Insights
Building a Supportive, Online Community: Introducing a New Circle of Care
The Start of the Circle of Care Special Needs Online Community In July 2020, Attorney Annette Hines and Special Needs...
Can I Buy a House with My ABLE Account Money?
Saving for homeownership as a person with a disability can be challenging. Many disabled individuals receive benefits, such...
Special Needs Planning: Future Care Considerations
Planning for family members with special needs addresses present and future needs, including planning for the disabled...
How Is Pennsylvania Improving Guardianships?
At a joint committee hearing, experts spoke about a Pennsylvania state bill that aims to strengthen guardianship laws,...
What are the Responsibilities of a Trustee?
Before accepting the role of a trustee, it is important to have a thorough understanding of what you will need to do and...
When Retirement Feels Like Independence Day
After decades devoted to work, you’re ready to retire and celebrate your own personal Independence Day. Your plans this...
What Legal Documents Does Every Senior Need?
Legal documents pertaining to health care, end-of-life treatments and allowing others to access medical records are vital...
How Grandfathers and Senior Dads Leave a Legacy of Caring for Their Families
Congratulations, Dad. You’ve raised your children, who now have children of their own. Despite all the obstacles of recent...
What Kinds of Powers of Attorney Are There?
A power of attorney grants someone (the “agent”) authority to act on behalf of another party (the “principal”).
How Do Special Needs Trusts Work?
Parents with children who have special needs know they play a pivotal role in their child’s medical, social, emotional and...
Caring for Your Aging Mom When Nearing Retirement
Mom’s aging.  And the faithful caregiver who has been there for you throughout your life may now be starting to show signs...
Why Should You Check Beneficiary Designations if You Have an Estate Plan?
Some kinds of assets, like life insurance, retirement plans, and non-retirement annuity contracts, have death beneficiary...
What Legal Documents are Needed in a Special Needs Estate Plan?
If you plan to give away property or assets, or protect a loved one with special needs after you pass away, you’ll need to...
National Healthcare Decisions Day
National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16. Sponsor of The Conversation Project, The Institute for Healthcare...
Estate Planning for Your Digital Legacy
One aspect of your Framingham estate plan that you may not yet have taken into consideration is your digital legacy....
Factors to Consider when Picking Executor, Trustees and POAs
Having your estate planning documents created with an experienced special needs professional is important, as is naming the...
How Trustees of Special Needs Trusts Are Compensated
Serving as a trustee of a special needs trust can be a time-consuming and complicated job, which is why trustees are almost...
Who Should I Name as a Co-Trustee?
If you’ve already created a revocable trust, congratulations—that means you’ve taken steps to protect the people important...
Supported Decision-Making as an Alternative to Guardianship
For some people with disabilities, a guardianship or conservatorship would be overly restrictive. Supported decision-making...
No Will? You’re Putting Your Kids at Risk
Many people delay the conversation or thoughts of having to prepare a will. Confronting the possibility of one’s death is...
Special Needs Awareness Month Free Webinar Series
October is Special Needs Awareness Month! To celebrate, Annette Hines hosted four webinars on important topics related to...
Will Making a Gift Conflict with Medicaid?
People usually make gifts for three reasons—because they enjoy giving gifts, because they want to protect assets, or...
What Can Happen When You are Asked to Sign a Nursing Home Agreement?
The services provided by a skilled nursing facility are very important. They are also very expensive. The person who...
Celebrating 10 Years of Service
At Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, we're celebrating 10 years of service in the disability community as a law...
Financial Crimes Against the Elderly and Disabled Are Escalating
In August, it was discovered that nearly $1 million in SNAP benefits and $250,000 in DTA (Department of Transitional...
Estate Planning for Special Needs Children
Part of providing comprehensive estate planning for families includes being prepared to address the needs of family members...
PDA, have you heard of it? It is not what you are thinking
Guest Article By Diane Gould, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Certified Behavior Analyst Have you ever met a...
Happy Father’s Day from a Survivor
Happy Father’s Day from a Survivor Father’s Day should be the positive of days for dads throughout the year. Better than...
Using ABLE Accounts & Special Needs Trusts Together
If you have a child with disabilities, it is crucial to set money aside for the child’s future. At the same time, you need...
SSI Recipients Now Have A Longer Appeal Window
People facing a reduction, suspension, or other change to their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) now have more time to...
Often Food Insecure, Disabled People Have Difficulty Getting Assistance
People with disabilities face a double whammy when it comes to food insecurity: They are disproportionately more likely to...
What Are a Special Needs Trustee’s Record-Keeping Duties?
One of the most important roles in a special needs plan is that of trustee, the person who administers a special needs...
Grieving The Loss Of A Child During The Holidays
As another holiday season approaches, I am so mindful of my grief and the grief of other parents whose child will not be...
Lawsuit Claims Closing of SSA Field Offices Disrupted SSI Benefits
Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) might describe it as an open-and-shut...
2022 Social Security Disability Recipients to See Biggest Increase Since 1983
The year was 1983: The U.S. invaded Granada. A gallon of gas cost 96 cents. Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" video premiered....
