Estates & Trusts

Special needs planning is not just a third party and/or a first party special needs trust. It is not just estate planning, not just guardianship and alternatives to guardianship. In this session, you will also learn how to effectively prepare for and conduct the initial consultation, including topics you should cover in addition to estate planning, such as the who, what, why, where and how of accessing the Illinois “maze” of services for individuals with special needs, Letters of Intent, etc.

Understanding the benefits and services available to an individual with special needs will help to inspire your creativity to better serve your clients for a more secure future. SSI, SSDI, Medicare, IL Medicaid, and waiver services will be highlighted.

The 6th Annual Special Needs Institute will provide in-depth information from seasoned special needs law practitioners, practical takeaways, and insights on drafting 1st and 3rd party trusts, government benefits, guardianship alternatives, and much more!

The death of a client is the true test of how all the estate planning plays out. Understanding the nuts and bolts of the estate administration process can help you anticipate potential problems in your drafting. Cover how the attorney can help with the estate settlement responsibilities, tasks that will need to be completed and considerations for post-mortem tax planning.

Understand the various types of assets that pass outside of a will or trust, the mechanism of conveyance, and applicable law.

Ensure thoroughness in each stage of the planning process with a step-by-step checklist to help you avoid malpractice claims - from pre-engagement to document drafting to termination of representation.