranging issues faced by individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals who serve them. Here is a sampling from member blogs and newsletters…