On December 16, 2014, Congress passed provisions that will protect children with disabilities who have parents in the military by allowing their parents’ survivor benefits to go into a special needs trust. Special needs trusts make it possible for persons…
The use of life insurance can be an excellent option not only as an investment tool, but also as an intricate part of an individual’s estate plan. Should an individual choose to purchase a life insurance policy, careful attention must…
Yesterday, Congress passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE Act). The ABLE Act will create tax-favored accounts for children and adults whose disability occurred before the age of 26; a step in the right direction to helping…
A big congratulations to Vincent J. Russo who has yet again, been named the Best Lawyers' Elder Law “Lawyer of the Year” for the Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut). Vincent has been honored in the Best Lawyers…
Many, if not most, people who are working (or have retired) have a retirement savings plan such as an IRA or 401(k). Parents of children with special needs need to be extremely careful when considering who to name as the…
Many people often get confused what the two programs entail because their names are so similar. Although both programs provide health coverage, the two are very different. Medicare is a federal program that is offered to everyone 65 and over…
Martial arts classes in Albany, New York, are being used to help kids with special needs not only physically, but also mentally. Although, it seems like simple kicking and punching, this karate class teaches these kids moves that are anything…
For parents of special needs children (either mentally or physically), passing control of their children to a stranger or outside health professional can be difficult. Many parents however, do not establish plans for their children should they become too sick to…
The New York City special-needs community won a big long-standing fight last month, when Mayor Bill de Blasio announced an end to the unfair treatment faced by too many children with special needs and their parents at the hands of…
There are 6.5 million special-education students in the U.S. today, and is seems that most are falling behind because of the new Common Core standards. NPR's Claudio Sanchez reported "Two-thirds of students with disabilities are performing well below grade level…