Director Carolyn White, alongside Timothy Palmer of Timothy K. Palmer PC is serving as an instructor for a day-long CLE course geared to practitioners who want to expand or refresh their knowledge of the fast-growing field of advising the elderly and their families. The session will be hosted via webinar on March 17th through Virginia CLE and attendees will receive CLE credit in the areas of Ethics and Trusts and Estates.
COURSE SCHEDULE
| 9:00 | Introduction Elder law has been described as providing legal services to a special range of clients, on a special range of legal issues, using a special range of resources and collaborators. Examine the ranges of clients, issues, and resources that an elder law practice entails: – Unique aspects of elder law practice – Resources for elder law practitioners |
| 9:30 | Proactive Planning for Financial Security The planning responsibility of the elder law attorney – Client profiles – Wealth accumulation strategies – Asset preservation options Other financial resources available to clients – Government benefits |
| 10:15 | Break |
| 10:25 | Planning for Incapacity—How Much Is Enough? – Durable powers of attorney for financial matters – Advance medical directives/health care powers of attorney – Guardianship and conservatorship – Civil commitment – Dispute resolution |
| 11:25 | Break |
| 11:30 | Ethics The impaired client poses numerous challenges, many of which raise ethical questions. An overview of the pertinent Rules of Professional Responsibility will be followed by case studies used to promote a better understanding of the steps needed to protect both the client and the lawyer. Of particular importance in elder law are the issues of: – Handling clients with diminished capacity – Representing married couples and family members |
| 12:30 | Lunch Break |
| 1:15 | Elder Housing We are a nation committed to “aging in place.” But what happens when your client wants to downsize or needs both housing and care? Here is a basic overview of elder housing options with an emphasis on the elderly maintaining maximum autonomy: – Retirement communities/continuing care contracts (including tax aspects) – Nursing homes and assisted living – In-home care |
| 2:15 | Break |
| 2:25 | Paying for Long-Term Care Paying for nursing home or at-home care – Long-term care insurance – Public benefits for nursing home payments (Medicare & Medicaid benefits) Public benefits for assisted-living facility payments – Virginia State Supplement (the Auxiliary Grant) Intro to Medicaid |
| 3:25 | Break |
| 3:35 | Introduction to Special Needs Trusts Special Needs Trusts permit beneficiaries to maintain eligibility for needs-based government benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and permit beneficiaries to use the trust funds for goods and services not paid for by these programs. Beneficiaries may be children or adults with disabilities or, in certain circumstances, elderly persons. |
| 4:20 | Closing Remarks |
| 4:30 | Adjourn |
- Q&A will be handled via chat room for Webcast attendees.
- Q&A will be handled via e-mail for telephone seminar attendees.
