2020 Special Needs Trusts eConference

SNT Basics (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

Molly Abshire, Wright Abshire, Attorneys - Bellaire, TX

Pooled SNTs: Guidelines for Best Practices (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Maximizing Public Benefits (Basics) (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Emerging Trends in SNTs (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Letters of Intent for SNTs (Feb 2020)

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Public Benefits for Children (Feb 2020)

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

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Divorce and Disability / Child Support (Feb 2020)

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

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

A View from the HHSC (Feb 2020)

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

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Protecting and Maximizing Public Benefits (Advanced) (Feb 2020)

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

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

New POMs Clarification on the Fee Approval Requirements (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Nuts and Bolts of Preparing a Fee Petition for Social Security Representation (Feb 2020)

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.  

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Working with the Social Security Administration: Appeals, Overpayments and ISM Charges (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

Alison Packard, Packard Law Firm - San Antonio, TX

IRAs and SNTs (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Interplay of Guardians and Trustees In and Out of Court + Administering SNTs Established in Other States and Other SSA Regions (Case Studies) (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

SSA Regional Trust Leads Presentation Regarding SSI Trusts (Feb 2020)

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.

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Noncitizens and Public Benefits (Feb 2020)

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Quality of Life Tools: Bloom Where You Are Planted  (Mar 2020)

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

Leah Cohen, arrangeCARE - Austin, TX

Powers of Appointment in Special Needs Planning: Mystical Authority Made Magical! (Feb 2020)

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.  

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Home Sweet Home? (Feb 2020)

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

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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

Special Needs Trusts Ethics Jeopardy (Feb 2020)

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!

Originally presented: Feb 2020 Special Needs Trusts

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