10-Part Webinar Series

The special needs law practice is unique. It often involves individuals with a health or mental condition requiring special care, attention and protection because the client may have a memory, mobility or other disabling impairment, chronic condition or other illness. While special needs law include traditional estate planning, many times the focus of a special needs representation is the "life needs" of the person whose interests are being promoted in the legal representation. The holistic approach requires the attorney, when appropriate, to address these and other issues in the legal representation. An attorney who practices holistically however still follows the client's wishes and discusses with the client the multitude of ways to accomplish the client’s wishes. Additionally, the attorney recognizes that the client may not be knowledgeable in the variety of issues the client is facing or will be facing as they age. Therefore, the attorney is prepared to address with the client issues the client may not even be aware of that are related to the representation. Read Less

Being part of the community and living as independently as possible are among the most important values and goals shared by people with disabilities, their families, and advocates. A home of one’s own – either rented or owned – is the cornerstone of independence for people with disabilities. However, across the U.S. people with disabilities face a severe housing crisis. This program will provide an overview of housing options for persons with disabilities and how advocates can assist in the search for housing. Read Less

This program will provide an overview of education, postsecondary and vocational requirements and opportunities for youth and young adults with disabilities. Federal law defines special education as specifically designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, designed to meet the unique needs of a child with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) guarantees a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all children and youth who are eligible for and receive special education up to age 21 years. The Higher Education Opportunity Act adds additional opportunities and programs for students with disabilities.

An increasingly important part of IDEA is access to vocational training and transition planning to provide students with opportunities that prepare them for their future careers. New opportunities for services, training and financial support are developing as competitive and integrated employment continues to grow across the country.

The presenter is the parent of a young adult with Down Syndrome and has been instrumental in the development of inclusive higher education in Tennessee and nationally. She also holds a leadership position at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, one of the nation’s leading research institutions in intellectual and developmental disabilities. She will share important resources that individuals, families, attorneys, and financial planners can use to stay abreast of the ever-changing world of disability programs and services.

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Professionals who advise on special needs planning play a critical role in encouraging supported decision-making and promoting self-determination for persons with disabilities. If a family seeks to obtain guardianship/conservatorship over a relative with a disability, professionals can guide them to think first about what decision-making supports could be used to help the person making his or her own decisions. Even if guardianship/conservatorship is deemed necessary, their advisors can work with the families to limit it and to incorporate supported decision-making principles. While a qualified financial planner and an estate planning attorney are essential team members, they need to integrate others such as housing specialists, tax accountants, professional advocates and social workers to complete the team. This program will clarify the roles of the various support team members and discuss best practices for implementing them. Read Less

ABLE accounts have been gaining popularity. This program will review existing state programs, discuss issues that planners should consider in evaluating programs, and offer planning strategies in using these accounts. Our speaker will use case studies to illustrate the many valuable uses of ABLE accounts. Clients want to know about them, and professionals need to understand them. You will learn the latest developments and creative planning strategies that have been used to better serve persons with disabilities. You will also be better equipped to review and evaluate ABLE programs and the optimal ways to implement them with your clients. Read Less

This seminar will cover the different strategies available to the professional when planning for a person with a disability. While special needs trusts are a primary planning tool, the professional has other options available to them including ABLE accounts, spend downs, purchase of exempt assets. Moreover, there can be unique planning issues if planning for a spouse or a family that includes multiple children with special needs. There can also be planning challenges for certain assets such as retirement accounts. This program will provide an overview of these various planning issues and some suggestions on how to properly address them. Read Less

One of the primary planning tool of special needs planners is the special needs trust (SNT). Not all SNTs are alike, though. Different types of SNTs should be used depending on the circumstances, including third party SNTs, first or (d)(4)(A) SNTs, and both third and first party pooled SNTs. This seminar will provide an overview of SNTs, a review the different types of SNTs and their legal requirements, and an overview of their strengths and weaknesses. The attendee will understand the basics of the different types of SNTs and how they are used to enhance the quality of life of a person with a disability. Read Less

Are you familiar with some of the different government benefits available to individuals with disabilities? This webinar will explore some of the valuable government benefit programs available to families with special needs. We will discuss Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Children’s Disability Benefit (CDB), Survivor Benefits and Medicare. Eligibility requirements are quite different and it is imperative that the individual and/or special needs planner be able to understand the differences. This webinar will outline some of the major differences between the programs and summarize the services provided. We will also briefly discuss the availability of federal employee and veteran benefits for persons with disabilities and dependents with disabilities. A quality of life is very much integrated with the resources, financial instruments and assets that we have. Read Less

This seminar will review what benefits Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid provide. The requirements for qualifying for these programs, the challenges in obtaining these benefits, and the requirements for maintaining eligibility for these benefits. Read Less

This seminar will provide an overview of the myriad issues faced by families with loved ones with special needs and how special needs planners address those issues. We will cover such topics as using people-first language and other communication tips. Provide a brief introduction to all the topics to be covered in the program. Read Less