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sept-15-1

The Estate Planning Process for Individuals with Special Needs

September 15, 2022

How are special needs defined? The term special needs refer to those with learning difficulties, behavioral or emotional problems, or physical disabilities requiring specialized education. For example, individuals with autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome, Down syndrome, dyscalculia, dyslexia, deafness, blindness, and cystic fibrosis fall into the special needs category, as do cleft lips, missing limbs, and more. The US government combines this group into the overall classification of disability, and current US Census data estimates the US disabled population to be 12.7 percent or 41.1 million individuals.

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sept-8

There Are Several Reasons Why SSI and SSDI Claims Are Rejected

September 8, 2022

In order to ensure your eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you should review some of the major disqualifiers before beginning the application process. Eligible individuals can benefit from both programs though they have distinct differences. The major difference is SSI eligibility qualification relies on age, disability, and limited resources and income, while SSDI eligibility determination relies on disability and work credits. In most states, SSI recipients automatically qualify for Medicaid health care coverage, which could result in additional supplementary benefits through your state’s Medicaid program. However, both programs have some common reasons that can disqualify your claim.

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aug-25

A Guide to Creditors and Probate

August 25, 2022

By avoiding probate through legal methods, you can save taxes, keep your estate out of public view, and avoid needing court approval every step of the way. It can save you time, frustration, and in many cases, significant attorney and court fees. Your personal representative sometimes referred to as an executor, must formally notify all your creditors of your death. This action is one of the first steps in the probate process. Often this is as simple as placing a notice of death in a local newspaper(s) to which creditors respond and file a timely claim to the probate court for estate payment of the said claim.

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aug-18

Planning for Special Needs: Ten Tips to Consider

August 18, 2022

Careful planning for the future of a loved one with special needs is one of the most critical life-protecting tasks you will ever provide for them. This article offers tips you can employ in your planning process can create a meaningful and comprehensive approach, addressing many of the challenges of special needs family members without negatively influencing eligibility for government programs or other loved ones you are providing for in your estate plan.

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aug-11

How Does a Personal Injury Settlement Affect My SSDI or SSI Benefits?

August 11, 2022

There are many important questions regarding how personal injury settlements affect the monthly benefits you receive from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and whether you should apply for SSDI benefits and pursue a claim simultaneously, all of which are dependent upon your specific circumstances.

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aug-4

Estate Planning and Cryptocurrency

August 4, 2022

Most traditional estate planning elements no longer apply to digital assets. Crypto-assets may comprise significant individual wealth in the forms of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and noncurrency blockchain tokens. If you own any of these asset classes, addressing complex challenges to secure, transfer, protect and ultimately gift crypto-asset wealth is crucial to your estate plan.

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jul-28

What Is the Step-By-Step Process of Probate?

July 28, 2022

An estate is probated when a deceased person’s will is authenticated, their assets are inspected, their debts are paid, their taxes are paid, and their remaining assets are distributed to their beneficiaries. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint a valid will’s executor to administer the probate process. In the absence of a will, the court will appoint a state administrator to handle probate. Probate law varies by state, but there are steps in the process that are common.

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Planning for a Disabled Family Member: Common Mistakes

July 21, 2022

Americans with special needs who are five years of age or older comprise the largest minority group in this country. The majority of federal and state benefits available to help persons with disabilities are needs-based, meaning income and assets are strictly limited and can often be misinterpreted, resulting in costly mistakes.

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jul-14

The Process of Qualifying for SSDI and SSI

July 14, 2022

A person who cannot work because of a severe medical condition may qualify for free health insurance and monthly benefits from the US government. About twenty million disabled Americans currently receive assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for disability through SSI and SSDI. Although the medical eligibility requirements are the same, the two programs are different. Your medical condition must extend for a minimum of one year or result in death; however, you can also meet non-medical requirements to receive benefits. Before applying, understanding the qualification process for both SSI and SSDI will increase your initial chance of success and get you benefits quicker.

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