By Martha C. Brown, CELA When someone is living with severe mental illness, the process of obtaining guardianship can be particularly complex. Symptoms may be intermittent, leading individuals to resist legally imposed assistance and making it difficult for a court to establish whether or not they are competent to care for themselves. The goal, of [...]
The Voice is the e-mail newsletter of The Special Needs Alliance. This installment was written by Special Needs Alliance member Hyman Darling, Esq., a partner in the Springfield, Massachusetts, firm of Bacon Wilson, P.C. Mr. Darling concentrates his practice in estate planning, elder law, probate, special needs and guardianships/conservatorships. Before joining Bacon Wilson, he was a trust officer for several years. A frequent speaker for civic and charitable organizations, he serves on the American Cancer Society National Professional Advisory Committee and the boards of several western Massachusetts nonprofit organizations for persons with disabilities. He serves on the board of directors and has served as Secretary of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
By Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. Regardless of the severity of an individual's cognitive impairment, that individual is presumed to be a competent adult at the age of 18. If the person will be unable to make important choices, the naming of one or more guardians should be considered. A guardian is a court appointee who [...]
The Special Needs Alliance has crafted a legislative solution to a significant problem facing disabled adult children.
INTRODUCING Logan Philipps. I tell people I am a developmental disability estate planning attorney. And then I give them my elevator speech. “I help people with disabilities and their families plan for the future. Individuals with special needs can’t inherit in the same way that typical individuals can. If they receive [...]
This issue of The Voice® was written by SNA member Victoria Sulerzyski of Bowie & Jenson, LLC in Towson, Maryland. Her firm serves all of Maryland and focuses on special needs planning, elder law, guardianship, and estate planning and administration. Special needs planners provide expert legal planning and advocacy to and on behalf of families [...]
The landscape of Medicaid coverage is shifting. Understand how potential Medicaid work requirements could affect healthcare access for people with disabilities.
This issue of The Voice® was written by SNA member Kristen M. Lewis of Harrison, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia. Her firm focuses on special needs, estate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship, and estate planning. A professional care manager may be the most valuable – yet least recognized – member of a family’s team of [...]
Planning for the future can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By taking the time carefully to plan now, you can ensure a smooth transition later.
This issue of The Voice® is written by SNA member Thomas Begley, CELA of Begley Law Group in Moorestown, New Jersey. His firm specializes in special needs planning, special needs trusts, guardianship, and estate planning. When a personal injury settlement is received, the first reaction for many people is, “Let’s use the money to fund [...]