No Will? You’re Putting Your Kids at Risk

by Annette Hines | Nov 4, 2022 | Estate Planning, General Interest, Parenting, Special Needs Planning

Many people delay the conversation or thoughts of having to prepare a will. Confronting the possibility of one’s death is not easy. However, as the recent death of actor Anne Heche shows us, not having a will can place a significant burden on your children and cause...

Estate Planning for Special Needs Children

by Annette Hines | Aug 9, 2022 | Estate Planning, Parenting, Special Needs Trust

Part of providing comprehensive estate planning for families includes being prepared to address the needs of family members with special needs. Some of the tools used are trusts, guardianship and tax planning, according to the article “How to Help Clients With Special...

PDA, have you heard of it? It is not what you are thinking

by Annette Hines | Aug 1, 2022 | Autism, General Interest, Parenting

Guest Article By Diane Gould, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Certified Behavior Analyst Have you ever met a child who did not fit into one of the diagnostic categories we use for struggling kids? Maybe you have one of those. The child may fit some of the...

Happy Father’s Day from a Survivor

by Annette Hines | Jun 10, 2022 | General Interest, Parenting

Happy Father’s Day from a Survivor Father’s Day should be the positive of days for dads throughout the year. Better than birthdays. Better than Christmas. Even better than your family vacation. All the attention of your family goes into this day. And for your...

Using ABLE Accounts & Special Needs Trusts Together

by Special Needs Law Group | Dec 28, 2021 | Estate Planning, Parenting, Special Needs, Special Needs Planning, Special Needs Trust

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 to consider your child’s access to public benefit programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as the state and...

Grieving The Loss Of A Child During The Holidays

by Annette Hines | Nov 23, 2021 | General Interest, Parenting, Special Needs

As another holiday season approaches, I am so mindful of my grief and the grief of other parents whose child will not be with them this year. For me, my daughter Elizabeth is not here. It booms and thunders within me. I look up at my treasures in my office from both...