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Elder Law Short Course 2025

Strengthen your skills, expand your knowledge, and engage with peers and experienced faculty at the annual Elder Law Short Course! Designed for Illinois attorneys focused on elder law, this comprehensive program offers an in-depth look at the most current and important issues affecting older adults and their families. Topics include estate planning, Medicaid, guardianship issues, and recent legal developments.
Credits: 9 General, 1 Diversity/Inclusion PR, 0 MH/SA PR, 2 Other PR

Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19, 2025
Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge and Live Webcast

A special overnight room rate is available for program attendees through August 27, 2025. To book, please CLICK HERE.


DAY ONE

Moderator: Kathryn C. Casey, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, P.C., Chicago &

8:15 - 8:55          Registration Opens or Log into the webcast via your account at www.iicle.com

8:55 - 9:00          Welcoming Announcements        

9:00 – 10:00       Featured Presentation: What’s New and What’s Not: Advocating for Better Long-Term Services and Supports
Much of 2025 is marked by abrupt change, while good portions of client advocacy remain focused on forcing compliance with long-standing but often violated standards. This session will give advice on representing clients in nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, including practical advice for common situations, and discussion of recent policy changes. The session will include discussion of relatively recent federal home and community-based services (HCBS) regulations that expand rights for residents of facilities reimbursed through Medicaid HCBS.
Eric Carlson, Justice in Aging, Los Angeles, CA

10:00 – 10:15     Break

10:15 -11:15      Illinois Elder Law Caselaw and Legislative Update 2025
Get up to date on new cases and Illinois legislation.
Linda M. Strohschein, Strohschein Law Group, LLC, St. Charles &
Paula Willuweit, Strohschein Law Group, LLC, St. Charles 

11:15 - 12:15     Advanced Tax Considerations in Elder Law: Trusts, SNTs, and Medicaid Planning
Take a practical look at the tax issues that come up when working with Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), Irrevocable Trusts (IRTs), and Revocable Living Trusts (RLTs) in elder law planning. This session will cover grantor trust status and what counts as a completed gift, capital gains taxes when moving assets into SNTs and how income taxes work with different types of trusts, including those used for Medicaid planning and family wealth management.
Lorraine K. Cavataio,
Sandberg Phoenix, O’Fallon &

12:15 – 1:15       Lunch Break 

1:15 - 2:15          How to Read Social Security Letters, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid
Learn how to navigate the complex world of Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid. This session will provide practical strategies for interpreting benefits letters, understanding eligibility rules, and recognizing when clients may lose coverage—such as when Medicare ends for nursing home residents no longer “improving.” Gain insights on how these programs overlap, when they conflict, and how to advocate for clients when benefits are reduced or denied.
Mary Anne Ehlert, Protected Tomorrows, Lincolnshire
Deborah Spector, Spector & Lenz P.C., Oak Park

2:15 – 2:30          Break 

2:30 - 3:30          AI and the Future of Elder Law
(1 professional responsibility pending approval)
An overview of emerging AI tools in estate planning and elder law, with live demonstrations and discussion of ethical considerations. Learn how AI is changing client service, document drafting, and long-term care planning—and what attorneys need to know to use these tools responsibly.
Mark A. Williams, Sandberg Phoenix, St. Louis

3:30 – 4:30         Planning for LGBTQ+ Clients in an Age of Uncertainty
(1 Diversity & Inclusion Professional Responsibility, pending approval)
This session explores recent legal and policy shifts affecting LGBTQ+ clients, including potential challenges to spousal status, and the impact on estate, retirement, and Medicaid/long-term care planning. We’ll also examine attorneys’ ethical responsibilities in promoting equity and providing competent counsel amid ongoing changes. 

