Includes continental breakfast.

Take a look at special needs trusts and things to consider when selecting the appropriate option. Gain insight on the intersection of trusts with governmental benefits and delve into the types of special needs trust with case examples.

Molly Abshire, Wright Abshire, Attorneys - Bellaire, TX

Examine the best practices guidelines developed as part of a recent Life Passages Planning Project. Discuss the various guidelines, why those were included, and review examples of their application.

Stephen W. Dale, The Dale Law Firm, PC - Pacheco, CA
Rebecca C. Morgan, Stetson University College of Law - Gulfport, FL

Hear an overview of public benefits and Medicaid programs for clients, including "waiver" programs and how to use them to provide long-term care services for clients. Discuss practice tips for new practitioners.

Christina Lesher, The Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC - Houston, TX

Imagine that you are a parent of a 17-year-old child named Kathy who has been diagnosed with Autism, and expected to live until she is 87 years old. Discuss challenges that Kathy’s trustee would need to address if her parents passed away over the next 70 years including current and future laws and regulations, ABLE Accounts, support systems and government aid. Highlight current challenges in different Social Security Administration Regions across the nation, and how those trends could affect the Texas Special Needs Trust practitioners.

Stephen W. Dale, The Dale Law Firm, PC - Pacheco, CA

Included in registration.

Haley D. Greer, The Arc of Texas - Austin, TX

Review public benefits and Medicaid programs for children. Learn tips on navigating clients through the various programs and bypassing wait lists.

Christina Lesher, The Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC - Houston, TX

An overview of support issues in divorce cases involving children and spouses with disabilities and the use of SNTs to protect benefits.

Keith D. Maples, Noelke Maples St. Leger Bryant, LLP - Austin, TX

A discussion of current issues and trends from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

Shari L. Nichols, Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Austin, TX

Discuss recent changes in laws and policies affecting benefits. Hear the latest developments and strategies for protecting and maximizing benefits.

H. Clyde Farrell, Farrell & Johnson PLLC - Austin, TX

Learn more about POMS GN 03920.007 and the questions it raised, the legislative and administrative advocacy that followed its release, and what may happen now that it has been archived.

Stacy Braverman Cloyd, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives - Washington, DC
Constance R. Somers, Law Office Of Constance Somers - San Antonio, TX

After winning the case there are additional steps needed to finally get paid. Learn what is required in the client contract, how our first draft is prepared, terms to avoid, addressing the Judge’s concerns, getting clients assistance, where to send the completed fee petition, expected time needed for follow-up, and additional insight.  

John Driskill, Morgan & Weisbrod LLP - Dallas, TX
Tasha Dansby Roberts, Morgan & Weisbrod LLP - Dallas, TX

Join program faculty and attendees for drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Includes continental breakfast.

Gain a better understanding of the timeline and process of appeals, options for managing overpayments, and strategies to eliminate in-kind support and maintenance charges.

Alison Packard, Packard Law Firm - San Antonio, TX

Many parents’ IRAs and 401(k)s are a significant part of their estate, and they may want to leave it to their child with disabilities to provide for his or her future care. Explore various issues that arise when incorporating retirement benefits into special needs planning, including taxation and SSI/Medicaid disqualification. Whether the distribution is outright, over a period of years, or to a conduit or accumulation special needs trust, proper planning can maximize the benefit to the child with special needs.

Tresi Weeks, The Weeks Law Firm, PLLC - Plano, TX

Complexities abound with SNTs involving multiple decision makers and multiple states. Discuss creative solutions using ABLE accounts, automated distribution plans facilitated by True Link, experienced corporate trustees, and pooled trusts.

Moderator:
Renée C. Lovelace, The Lovelace Law Firm, P.C. - Austin, TX
Panelists:
Haley D. Greer, The Arc of Texas - Austin, TX
Nancy Sosa, Cadence Bank - Austin, TX
Peter J. Wall, True Link Financial - Denver, CO

A discussion with the Regional Trust Leads on the regional centralization of the SSI trust review business process, including 2019 POMS updates. In addition, hear about drafting errors, including case examples.

Amanda Flood, U.S. Social Security Administration - Dallas, TX
Dana Marquez, U.S. Social Security Administration - Dallas, TX

Terry Lynn Garrett, The Garrett Law Firm, PLLC - Austin, TX
Melanie Ibarra, The Garrett Law Firm, PLLC - Austin, TX

Included in registration.

Leah Cohen, arrangeCARE - Austin, TX

Define the role and use of powers of appointment in the context of public benefits, tax, and dispositive wishes so that problems can be solved rather than created.  

G. Mark Shalloway, Shalloway & Shalloway - West Palm Beach, FL

Hear common considerations and unusual issues surrounding the ownership and maintenance of a house for a trust beneficiary. 

Elisa Dillard Rainey, Rainey & Rainey, Attorneys at Law LP - Waco, TX
Nancy Sosa, Cadence Bank - Austin, TX

Cover various categories of ethical issues SNT attorneys, using the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, where the answers are in the form of questions. Get ready to volunteer to play Special Needs Trusts Ethics Jeopardy!

Mary Alice Jackson, Boyer & Boyer P.A. - Sarasota, FL
Rebecca C. Morgan, Stetson University College of Law - Gulfport, FL