Special needs attorneys are well positioned to advise trustees, personal injury attorneys, structured settlement brokers and estate planners on the intricacies of disability and public benefits law. These are evolving areas of practice, and professionals who are unfamiliar with them risk liability for inadequately addressing client needs. Trustees Administering a special needs trust (SNT) involves [...]
(From left) Members Brad Frigon, Amy Tripp and Kelly Thompson at the SNA booth. SNA board member Brian Rubin spoke "Parent-to-Parent, Heart-to-Heart" to a packed room last month at The Arc's 60th Annual Convention in Denver. His presentation on special needs legal and future planning drew from both personal and professional experience to answer questions [...]
Advocacy Groups and Service Providers ABLE National Resource Center The Special Needs Alliance and ABLE National Resource Center collaborate on efforts to educate individuals with disabilities, their families and other stakeholders on how ABLE accounts and special needs trusts (SNTs) can contribute to improved quality of life. Accredited Online Colleges Guide for Online Colleges [...]
Life Care Planning What is early intervention? In 1986, as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Congress established Early Intervention (EI). EI provides a broad array of services for children under three years of age, intended to facilitate their physical, cognitive, emotional and social development. IDEA requires that children suspected of having [...]
Welcome to the SNA Capitol Connection! The SNA is dedicated to promoting responsible public policies that meet the many needs of individuals with disabilities, and this newsletter is designed to give our readers a snapshot of these important issues. June 2013 Seven years ago, the SNA's Public Policy Committee was created to assist the organization's [...]
Articles by Special Needs Alliance Members What the Federal Tax Overhaul Means for Families with Special NeedsJames M. McCarten, Esq., Parenting Special Needs, January/February 2019 Considerations Selecting a Family TrusteeTara Anne Pleat, Esq., September 11, 2018 Obstacles Remain to Exercise of Voting Rights by Individuals with DisabilitiesEmily A. Donaldson, CELA, August 12, 2018 How to [...]
SNA Practice Areas and Services Special Needs Trusts and Wills SNA member attorneys are experienced drafters of special needs trusts (SNTs) and wills for individuals with special needs. Their understanding of this discipline will help to provide long-term financial security and a responsible disbursement of assets through the drafting of wills. Medicaid, SSI and [...]
About the Special Needs Alliance The Special Needs Alliance (SNA) is a national organization comprised of attorneys committed to the practice of disability and public benefits law. Individuals with disabilities, their families and their advisors rely on the SNA to connect them with nearby attorneys who focus their practices in the disability law arena. The [...]
The Special Needs Alliance is a national organization comprised of attorneys committed to helping individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals who serve them. Many of our members have loved ones with special needs; all of them work regularly with public benefits, guardianships/conservatorships, planning for disabilities and special education issues. They collaborate with advocates [...]
The Voice is the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member Amy C. O`Hara, CELA and her co-author, Sheryl Frishman. Amy and Sheryl are attorneys with the New York law firm Littman Krooks LLP, specializing in special needs planning, trust administration, guardianships, elder law, and estate planning and administration. Amy is an active participant of the Special Needs Alliance publications committee and is a member of the New York State Bar Association. Sheryl's practice is devoted entirely to the advocacy and life planning needs of children and adults with disabilities and their families. She is immediate past President of the Board of Directors of Westchester Arc. Sheryl also serves on the Board of Governors and Legal Committee of NYSARC Inc.