Trusts

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.

Hear from attorneys currently acting as guardian ad litem in various counties throughout the state. We will discuss the role of the guardian ad litem in disabled estates, the expectations of the court, and the preparation of guardian ad litem reports.

This presentation will explore various considerations when evaluating the legal fees of the fiduciary’s counsel, in both contested and uncontested matters. Practitioners can take appropriate steps to avoid short-changing themselves on their hard-earned fees by filing a proper petition which conforms to the law on reasonableness, and which includes sufficient detail of the work performed.

• QDRO Support/How Support is Paid

Best practices for guardians, agents under POAs, executors, trustees, and administrators.

• Pre-Trial Motions

• Pre-Trial Discovery

This session includes: (1) an overview of the challenge facing practitioners given the privilege of serving persons with diminished capacity; (2) examination of relevant ethical rules you must consider in dealing with clients with diminished capacity under the IRPC; (3) deciding when it is appropriate to treat the client in a normal attorney-client manner vs seeking protective action for the client; & (4) estate planning strategies to consider in light of diminished capacity and the distinctions between representing single vs married individuals.

An examination of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and newest rules pertaining to the rights of residents in facilities accepting Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

Elder law attorneys are likely to encounter candidates for disability benefits in two scenarios: (1) individuals with disabilities who are unable to work but not quite old enough for full retirement benefits or for aged SSI, and/or (2) clients concerned about future planning for their child or children with disabilities. This session will cover eligibility for each of the four types of disability benefits (DIB, CDB, DWB, SSI), applications, the disability determination process, the appeals process, maintaining benefits after entitlement, representation issues, and challenging situations where the potential applicant is unable to assist with the application process.