4:30                      Adjourn Day One

DAY TWO

 

TRACK A

Moderated by: Wendy S. Cappelletto, Office of the Public Guardian of Cook County, Chicago

TRACK B

Moderated by:  Melissa Johnson, Generation Law, Elmhurst

 

 

9:00 – 10:00

 

Medicaid Eligibility Basics
This session offers attorneys a practical overview of Medicaid eligibility rules essential for effective client counseling and case management. Covering income and asset limits, resource treatment, and key documentation requirements, the program equips legal professionals with the tools to accurately assess eligibility, identify planning opportunities, and avoid common errors in Medicaid applications. Ideal for attorneys new to elder law or Medicaid
Megan Kinney, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, East St. Louis

 

Planning for Large Estates
Explore key strategies for handling large estates, including tax-efficient planning, trust structures, liquidity management, and compliance with current estate and gift tax laws. Gain practical guidance to help clients preserve and transfer wealth effectively.
Tiffany Carmona,
JP Morgan Private Bank, Chicago
Elizabeth A.  Garlovsky,
Harrison LLP, Chicago &

 

 

10:00 – 10:10

Break

Break

 

10:10-11:10

 

Advanced Medicaid Issues
The Medicaid planning landscape has changed a lot in a year. Come learn about what we currently know about Spousal Support Orders, the status of using spousal refusal to support as a Medicaid planning strategy, how Medicaid divorces work, and the latest on using Medicaid compliant annuities to protect assets.
Elizabeth M. Fink, WhiteheadFink Elder Law, LLC, Chicago

A Practical Guide to Elder Law Litigation: Will & Trust Contests and Using Evidence Effectively
Get real-world guidance on handling common elder law disputes, including will and trust contests, undue influence claims, and fiduciary misconduct. This session will walk you through the practical steps of building and presenting a case—what evidence to gather, how to work with witnesses, and strategies for using medical records, financial documents, and expert opinions to support your argument.
Eric Dorkin, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
Mackenzie A. Hyde, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
&



 

11:10 – 11:20

 

Break

 

11:20-12:20

 

Medicaid Planning Gone Bad-Very Bad….Now What
In a perfect world, Medicaid Planning would work perfectly each and every time.  When a plan goes off the rails and then lands on your desk just moments before a Medicaid application is needed, what do you do?  Attend this session and discover the best crisis management strategies for a Medicaid Plan gone bad.
Constance B. Renzi, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, & Andersson, P.C./Elder Law Center, P.C., Sugar Grove
Heather E. Voorn,
Voorn, Jaworski, & Preston, PLLC, New Lenox &

Special Needs Trusts Funding Issues
This session explores common and complex Special Needs Trust funding issues—including home purchases, vehicles with liens, and other high-value expenditures such as travel, electronics, and support services. Learn how to navigate eligibility rules, trustee responsibilities, and best practices to ensure compliant and effective use of trust funds.

Melissa Kallio, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC, Chicago
Sara Riechert, Chamberlin Riechert Law Group, P.C., Oak Brook

 

12:20 – 1:10

Lunch Break

 

1:10 – 2:10

 

Keep Your Client Out of Hot Water - Best Practices for Advising Trustees and Agents – Providing your trustee/agent client with clear and concrete instructions on how to administer the finances is critical to keeping everyone out of trouble.  Learn about the top mistakes trustees and agents make in managing the money, the key components of good written instructions, and how best to keep your clients on the straight and narrow.
J. Amber Drew, Clingen Callow & McLean, LLC , Lisle 






But I Just Did What Mom Wanted Me To Do….Pursuing a Claim Against an Agent Under the Illinois Power of  Attorney Act
Attorneys face many complexities when representing heirs, particularly when actions taken during the decedent’s lifetime—often by an agent acting under a Power of Attorney—come to light after the death of the decedent. When all assets pass by operation of law directly to beneficiaries, outside of an estate or trust, Attorneys may need to consider other avenues to pursue remedies for their clients.  Using real-world examples, we’ll examine common conflicts that arise when agents claim they were "just doing what Mom wanted," and evaluating claims against agents under the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. 
Catherine E. Lenert, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, Lenert & Julien, P.C./Elder Law Center, P.C., Sugar Grove
Lydia K. Park, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, Lenert & Julien, P.C./Elder Law Center, P.C., Sugar Grove

 

2:10 – 2:20

                    

Break

 

2:20 – 3:20

Planning for Retirement Accounts In Elder Law
Retirement accounts can be a major asset in estate planning—especially when special needs trusts (SNTs) and elder law considerations come into play. This session will cover how the SECURE Act changed the rules for inherited retirement accounts and what that means when planning for individuals with disabilities. Learn practical drafting tips, explore tax consequences, and examine how to align retirement assets with SNTs and long-term care planning.
Mark Munson, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C., Wausau, WI

