Creating a Legal Plan for Your Child’s Future
Published on SpecialNeeds.com There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach that parents of a child diagnosed within the “autism spectrum” should take as the child approaches their eighteenth birthday. The abilities and the needs of each child are unique and should be evaluated to create the best legal plan tailored for that child’s future. When…
Florida Attorney to Discuss LGBT Aging Issues at National NAELA Conference in Atlanta
Stephanie L. Schneider a Florida Board Certified Elder Law Attorney will speak at the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) annual conference on May 4, 2013 about LGBT aging issues. Ms. Schneider will collaborate with Oregon attorney Cynthia Barrett about “Preparing to Serve LGBT Clients When DOMA is Repealed”. The goal of this presentation…
Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Not Rely On a Facility to Qualify Your Loved One for Medicaid
Don’t be assured that a facility where you are placing your loved one can qualify him/her for Medicaid. We understand that during these economic times everyone is more cautious about spending money. However, remember the old adage “You Get What You Pay For?” Here is how our expert counsel can guide you through long term-care planning to Medicaid approval:…
Is a child responsible for payment of a parent’s medical bills?
Tale: John Smith’s 88-year old Mother suffered a stroke and became paralyzed on one half of her body. The family was unable to care for her at home and decided that she would receive the best care in a skilled nursing facility. John was given a Durable Power of Attorney by his Mother prior to…
Lessons Learned: Medical Advance Directives Following a Divorce
When people get divorced, they often think about rewriting their Last Will & Testament to remove their former spouse as a beneficiary. There are actually more issues than that which need to be addressed timely. If you are newly divorced, you should have a: 1. Written medical advance directive designating an advocate to make medical decisions 2. Designation of guardian…
Do You Have Special Needs Trust Tunnel Vision?
The use of a special needs trust (SNT) as a planning tool to preserve settlement proceeds and maintain government benefits eligibility should not be presumed appropriate for every client. For many years there have been articles and advertising focusing on the benefits of special needs trusts. Special Needs Trusts are, in fact, a gift given to us…
Have You Checked Your Beneficiary Designations Since Your Divorce?
Effective July 1, 2012, a new Florida law takes affect concerning beneficiary designations on employee benefit plans. Under current law, when a divorced individual dies if their Last Will & Testament designates their former spouse as a beneficiary that provision is void. Even if a divorced individual dies without changing their Will the former spouse is treated as…
When Your 18-Year Old is NOT Your “Child”
Are you awaiting responses from colleges to your son or daughter’s applications? Hearing about Prom and planning graduation parties? What a great time for your child and you! You have done an awesome job raising your children and preparing them for what lies ahead. But, do you realize that on your child’s 18th birthday you can no…
How Traumatically Brain Injured Clients Could Have Avoided Guardianship
Hindsight is twenty-twenty and it is always easier to assess what should have been done after the fact. Consider some very simple yet powerful planning tips for your and your friends’ young adult children. Tale: A.B. was nineteen (19) years old when he was hit by a police vehicle during a police chase. A.B. suffered traumatic…
Don’t Be The Shoemaker Whose Children Are The Last To Wear Shoes!
No matter how great your professional success, you and your family are doomed to be the subject of an expensive and time-consuming guardianship proceeding in the future if you do not have a plan. So… How many of you have a legal plan to manage your financial and medical affairs in the event of incapacity…
