529s and ABLE Accounts Get a Major Boost 

Age of disability for ABLE accounts will increase from 26 to 46.  Unused 529 accounts can be rolled into a Roth IRA.  Q. I have two children. One is an adult child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and another is a lot … [Read more...]

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Is the Term “Special Needs” Going Out of Style? Rethinking the Terminology in Light of the Law

Q. I have three children — two on the autism spectrum and one with Down syndrome, who we adopted. One of my children with ASD is a young adult, and the other is a teenager. My friend, Cathy, also has an adult child on the autism … [Read more...]

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How Can ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts Work Together?

Q. Our son, Joey, has Down’s Syndrome. We decided it was a good idea to plan in advance for him for when we can no longer care for him ourselves. We have been researching our options and found information on Special Needs Trusts … [Read more...]

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Taxation of Special Needs Trusts

This article was written by Special Needs Alliance member Tara Pleat. Tara is a founding partner of the law firm of Wilcenski & Pleat PLLC in Clifton Park, New York. She practices in the areas of Special Needs Planning, Elder … [Read more...]

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Living with Fewer Rights than a Convicted Felon

Q. My 30-year-old cousin, Donnie, is intellectually disabled. He works at the Wendy's near my house, serving burgers and greeting customers with a smile. He has a bank account, saves most of the money he earns, makes a mean chili, … [Read more...]

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A New Act to Help Special Needs Families

  Q. My 9-year-old daughter, Noelle, is intellectually disabled. The costs for her therapy and assistive technology are quite high, and we are in the process of applying for government assistance (SSI). Despite our struggles … [Read more...]

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Financial Security for a Special Needs Child

Q. Our 11-year-old son, Nathan, has autism and will likely need care for the rest of his life. This has put quite an emotional and financial strain on my husband and me. My parents, who are wealthy, are willing to help, but we've … [Read more...]

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Guardianship Revisited: a Serial 911-Caller and a Bigamist

A “guardian” of an adult is a person appointed by the court who is responsible for the personal affairs of an incapacitated adult, including responsibility for making decisions regarding the adult’s support, care, health, safety, … [Read more...]

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Elder Law–It’s Not Just for Elders

Elder Law is a very broad area of law that encompasses not just Medicaid and Veterans long-term care planning for people over 65.  Elder Law also encompasses legal areas such as:  Asset Protection, Trust and Estate Planning, and … [Read more...]

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Planning for a Special Needs Child

More than 20 million American families are raising a child with special needs and the number continues to increase. More than $13 billion a year is spent to care for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special … [Read more...]

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