 

Guardianship Problems and Contested Cases
Disputes in guardianship cases are becoming more frequent and more complex. This session will cover the most common challenges that arise—such as objections to appointments, claims of undue influence, disagreements among family members, and allegations of incapacity. Learn how to navigate contested hearings, handle difficult parties, and manage the procedural and evidentiary issues that come with these high-stakes cases.
Sarah M. LeRose, Law Office of Leonard J. LeRose, Jr., Ltd., Chicago 

 

3:20 – 3:30

 

Break

 

3:30 – 4:30

Who’s your Client-Advocating for the Caregiver
(1 professional responsibility pending approval)
Elder Law attorneys frequently have caregivers for clients.  Spouses taking care of spouses.  Adult children taking care of parents.  Friends taking care of friends.  Learn all of the tools of the trade to advocate for your caregiver client from caregiver contracts, promissory notes and mortgages, fiduciary compensation as well as post-death rights such as statutory custodial claims. This session will also address the ethical considerations involve in these relationships such as client identification, potential conflicts of interest, capacity and consent, undue influence and attorney’s duty to confidentiality.
Colleen Ceh Becvar, Trinity Advocacy Group, LLC, St. Charles 
Kim Burgess, Comforting Transitions, St. Louis
Heidi E. Dodd, Dodd & Wambold, O’Fallon
&

 

 

Elder Abuse and Diminished Capacity
(1 professional responsibility pending approval)
Explore the complex intersection of elder abuse and diminished capacity, with a focus on evolving strategies for identification, intervention, and advocacy. This session will address new approaches to assessing capacity, legal tools available to protect vulnerable adults, and the implications of updated ABA Rule 1.14 on representing clients with diminished capacity. Attendees will gain insight into practical case management, ethical duties, and effective collaboration with professionals in other disciplines.
Jessica Brock, American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, Washington, D.C. 
Erica Costello,
American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, Washington, D.C. 

 

4:30       Adjourn                                                                                                                        

= IICLE® Publications Author


Seminar
Live in-person at the Chicago Marriott Southwest on 09/18 - 09/19/25
SKU: P9007-25F-BURR
$675.00
$600.00
decrease increase
Live Webcast
Live Webcast on 09/18 - 09/19/25
SKU: P9007-25L
$675.00
$600.00
decrease increase

Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19, 2025
Chicago Marriott Southwest at Burr Ridge and Live Webcast

A special overnight room rate is available for program attendees through August 27, 2025. To book, please CLICK HERE.


DAY ONE

Moderator: Kathryn C. Casey, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, P.C., Chicago &

8:15 - 8:55          Registration Opens or Log into the webcast via your account at www.iicle.com

8:55 - 9:00          Welcoming Announcements        

9:00 – 10:00       Featured Presentation: What’s New and What’s Not: Advocating for Better Long-Term Services and Supports
Much of 2025 is marked by abrupt change, while good portions of client advocacy remain focused on forcing compliance with long-standing but often violated standards. This session will give advice on representing clients in nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, including practical advice for common situations, and discussion of recent policy changes. The session will include discussion of relatively recent federal home and community-based services (HCBS) regulations that expand rights for residents of facilities reimbursed through Medicaid HCBS.
Eric Carlson, Justice in Aging, Los Angeles, CA

10:00 – 10:15     Break

10:15 -11:15      Illinois Elder Law Caselaw and Legislative Update 2025
Get up to date on new cases and Illinois legislation.
Linda M. Strohschein, Strohschein Law Group, LLC, St. Charles &
Paula Willuweit, Strohschein Law Group, LLC, St. Charles 

11:15 - 12:15     Advanced Tax Considerations in Elder Law: Trusts, SNTs, and Medicaid Planning
Take a practical look at the tax issues that come up when working with Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), Irrevocable Trusts (IRTs), and Revocable Living Trusts (RLTs) in elder law planning. This session will cover grantor trust status and what counts as a completed gift, capital gains taxes when moving assets into SNTs and how income taxes work with different types of trusts, including those used for Medicaid planning and family wealth management.
Lorraine K. Cavataio,
Sandberg Phoenix, O’Fallon &

