Donald and Shirley engaged Hickman & Lowder to draft their estate plan with special needs considerations in the early 1990s. At that time, their daughter, Angela, who has a developmental disability, was living with them and receiving minimal benefits from the government. Donald and Shirley put a trust in place to provide for Angela after they both were gone. When…
We meet the lifetime legal needs of children and adults with disabilities, the elderly, and their families.
Adults With Disabilities
Another State Taxing a Trust
When it comes to the everyday life of an individual who has a developmental disability, life can present unexpected obstacles not only for the individual, but for family and friends, as well. The challenges are made easier through well-planned trusts which protect important government benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and ensure that when the parent passes…
An Invitation to Hear Haley Moss, JD – Practicing Attorney and First Openly Identified Person with Autism Practicing Law in Florida
I’m honored to be on the Board of Milestones Autism Resources, which is featuring Haley Moss, JD, as one of the keynote speakers for the Milestones National Autism Conference. Her address will be on June 12, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio. Haley, an incredible spokesperson for the legal field and for persons with autism, is an associate at the Zumpano Patricios…
Illegal Delay of 2016 Equity in IDEA Regulations
On March 7, 2019, the US District Court in Washington D.C. ruled that the current Department of Education had acted arbitrarily and capriciously in failing to implement Obama-era rules which are intended to address the disparities in the treatment of students of color with disabilities. A summary of the action was issued by the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys…
Raising Expectations
As part of my job, I attend a lot of conferences and presentations. One of the presentations I attended recently featured a whole myriad of people who had their opportunity to dazzle us at the podium. (Maybe “dazzle” is a lofty goal for a continuing education course. The goal was probably to keep us awake and not misspeak!) One of…
Disabled Voters are Enfranchised Voters
We are excited to share a short, 30-second video created to help empower voters with disabilities. It was produced for Ohioans with disabilities by All Voting is Local with help from Milestones Autism Resources. (I’m honored to be one of the Board Members of Milestones!) Although the deadline to register in Ohio has already passed, this information reminds us that…
Ohio Legislators Enhance Protections of Seniors and Adults With Disabilities
Laws protecting seniors and adults with disabilities in the state of Ohio will get a boost in September, when new rules that strengthen existing adult protective services statutes take effect. The new provisions cover a wide range of situations, and are expected to help an increasing number of vulnerable adults. Some highlights of note: The addition of 16 new professions…
Tougher FINRA Rules: A New Tool to Fight Financial Exploitation of Seniors and Adults with Disabilities
The Securities and Exchange Commission has just enhanced the protection for seniors and adults with disabilities who may be subject to financial abuse. Earlier this month, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), an independent regulator that protects investors and regulates financial brokers and dealers, released new rules intended to block unauthorized withdrawals and other disbursements from the accounts of vulnerable…
What’s Happening to Services in the DD System?
The past three years have seen developments which are leading to sweeping, radical changes to the system of services for persons with developmental disabilities (DD). Many families have become confused and anxious about these changes. While we cannot remove anxiety about how the system will evolve over the next few years, we can offer some clarity about why the changes…
SSI Mobile Wage Reporting App
The Social Security Administration now offers a free Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Mobile Wage Reporting Application. This convenient new tool allows recipients, their representative payee, or an individual whose income helps them meet their basic needs (like a parent or a spouse) to report wages using a smartphone. SSI is a needs-based program so the amount that recipients receive is…