PRE-ORDER
With this practice guide, attorneys can confidently help clients, caregivers, and other stakeholders plan for the education, housing, medical care, tax concerns, and financial security of those with special needs. Updates to the 2026 edition include discussions of changes to Illinois’ regulatory framework for early childhood programs, including the consolidation of several agencies into the Department of Early Childhood; the impact of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies on smart home and universal design concepts; and the latest in federal legislation and regulations regarding Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Access Board. This edition also contains a new sample Irrevocable Special Needs Trust Agreement, ready to be tailored to your practice.
Chapter 1 — Initial Client Meeting and Needs Assessment
Brian N. Rubin, Rubin Law, A Professional Corporation, Buffalo Grove
Chapter 2 — Day Program and Residential Placement Options and Related Funding Issues
Patricia Cline, Values Forward For Health LLC, Elgin
Chapter 3 — Home Design and Adaptations for Use by a Person with Special Needs
Patricia Cline, Values Forward For Health LLC, Elgin
Chapter 4 — Drafting Self-Settled OBRA Trusts
Kathryn C. Casey, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC, Chicago
Chapter 5 — Drafting Third-Party Special Needs Trusts
Bryan J. Schrempf, Danna McKitrick, P.C., St. Louis, MO, Joshua B. Hutkins, Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C., St. Louis, MO
Chapter 6 — Social Security & Medicare: An Overview
Heather E. Voorn, Voorn, Preston, & Carlasare, PLLC, New Lenox, Roger S. Hutchison, Hutchison Disability Law, Tinley Park
Chapter 7 — Medicaid Issues
Helen Mesoloras, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, PC, Chicago
Chapter 8 — Tax Issues Relating to Special Needs Trusts
Benjamin A. Rubin, Rubin Law, A Professional Corporation, Buffalo Grove
Chapter 9 — Disability Provisions in General (Non-Special Needs Trust) Living Trusts
Bryan J. Schrempf and Tabitha L. Atwell, Danna McKitrick, P.C., St. Louis, MO
Chapter 10 — Special Powers in Powers of Attorney Relating to Special Needs Issues
Thorpe A. Facer and Theodore R. Facer, Facer Law Office, Urbana
Chapter 11 — Planning for Beneficiaries Who May Become Disabled
Heidi E. Dodd, Dodd & Wambold, O’Fallon, Heather E. Voorn, Voorn, Preston, & Carlasare, PLLC, New Lenox
Chapter 12 — Powers of Attorney & Trusts as Alternatives to Guardianship
Susan Reedy Williams and Nancy A. Williams, Williams & Kite LLC, Lombard
Chapter 13 — Protection of the Caregiver
Heidi E. Dodd and Kelly A. Wambold, Dodd & Wambold, O’Fallon
Chapter 14 — Caregiver Succession Planning
Heidi E. Dodd and Kelly A. Wambold, Dodd & Wambold, O’Fallon
Chapter 15 — Special Needs Trusts in Personal Injury Awards or Settlements
Sheri L. Willard and Jayme Levin-Muriel, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, Chicago
Chapter 16 — Trust Management
Sheri L. Willard and Patricia A. Leichenko, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, Chicago
Chapter 17 — Special Needs Trust Form
Joseph Tondini, Denton Law Firm, Paducah, KY
