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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. Originally presented as part of the 7th Annual Special Needs Institute.

The Courts, the Illinois General Assembly, and the US Congress reached decisions and passed laws in 2023 on multiple critically important matters related to governmental bodies at all levels. This course covers the most important judicial and legislative activities from 2023 and their impacts on Illinois local government. Originally presented as part of the 11th Annual Local Government Law Institute.

This session covers the topics of best practices of attorneys seeking to settle Contested Guardianship matters (both with the Respondent and between family members/Cross Petitioners), Family Settlement Agreements in Decedent's Estates and in settlements of Trust Disputes under the Illinois Trust Code. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

Learn how to navigate next steps in adjudicating a denial or adverse Medicaid decision. This includes information on how to file an administrative appeal, reviewing administrative rules, and highlighting practice tips in preparing for an administrative appeal. Presenters review a comprehensive guide containing pertinent citations that will assist both new and seasoned practitioners in representing clients in administrative appeals. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

This session examines the rules and procedures surrounding citations to discover and citations to recover in probate estates, including some of the more nuanced challenges and complications involved in citation proceedings. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

Real estate may be the highest money item in a client's estate, so handling real estate in the probate process requires the utmost diligence, care, and thoroughness. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

Planning when the Ward has testamentary capacity and when the Ward does not and the guardian is planning for the Ward, including potential challenges after death. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

Medicaid waivers are an important part of securing a client's interests. But where to start? And how do we ensure the proper outcome for our clients? Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

This session is intended as a primer for the attorney new to elder law or the seasoned elder law attorney who doesn’t draft special needs trusts daily and needs a refresher. We review the basics of the entire range of special needs trusts including self-settled OBRAs, stand-alone third-party special needs trusts, and testamentary special needs trusts. After covering the basic requirements of each, we discuss drafting tips, establishment issues, and trust funding considerations. And we cover practical advice on when and how to effectively use special needs trusts, professional fiduciaries, care managers, True Link Cards and ABLE account alternatives in an elder law practice. We’ll also cover practical advice on how to effectively counsel clients to make good decisions in establishing special needs trusts. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

The income tax laws pertaining to estates and trusts can seem daunting. However, the most important tax code provisions relevant to attorneys and their clients are relatively simple and easy to understand. This presentation explores those income tax code provisions as they relate to estates, trusts, and our aging clients so you can apply them easily in your practice. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.

This course discusses the process of building up your book of business in your trusts & estates legal practice. Topics include: Moving into your own practice, business infrastructure, issues once you have started, staffing, use of Artificial Intelligence, and adding partners. Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning for the 99%.

True advocacy in contested trusts and estates matters doesn't end without securing your client's interests with post-filing considerations. Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2023.