Building Resilience in Youth after Recent Storms and Other Adverse Events
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Many of us still lack power and heat after the storm and many schools are still not open. In addition, students and school staff are facing continued fear and anxiety after the Parkland, Florida shooting. For youth with disabilities, the changes in routines and the increased stress…
Letter to Our Clients Regarding Recent Tax Act
By Amy C. O’Hara, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP President Trump signed tax reform legislation, Public Law 115-97, generally referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, into law on December 22, 2017. The Act is the most sweeping tax legislation to be enacted in decades. It is broad in scope, complicated, and will impact…
Update on Endrew F.
By Arshi Pal. Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Almost a year ago, in a seminal ruling, on March 22, 2017, the Supreme Court of the United States held that school districts must provide an education “reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child’s circumstances.” The Court was clear that…
Understand Basics of New FINRA Rules to Prevent Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Loved Ones
By Stacy Sadove, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP In a positive development for seniors and individuals with disabilities, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has just approved the adoption of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 2165 (Financial Exploitation of Specified Adults). Rule 2165 allows broker-dealers to place a temporary hold on disbursements…
Effects of the New Tax Law on Estate Planning
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law by President Trump on December 22, 2017. The new law will have significant effects on estate planning. One major impact of the new law is on the gift and estate tax exemption. Previously, the exemption shielded the first $5 million in gifts during life…
New York State Commits $58.9 Million to Certified Housing Opportunities for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
By Arshi Pal, Esq., and Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate On December 18, 2017, New York State Governor, Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the State has awarded $58.9 million to 53 partner agencies, to create 83 certified residences for 459 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, in the first phase of a multi-year initiative. New…
How to Qualify for Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid are different programs. Medicare provides health insurance for people age 65 and over, and Medicaid covers care for certain low-income individuals. However, it is possible to qualify for both programs at the same time, which is known as “dual eligibility.” There are about 11 million people who are dual eligible, including many…
Board of Regents Announces Expanded Diploma Path for Students with Disabilities
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., and Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate On Monday, December 11, 2017, the New York State Board of Regents announced that they are expanding the Safety Net Option for students with disabilities to earn a local diploma. The expansion took effect on December 12, 2017 on an emergency basis, beginning with…
Mistakes to Avoid if You Are Named an Executor of an Estate
Serving as the executor of an estate is a serious responsibility that brings with it legal duties. Executors who fail to properly manage an estate can face legal consequences, including personal liability for losses. If you have been named as an executor, you should be aware of common mistakes that you should avoid. Paying the…
Holiday Wishes
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP All of us at Littman Krooks wish you a holiday season filled with joy, happiness and success. We know how difficult this season can be for those with disabilities or illnesses who are alone, sad or isolated and for their caregivers. During this time of year, especially,…