New and Improved Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Unique tax benefits are available to families who have children with special needs. And thanks to recent changes in the tax...
New CDC Materials Teach COVID-19 Safety Protocols to People with IDD
Communication is one of the most important tools for containing the spread of COVID-19. As the highly transmissible Delta...
Senate Hearing on SSI Program That Traps Millions in Poverty
At a September 21 hearing on “Policy Options for Improving SSI,” a Senate subcommittee heard sometimes searing testimony...
The Perils and Pitfalls of Do-It-Yourself Special Needs Planning
Among the costs of caring for a dependent with special needs are the fees for professional advice. Some families are...
Court Overturns FDA Ban on School’s Use of Electric Shock Devices
A federal appeals court has overturned a ban by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the use of electric shock devices...
COVID Relief Payments Now Won’t Affect SSI Benefits or Eligibility At All
COVID relief payments will no longer affect an individual’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the...
Disaster Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities
Planning for emergencies, whether natural or manmade, is crucial for everyone, not least people with disabilities. Advance...
Navigating Social Security Disability Appeals
The United States has two federal government benefits programs to help people with disabilities: Â Social Security...
Leaving an IRA to a Special Needs Trust Is No Longer Such a Bad Idea
The SECURE Act, passed at the end of 2019, changed a number of rules regarding inherited IRAs, making it more difficult for...
New Child Support Guidelines Become Effective October 4, 2021
New Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines will go into effect on October 4, 2021, based on a review by the 2020-2021 Child...
Better Care Better Jobs Bill Dangles Funding Hope
Families of children with special needs face a daunting challenge when their dependents age out of school. Right now, there...
Britney Spears Case Offers Lessons on Guardianship
The Britney Spears Case is a legal fight to wrest back control over her personal and financial affairs and has flooded the...
3 Tips When Hiring a Caregiver for a Child with Special Needs
Originally published on: https://attorney.elderlawanswers.com/newsletter/ Hiring a caregiver for someone with special needs...
Special Needs Attorney Annette Hines Honored with Prestigious Award
Let's come together to celebrate Annette! She has recently been the recipient of a very prestigious award – and we are so...
Freddie Mac To Support Housing For Those With IDD
Originally published on: https://www.disabilityscoop.com Freddie Mac to Issue Social Bonds Mortgage giant Freddie Mac is...
Does Your Child’s Special Needs Trust Need a Tune-Up? Probably.
Apple is set to roll out a host of updates to make its devices even more user-friendly for people with disabilities. The technology giant said that software updates coming later this year will include changes “designed for people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities.”
Apple Launching New Accessibility Features For Those With Disabilities
Apple is set to roll out a host of updates to make its devices even more user-friendly for people with disabilities. The technology giant said that software updates coming later this year will include changes “designed for people with mobility, vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities.”
Special Needs Summer Camp in 2021: What It Might Look Like
COVID has changed how we experience everything. Wondering how summer camp will be affected this year, especially for those with special needs? Find out here.
How Art Can Bring Awareness to Developmental Disabilities
In a recent podcast, I chatted about inclusion and community support and using art to transform the way people with...
Mental Health Emergencies Need Assistance Beyond 911
Fatal shootings by police officers have attracted nationwide attention.  Since 2015, almost a quarter of the fatal...
How the American Families Plan Affects Those With Disabilities
To ensure the nation recovers from the staggering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joe Biden recently announced...
Court Rules Service Dogs Trained by Owners Don’t Require Formal Certification
It was a doggone big win on March 30, 2021 for those with mental or physical disabilities who wish to have a service dog –...
New Must-Know COVID-19 CDC Guidelines for Adult Day Services Centers
By now, everyone is probably pretty tired of hearing about "new" guidelines on COVID-19. One thing we can probably all...
How an ABLE Account Can Help You Save Your Stimulus Check
Understandably, individuals with disabilities may be concerned that government stimulus payments related to COVID-19 could...
New Website Assists Disabled Individuals With COVID-19 Vaccine
“If cerebral palsy is not going to take me out, I refuse to let a pandemic, or a virus do the same.” -Emmanuel Jenkins To...
Health Care Insurance for Individuals with Disabilities In Massachusetts and Beyond
There are several types of insurance coverage for health care services: Private insurance (including group health plans);...
Social Security Benefits for the Disability Community
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is available to people whose disabilities prevent gainful employment. In order...
Disability Advocates Push CDC to Grant COVID-19 Vaccine Priority
Since the release of COVID-19 vaccine rollout plans, advocates have been outraged at the lack of priority for individuals...
Educational Entitlements for Children and Young Adults with Disabilities
Children and young adults between the ages of 3 and 21 whose disabilities are severe enough to negatively affect learning...
Four Questions to Help You Choose the Right Professional Trustee for Your Special Needs Trust
Parents or other family members establishing a special needs trust for their child often want to name a professional —...
A Guide to Special Needs Planning
Any parent naturally wonders what will happen to their child once they are no longer able to provide their care, financial...
Federal Agency Calls for End to Program Paying People with Disabilities Less Than $1 an Hour
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has officially called on the government to end the 14(c) program, a work program that...
