Avoiding Issues Gone Wrong in Estate Planning, Part Two

A blog series from the planning team at Disability Planning Partners, Inc. Sally hired a lawyer to draft her Will giving her assets to her daughters, Sue and Sheila, but her largest assets passes to Sally’s brother when she dies. What?! Sally’s...

Avoiding Issues Gone Wrong in Estate Planning, Part One

A blog series from the planning team at Disability Planning Partners, Inc. “Oh no, why can’t I use the Power of Attorney to get the Will out of the safety deposit box?” A Power of Attorney document is an incapacity planning document which gives...

State Budget Seeks to Close Housing Gap for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism

Families served by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) are accustomed to holding their breath on the eve of State budget proposals. Over the years, the State budget has resulted in drastic cuts to DDS services, most...

Why Use a Revocable Living Trust?

Why Use a Revocable Living Trust? You may have heard from friends or relatives that they have a revocable living trust as part of their estate plan. But you thought all you needed was a Will, right? In this week’s blog, we discuss revocable...

Great News for Special Needs Trusts: Life Made Easier

Special Needs Trusts: Life Made Easier As a Trustee of Special Needs Trusts for multiple beneficiaries, I am pleased to hear that the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) has made life easier for managing Special Needs Trusts. In recent months,...

Medicaid Planning: Enlarging the Fine Print

Family Medicaid Planning I was recently invited to speak about Medicaid planning for married couples. After the presentation, one audience member expressed, with a sense of relief, “I understand!—it’s as if you took the fine print and enlarged it...

All About ABLE Accounts: The Who, What, Where & Why

What You Should Know About ABLE Accounts Many individuals with disabilities have heard of ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts, but few know the answers to all the “w” questions: Who can open an ABLE account; What is an ABLE...

In Memory of Their Service

In Memory of Their Service I think we can all agree that military service is something to be honored. Every spring, our local cemeteries are peppered with tiny red, white, and blue flags marking the final resting place of souls who once served...

Traps to Avoid in Leaving Your Vehicle to a Beneficiary

(…While Staying Out of Probate) Traps to Avoid in Leaving Your Vehicle to a Beneficiary When a loved one passes away, a family’s emotional burden is compounded by the practical stresses of managing their loved one’s final affairs. In developing...

Looking to Save with Medicaid? Amazon Prime Membership Offers Help

Amazon Prime Membership Offers Help with Medicaid Amazon has quickly found a foothold in today’s technology driven marketplace. As part of their mission to become the world’s most customer-centric company, Amazon now offers a discount on Amazon...

Caring for LGBTQ Elders – Connecticut Commits To “Getting it Right”

Caring for LGBTQ Elders – Connecticut Commits To “Getting it Right” Last year, I viewed a short documentary, “Gen Silent,” which poignantly portrayed the fears and challenges that aging LGBTQ people face in obtaining home care support in the...

Disability, Conflict and Adaptive Thinking

Disability, Conflict and Adaptive Thinking In 1946, a group of WWII veterans with disabilities at the University of Illinois followed the lead of a man named Tim Nugent, adapting sports like basketball to be played from a wheelchair. The commonly...