12:15 – 1:15       Lunch Break 

1:15 - 2:15          How to Read Social Security Letters, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid
Learn how to navigate the complex world of Social Security, SSI, SSDI, Medicare, and Medicaid. This session will provide practical strategies for interpreting benefits letters, understanding eligibility rules, and recognizing when clients may lose coverage—such as when Medicare ends for nursing home residents no longer “improving.” Gain insights on how these programs overlap, when they conflict, and how to advocate for clients when benefits are reduced or denied.
Mary Anne Ehlert, Protected Tomorrows, Lincolnshire
Deborah Spector, Spector & Lenz P.C., Oak Park

2:15 – 2:30          Break 

2:30 - 3:30          AI and the Future of Elder Law
(1 professional responsibility pending approval)
An overview of emerging AI tools in estate planning and elder law, with live demonstrations and discussion of ethical considerations. Learn how AI is changing client service, document drafting, and long-term care planning—and what attorneys need to know to use these tools responsibly.
Mark A. Williams, Sandberg Phoenix, St. Louis

3:30 – 4:30         Planning for LGBTQ+ Clients in an Age of Uncertainty
(1 Diversity & Inclusion Professional Responsibility, pending approval)
This session explores recent legal and policy shifts affecting LGBTQ+ clients, including potential challenges to spousal status, and the impact on estate, retirement, and Medicaid/long-term care planning. We’ll also examine attorneys’ ethical responsibilities in promoting equity and providing competent counsel amid ongoing changes. 

4:30                      Adjourn Day One

DAY TWO

 

TRACK A

Moderated by: Wendy S. Cappelletto, Office of the Public Guardian of Cook County, Chicago

TRACK B

Moderated by:  Melissa Johnson, Generation Law, Elmhurst

 

 

9:00 – 10:00

 

Medicaid Eligibility Basics
This session offers attorneys a practical overview of Medicaid eligibility rules essential for effective client counseling and case management. Covering income and asset limits, resource treatment, and key documentation requirements, the program equips legal professionals with the tools to accurately assess eligibility, identify planning opportunities, and avoid common errors in Medicaid applications. Ideal for attorneys new to elder law or Medicaid
Megan Kinney, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, East St. Louis

 

Planning for Large Estates
Explore key strategies for handling large estates, including tax-efficient planning, trust structures, liquidity management, and compliance with current estate and gift tax laws. Gain practical guidance to help clients preserve and transfer wealth effectively.
Tiffany Carmona,
JP Morgan Private Bank, Chicago
Elizabeth A.  Garlovsky,
Harrison LLP, Chicago &

 

 

10:00 – 10:10

Break

Break

 

10:10-11:10

 

Advanced Medicaid Issues
The Medicaid planning landscape has changed a lot in a year. Come learn about what we currently know about Spousal Support Orders, the status of using spousal refusal to support as a Medicaid planning strategy, how Medicaid divorces work, and the latest on using Medicaid compliant annuities to protect assets.
Elizabeth M. Fink, WhiteheadFink Elder Law, LLC, Chicago

A Practical Guide to Elder Law Litigation: Will & Trust Contests and Using Evidence Effectively
Get real-world guidance on handling common elder law disputes, including will and trust contests, undue influence claims, and fiduciary misconduct. This session will walk you through the practical steps of building and presenting a case—what evidence to gather, how to work with witnesses, and strategies for using medical records, financial documents, and expert opinions to support your argument.
Eric Dorkin, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
Mackenzie A. Hyde, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago
&



 

11:10 – 11:20

 

Break

 

11:20-12:20

 

Medicaid Planning Gone Bad-Very Bad….Now What
In a perfect world, Medicaid Planning would work perfectly each and every time.  When a plan goes off the rails and then lands on your desk just moments before a Medicaid application is needed, what do you do?  Attend this session and discover the best crisis management strategies for a Medicaid Plan gone bad.
Constance B. Renzi, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, & Andersson, P.C./Elder Law Center, P.C., Sugar Grove
Heather E. Voorn,
Voorn, Jaworski, & Preston, PLLC, New Lenox &

Special Needs Trusts Funding Issues
This session explores common and complex Special Needs Trust funding issues—including home purchases, vehicles with liens, and other high-value expenditures such as travel, electronics, and support services. Learn how to navigate eligibility rules, trustee responsibilities, and best practices to ensure compliant and effective use of trust funds.

