When parents are setting up a Special Needs Trust in Massachusetts for a child, one of the primary considerations is who will serve as trustee in the event that the parents can no longer fill this role. The trustee is the person who would be in charge of making decisions about money and property, making [...]
Estate planning, elder law, special needs, probate, guardianship. Leanna Hamill, Hingham
Blog
-
Leanna Hamill, Attorney at Law, P.C. provides estate planning and related legal services to clients of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older individuals and their families. -
Category Archives: Special Needs
What Does My Lawyer Need to Know?
Before I meet with clients, I send them questionnaire so they can gather information that will help us both be more productive in our meeting. In general, clients bring this paper work back in one of three ways: 1. Completely filled out with attachments and tabs, 2. Partially filled out (meaning they put their name [...]
Should You Have Co-Guardians?
When thinking about pursuing guardianship over a family member with special needs who is unable to care for themselves, many families wonder whether they should appoint co-guardians, so that there is someone in place if something happens to one of the guardians. Here are some of the benefits to having co-guardians: Someone is available if [...]
Resource For Parents of Children With Special Needs
My Texas colleague, Pamela Parker, has written a workbook for parents to help you create a “personal instruction manual for your special needs child.” As Pamela writes, the workbook helps parents provide information about their special needs child to future caregivers and trustees. By using the charts and answering the questions in this workbook, parents [...]
Action Item – Start Writing Your Letter of Intent
Some people get overwhelmed with the idea of getting their affairs in order and as a result find it easier to do nothing. To help people with that inertia, I'll be posting weekly Action Items – little steps that take an hour or less that will move you forward in the process and make it [...]
Living Wills for Children, or “I Want My Pepsi Now”
Many many years ago, before I was born, a beloved young cousin in my family was sick, and dying of leukemia. Towards the end of his life, there was a sign above his bed that said "nothing by mouth," meaning he should not have anything to eat or drink as he was getting his nutrition [...]
When Your Child With Special Needs Turns 18 – Guardianship is Not the Only Option
I often receive calls from parents who are challenged by their children’s mental health, emotional, or behavioral needs, and those children are turning 18 soon. "I need a guardianship over my son, he's turning 18." As I talk to the parents I find out that the son is in mainstream school, holds down a job [...]
Letters of Intent for Parents of Children with Special Needs
I've written before about the importance of maintaining records for your children, and especially those children who have special needs, so that if a guardian is ever needed there will be complete records available for whoever will be taking over their care. While medical records are important, equally important to include in the letter of [...]
Financially Preparing for Kids With Special Needs
The following US News & World Report Article was brought to my attention by fellow attorney Steve Worrell, who posted it on his Georgia Wills Law Blog. Regardless of what state you live in, it is important to work with an attorney who can help you put a plan in place for your family which [...]
Project Lifesaver Comes to Hingham
Today's Hingham Journal reported that the Hingham Police and Fire Departments are now offering Project Lifesaver, a program that can locate a wandering child or adult. The adults or children who are at risk for wandering, either because of dementia, autism or other conditions, wear a tamper-proof bracelet which contains a tracking device. The device [...]
Leanna@HamillLawOffice.com | 160 Old Derby St., Suite 456 | Hingham, Ma 02043 | Phone: 781.749.2284 | Fax: 866.573.6429
Advertising. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, this web site must be labeled "advertising." It is designed to provide general information for clients and friends of the firm and should not be construed as legal advice, or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. By using this site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Leanna Hamill is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts only.
Advertising. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, this web site must be labeled "advertising." It is designed to provide general information for clients and friends of the firm and should not be construed as legal advice, or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. By using this site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Leanna Hamill is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts only.