Special Needs Planning in Divorce: Preserving Disability Benefits
Special Needs Trusts, Child Support and Alimony Considerations in Settlement Agreements and Parenting Plans
Recording of a 90-minute CLE webinar/teleconference with Q&A
Conducted on Thursday, January 5, 2012
Recorded event now available
This CLE webinar will prepare family law attorneys with approaches to preserve disability benefits in divorces involving special needs children or spouses. The panel will identify and explain the complex issues, including alimony, child support, SSI, Medical Assistance (MA), and supplemental and special needs trusts.
Description
The divorce rate is estimated at 80% in marriages in which there is a spouse or child with special needs, so preserving disability benefits is essential and requires careful planning. Counsel must understand and address complex issues in negotiating and drafting settlement agreements and parenting plans.
A properly structured special needs trust can preserve the rights to alimony or child support as well as eligibility for SSI/Medicaid benefits. Counsel must consider medical and financial needs, education and living arrangements, and decision-making requirements for the person with special needs.
Listen as our authoritative panel of family law experts outlines approaches for counsel to identify and resolve the complex issues that arise when either a child of divorcing parents or a divorcing spouse has special needs.
Outline
- Issues specific to divorce with special needs child or spouse
- Ways to structure alimony and/or child support considering SSI, MA and Medicaid issues
- Special needs and supplemental trusts
- Structuring the settlement agreement and parenting plan
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key questions:
- What are the specific considerations in divorces involving a spouse or child with special needs that must be addressed when drafting a settlement agreement or parenting plan?
- What approaches are available to counsel when structuring alimony and/or child support considering SSI, MA and Medicaid issues?
- What are some best practices for properly structuring special needs trusts to preserve the rights to alimony or child support and eligibility for SSI/Medicaid benefits?
Faculty
Judith L. Poller,
Partner
Pryor Cashman, New York
Her practice is focused on matrimonial and family law matters. She is a published author and a frequent speaker at family law seminars. She has written on divorce and the special needs child. She is a fellow in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and has been quoted as a family law expert by numerous media outlets.
Frederick M. Misilo, Jr.,
Special Needs & Elder Law Practice Group Chair
Fletcher Tilton, Worcester, Mass.
His practice includes elder law, special needs planning, estate planning, estate and trust administration, guardianship, and DDS advocacy. He is a frequent lecturer on estate planning, special needs planning and elder law. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners.
Marisa W. Higgins,
Officer
Fletcher Tilton, Worcester, Mass.
She concentrates her practice in all areas of domestic relations law, including divorce, custody, child support and spousal support. She was a recipient of the Worcester Business Journal’s 40 Under Forty award. She is a speaker at many family law programs and is a frequent participant in the Probate & Family Court Lawyer for the Day Program.
Ordering
Online CLE - Audio Recording
Includes audio streaming of full program plus handouts (available 24 hours after live seminar).
CLE:
Pre-approved for participatory or non-traditional/alternate format credit in: CA, HI*, NY*, WV*.
Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, MO, MT, TX*, UT, VT, WA.
Upon request, also available in: CO, CT*, FL, GA, ID, KY, LA*, ME, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR*, SC, TN, WI, WY. If you are applying for credit in one of these states, make sure to select those states when placing your order.
(*Indicates that Strafford must report attendance.)
Online CLE Audio $127.00
Available 24 hours after the live event
Recorded Event
Includes full event recording plus handouts (available after live seminar).
CLE: Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, CA, CT, HI, MO, MT, NY, TX*, UT, VT, WA, WV. Upon request, self-study credit is also available in: CO, FL, GA, ID, KY, ME, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR, WI, WY. If you are applying for self-study credit in one of these states, contact Strafford CLE at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 35 or CLE@straffordpub.com. (*Indicates that Strafford needs to process the CLE — see below to purchase this option.)
Webinar Download (Slide Presentation with Audio) $127.00
Available three business days after the live event
DVD (Slide Presentation with Audio) $127.00
plus $9.45 S&H
Available ten business days after the live event
MP3 Download (Audio with Slide PDFs) $127.00
Available 24 hours after the live event
CD (Audio with Slide PDFs) $127.00
plus $9.45 S&H
Available ten business days after the live event
Webinar/Teleconference
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Program Materials
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Program Materials
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CLE Credit
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Customer Reviews
I like the convenience of a webinar since I don't have to travel anywhere.
Robin A. Clark
Clark & Glass, LLP
The CLE was very practical and to the point for a family law practitioner. There was no time wasted.
Bruce Clement
Clement Law Center
The seminar explored the subject matter from many angles and was extremely helpful in my family law practice.
Cindy Allen
Cindy Allen & Associates, PLLC
The CLE covered exactly what was advertised and it was geared to a person with my practice background and level of expertise.
Aliza Organick
Washburn University School of Law
I liked the practical examples raised both by the speakers and those with questions; it allowed for an enhanced understanding of issues I have not yet seen in a bankruptcy/family law context.
Noah Bishop
Gresham Family and Bankruptcy Law
Family Law Advisory Board
Partner
Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby
Paula G. Kirby
Partner
Walzer & Melcher
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