Melissa Kallio, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC, Chicago
Sara Riechert, Chamberlin Riechert Law Group, P.C., Oak Brook

 

12:20 – 1:10

Lunch Break

 

1:10 – 2:10

 

Keep Your Client Out of Hot Water - Best Practices for Advising Trustees and Agents – Providing your trustee/agent client with clear and concrete instructions on how to administer the finances is critical to keeping everyone out of trouble.  Learn about the top mistakes trustees and agents make in managing the money, the key components of good written instructions, and how best to keep your clients on the straight and narrow.
J. Amber Drew, Clingen Callow & McLean, LLC , Lisle 






But I Just Did What Mom Wanted Me To Do….Pursuing a Claim Against an Agent Under the Illinois Power of  Attorney Act
Attorneys face many complexities when representing heirs, particularly when actions taken during the decedent’s lifetime—often by an agent acting under a Power of Attorney—come to light after the death of the decedent. When all assets pass by operation of law directly to beneficiaries, outside of an estate or trust, Attorneys may need to consider other avenues to pursue remedies for their clients.  Using real-world examples, we’ll examine common conflicts that arise when agents claim they were "just doing what Mom wanted," and evaluating claims against agents under the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. 
Catherine E. Lenert, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, Lenert & Julien, P.C./Elder Law Center, P.C., Sugar Grove
Lydia K. Park, Mickey, Wilson, Weiler, Renzi, Lenert & Julien, P.C./Elder Law Center, P.C., Sugar Grove

 

2:10 – 2:20

                    

Break

 

2:20 – 3:20

Planning for Retirement Accounts In Elder Law
Retirement accounts can be a major asset in estate planning—especially when special needs trusts (SNTs) and elder law considerations come into play. This session will cover how the SECURE Act changed the rules for inherited retirement accounts and what that means when planning for individuals with disabilities. Learn practical drafting tips, explore tax consequences, and examine how to align retirement assets with SNTs and long-term care planning.
Mark Munson, Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C., Wausau, WI

 

Guardianship Problems and Contested Cases
Disputes in guardianship cases are becoming more frequent and more complex. This session will cover the most common challenges that arise—such as objections to appointments, claims of undue influence, disagreements among family members, and allegations of incapacity. Learn how to navigate contested hearings, handle difficult parties, and manage the procedural and evidentiary issues that come with these high-stakes cases.
Sarah M. LeRose, Law Office of Leonard J. LeRose, Jr., Ltd., Chicago 

 

3:20 – 3:30

 

Break

 

3:30 – 4:30

Who’s your Client-Advocating for the Caregiver
(1 professional responsibility pending approval)
Elder Law attorneys frequently have caregivers for clients.  Spouses taking care of spouses.  Adult children taking care of parents.  Friends taking care of friends.  Learn all of the tools of the trade to advocate for your caregiver client from caregiver contracts, promissory notes and mortgages, fiduciary compensation as well as post-death rights such as statutory custodial claims. This session will also address the ethical considerations involve in these relationships such as client identification, potential conflicts of interest, capacity and consent, undue influence and attorney’s duty to confidentiality.
Colleen Ceh Becvar, Trinity Advocacy Group, LLC, St. Charles 
Kim Burgess, Comforting Transitions, St. Louis
Heidi E. Dodd, Dodd & Wambold, O’Fallon
&

 

 

Elder Abuse and Diminished Capacity
(1 professional responsibility pending approval)
Explore the complex intersection of elder abuse and diminished capacity, with a focus on evolving strategies for identification, intervention, and advocacy. This session will address new approaches to assessing capacity, legal tools available to protect vulnerable adults, and the implications of updated ABA Rule 1.14 on representing clients with diminished capacity. Attendees will gain insight into practical case management, ethical duties, and effective collaboration with professionals in other disciplines.
Jessica Brock, American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, Washington, D.C. 
Erica Costello,
American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, Washington, D.C. 

 

4:30       Adjourn                                                                                                                        

= IICLE® Publications Author


Products specifications
CategoryEstate Planning & Probate
Program Date9/18-9/19/2025
CategoryElder Law
CategoryGuardianships
Media TypeLive Events
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