Blog: Media

Published in NAELA Journal By Stephanie L. Schneider, CELA, and Lara Pietrzak On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its written opinion on United States v. Windsor and held that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. While the ruling creates entitlement of same-sex married couples to receive federal…

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…

Advance Estate & Long Term Care Planning for Domestic Partners & Same Sex Couples It is human nature to avoid issues of illness, death and mortality. Yet, procrastination can result in fewer options or less desirable options for resolving those issues. The laws in Florida as well as the United States generally do not provide…

Published in Florida Assisted Living Coalition News (FALC) A gift of cash from family, or anyone else could end up costing seniors and families with special needs thousands of dollars in government benefits and services. Government benefits programs do not allow people to have more than $2,000 in their name. Here are a few tips: Do…

Published in Families of Loved Ones (FOLO magazine) By Stephanie L. Schneider Health care professionals and elder law attorneys provide information to caregivers and people with disabilities regarding long term care planning, options and advance directives. It is important to communicate and understand different cultural beliefs and practices in the medical decision-making process for all parties…

Published in Florida Justice Association Journal We await the decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Ahlborn v. Arkansas Dept. of Human Services, 397 F.3d 620 (8th Cir 2005). Court Stats: September 27, 2005: Certiorari was granted. February 9, 2005: The US Court of Appeals ruled that a state’s right to…

Published in American Bar Association By Stephanie L. Schneider, Esquire The increasing growth rate of our elderly population in the United States is causing the legal profession to take a long hard look at the everyday problems people face as they age, become incapacitated or disabled, and to create practical working solutions for our clients, their…

Published in Florida Justice Association Journal People tend to avoid dealing with issues of illness, death and mortality. The laws in Florida as well as the United States generally do not provide your clients who may be same sex and heterosexual partners with the same rights as married couples. Therefore, it is even more important…

Published in South Florida Hospital News Many of us in the healthcare industry and legal profession have a variety of reactions and personal opinions on the medical and legal issues Terry Schiavo and her family have encountered. Notwithstanding, I believe there are common lessons we can take from it that if implemented would increase the…

[on behalf of the Academy’s Women’s Caucus Section] Published in Florida Justice Association Journal As an elder law attorney I have had the privilege of working with many talented trial lawyers who achieve settlements for permanently disabled individuals. These experiences have taught me that trial lawyers and elder law attorneys can benefit their clients and…