Blog
New Guide for Avoiding Sibling Conflict When Caring for Aging Parents
Disagreements between siblings can create problems when planning care for aging parents. Opinions may differ about what type of care parents need. One sibling may feel that other siblings are not taking on their fair share of responsibilities. Some conflicts may stem...
Eight Ways to Help Your Child with Special Needs Succeed with Online Learning
This post was authored by Meredith Downing, manager of learning at Wonderschool. She started her career as a preschool teacher and enjoys designing learning experiences for children and the adults who care for them. The COVID-19 pandemic created a sudden shift to...
New Law Eliminates Disability Waiting Period for People With ALS
The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019, has eliminated the five-month waiting period before starting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for individuals with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a particularly devastating disease...
Medicaid Annuity Planning
When planning for Medicaid nursing home coverage, annuities can be a powerful tool to protect assets for couples where one spouse is either about to enter a nursing home, or is already in a nursing home and about to apply for Medicaid nursing home coverage. While the...
State Veterans Homes to Receive VA Grants
The VA recently announced that State Veterans Homes will be receiving an additional $1 billion in grants. The money for the grants comes from the passage of the American Rescue Plan of 2021 and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act for...
New Name and Website
Martha C. Brown & Associates recently changed its name to Mitchell, Brown & Associates. This name change does not mean any change in the firm’s focus on elder law and special needs. Mitchell, Brown & Associates will continue to serve clients in the areas...
Stimulus Payments, Benefits, and COVID-19 Funeral Costs
With a new round of stimulus payments arriving due to the 2021 American Rescue Plan, some individuals have concerns about how these payments may impact eligibility for need-based government benefits. The good news is that these payments are not considered income and...
Costs of Guardianship and Conservatorship
If a person becomes incapacitated and is unable to manage their own affairs, a guardianship and conservatorship may be necessary if the incapacitated person did not make other arrangements in the form of a power of attorney. However, the process of appointing a...
When to Establish a Special Needs Trust
A Special Needs Trust, also known as a Supplemental Needs Trust, is a type of trust that allows for a person with special needs to receive support while still maintaining eligibility for government benefits. One question parents, or other relatives, of special needs...
Pet Trusts
Thinking about what will happen to one’s pets can be a major concern for pet owners. The questions about what will happen to any pets involves both deciding who will take care of the pets and also how to pay for the expenses of pet ownership. To deal with these...
