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… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Special Needs
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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
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… Continue Reading
The Arc of the South Shore – Rally for Respect
The Arc of the United States and The Arc of the South Shore are calling for a National Rally for Respect to protest DreamWorks' recent release of the movie "Tropic Thunder". The film features the prominent use of the R-word and portrays people with intellectual disabilities in a disparaging way. Beginning on Wednesday, August 13,… Continue Reading
Estate Planning When Your Child is an Addict
People often consider putting an estate plan together when they are going through a crisis. But how often do they think about doing (or re-doing) their estate plan when their child is in crisis? A recent article in the Boston Globe about parents of heroin or oxycontin addicts who have formed support groups made me… Continue Reading
New Local Web-zine, with a Focus On Parkinson’s Disease
Cindy Beth Bittker, the creator of the new web-zine Hull Magazine, has put a special focus on Parkinson’s Disease in her online magazine. In addition to containing tons of information about the lovely little seaside town of Hull, the magazine also offer articles on Parkinson’s and links to Parkinson’s support groups and other resources. This… Continue Reading
A Financial Checklist for Parents of Children with Special Needs
Financial and estate planning is important for every family, but more so for those families who have children with special needs. MassMutual has a recent article on Helping to Build the Financial Future of Your Child with Special Needs, which provides a checklist for parents to consider when planning. The list includes: Investigating what government… Continue Reading