Have You Designated a Special Needs Trust Protector?
Are you the parent, guardian, or caretaker of a loved one with disabilities? If so, you understand just how scary it can be...
Annette Hines and Mark Worthington Named to the 2020 Massachusetts Super Lawyers List
We are pleased to announce that both Special Needs Companies founder Annette Hines and her husband, expert attorney Mark...
Transition Planning During COVID-19
As we all know, transition planning has been one of the most challenging services to provide during the past 6 months....
Divorce and Estate Planning for Parents of Special Needs Children
Across the country, we have seen an unfortunate increase in the number of divorces as married couples struggle to adjust to...
Types of Special Needs Trusts
During a recent Facebook Live event hosted within our “Circle of Care” Facebook Group, Special Needs Companies founder...
Annette Hines Voted as a 2020 Family Favorite By Boston Parents Paper
We are proud to announce that our founder Annette Hines has been selected as a 2020 Family Favorite in Boston Parents...
Advocate For Your Special Needs Student’s Rights to Education During COVID-19
In the Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District case of March 2017, the Supreme Court reviewed the educational rights...
Economic Impact Payments Under The CARES Act
As all of us navigate these unprecedented times, we face numerous challenges to our health and wellbeing. At Special Needs...
An Important Update on COVID-19 and Special Needs Companies
The MA House of Representatives voted unanimously on Wednesday January 15th to approve the Abuse Registry Bill known as Nicky’s Law, a bill that would create a registry of anyone found abusing the developmentally disabled.
Seeing the Good in Mentoring
The MA House of Representatives voted unanimously on Wednesday January 15th to approve the Abuse Registry Bill known as Nicky’s Law, a bill that would create a registry of anyone found abusing the developmentally disabled.
Finally, Nicky’s Law has been passed!
The MA House of Representatives voted unanimously on Wednesday January 15th to approve the Abuse Registry Bill known as Nicky’s Law, a bill that would create a registry of anyone found abusing the developmentally disabled.
WEBINAR: The SECURE Act and Special Needs Trusts
What You Need to Know About the SECURE Act by Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, PC The SECURE Act was signed into...
The SECURE Act and Special Needs Trusts
The SECURE Act was signed into law on December 20, 2019. Bottom line: if you have a special needs trust as part of your estate plan, your plan needs updating.
3 Common Myths About Special Needs Trusts
In my practice over the past 20 years (yikes), the clients I see are increasingly well-informed and smart, savvy consumers...
8 Ways to be a Great Advocate for Your Family Member With Special Needs
For most families, the journey of taking care of a family member with special needs is "a marathon, not a sprint". The...
First Circuit Court Decision Pushes Back at Public School Standards for Students with Disabilities
Background: Free Appropriate Public Education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act The Individuals with...
Back-To-School Checklist for Children with Special Needs
The end of August is approaching and in the Northeast our children go back to school right before Labor Day....
Well-Wishes for Heather
It is with such sadness that we announce to our clients and friends that Heather Pyne is leaving Special Needs Law Group to...
Happy Mother’s Day
Annette Hines As another Mother’s Day approaches, I am so mindful of my grief and the grief of other mother's whose...
Woman with Autism about to Graduate from Law School
I ran across an article yesterday that, as a lawyer, I found particularly compelling. A young woman with autism is about to...
Money Follows the Person Program Gets a Short Term Reprieve
On Friday, January 25, 2019, the President signed into law the IMPROVE Act (H.R. 7217), which among other things extends...
The Future of Accessible Video Games
New options for video game hardware and software to expand accessibility are on the rise. For example, a student at the...
Saving for College Part 3 (The Right Approach for Some)
In Part 1, we talked about two things that can influence how and in whose name it makes sense to save money for college:...
Saving for College Part 2 (Examining 529 Plans More Closely)
In Part 1, we talked about two things that can influence how and in whose name it makes sense to save money for college:...
Saving for College Part 1 (In Whose Name Should Funds be Saved?)
For most of us, paying for college for our children means some combination of 529 Plans, regular savings, our current...
Disinheriting a Child
It’s Your Money It should be possible to leave your assets when you die to whomever you want. We live in a country with...
S-P-Speechless
M-O-Mom If you haven’t seen the prime time television show Speechless (Fridays 8:30pm Eastern|7:30 Central), it is a...
Financial Institutions and Reporting Financial Elder Abuse
Immunity Readers of this blog may recall we reported on two new FINRA regulations on February 7, 2018. These govern...
Ridesharing for Those with Disabilities
SCOOT over, Uber and Lyft A Chicago area nonprofit – New Star – is working on developing a ridesharing service and...
Deadline Approaching for 2018 ABLE Account Contributions!
$15,000 … or maybe more The deadline for making a 2018 contribution to someone’s ABLE Account is fast approaching: Monday,...
Nicky’s Law: Murdered by CPCS
Abusing the Legislative Process? This year a number of articles, TV spotlights, and even a series on NPR have highlighted...
2018 End of Year Checklist and New Year’s Resolutions
Tidy up your estate and financial planning for the new year! Herewith a few things to think about as New Year’s resolutions...