February 17, 2017 – February 18, 2017

Attorneys Margaret Heiser Fulton and Ashley Clower attended the Special Needs Symposium held in Santa Rosa, CA.  This two-day event was dedicated to the education of the professionals who plan for persons with disabilities and administer special needs trusts.  The seminar was packed with information, presented by leading experts who discussed legal issues, nursing and care issues, public benefits and financial issues.  Attorneys, professional fiduciaries, financial planners and families of persons with disabilities were in attendance.

Some of the sessions included:  Obtaining and Evaluating Health Care Coverage for Persons with Disabilities; Advocating for Regional Center Services for Clients with Developmental Disabilities; Navigating the SSA Programs of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Childhood Disabled Beneficiary (CDB) Benefits for Special Needs Trust Beneficiaries; Putting Together the Public Benefits Puzzle for Special Needs Trust Beneficiaries; Creating Systems to Properly Administer Special Needs Trusts; Properly Paying for Housing for a Special Needs Trust Beneficiary and Avoiding Unintended Consequences; Properly Paying Caregivers for Special Needs Trust Beneficiaries; and Protecting the Special Needs Trustee when Dealing with Courts, Public Benefit Agencies and Families.

It was a valuable experience to hear from those persons who are “in the trenches”.  It was a great networking opportunity to expand our connections so that we can provide our clients options for creating the best team necessary for their loved ones with special needs.