practice group message helping the meadows hand · 2015-06-01 · the meadows 161 worcester road,...
TRANSCRIPT
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uild
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SPEC
IAL
NEE
DS
PR
AC
TIC
E G
ROU
PFr
eder
ick
M. M
isilo
, Jr.,
Esq
.Pr
actic
e G
roup
Lead
erRi
char
d C.
Bar
ry, J
r., E
sq.
Luci
lle B
. Bre
nnan
, Esq
.Ro
bert
F. D
ore,
Jr.,
Esq.
Dav
id C
. Gua
rino,
Esq
.M
aris
a W
. Hig
gins
, Esq
.G
eoffr
ey M
. Mis
ilo, E
sq.
Lisa
M. N
eele
y, E
sq.
Ther
esa
M. V
arne
t, Es
q.Ca
rol B
. Law
renc
eD
irect
or o
f Tru
st S
ervi
ces
Jean
ne T
olom
eoG
eria
tric C
are
Man
ager
Dan
ielle
Heb
ert
Adm
inist
rativ
e A
ssist
ant
Lain
ie P
etro
uAd
min
istra
tive
Ass
istan
tW
ilma
Valle
jos
Adm
inist
rativ
e A
ssist
ant
EARL
Y IN
TER
VEN
TIO
NSp
ecia
l Nee
ds P
lann
ing
Med
ical
Mal
prac
tice
SCH
OO
L A
GE
Spec
ial E
duca
tion
Adv
ocac
yTr
ansi
tion
to A
dult
Serv
ices
Spec
ial N
eeds
Pla
nnin
gG
uard
ians
hip
and
Alte
rnat
ives
AD
ULT
Spec
ial N
eeds
Pla
nnin
gA
dult
Serv
ice
Adv
ocac
ySp
ecia
l Nee
ds T
rust
Adm
in.
Gua
rdia
nshi
p an
d A
ltern
ativ
es
EXT
END
ED F
AM
ILY
Spec
ial N
eeds
Pla
nnin
gEl
der L
awM
assH
ealth
Pla
nnin
g
PRO
BAT
E A
ND
FA
MIL
Y C
OU
RT P
RAC
TIC
EEs
tate
Pla
nnin
g Pe
titio
nsA
dult
Supp
ort P
etiti
ons
Gua
rdia
nshi
p/Co
nser
vato
rshi
p
ww
w.fl
etch
ertil
ton.
com
New
law
s affe
ctin
g th
e in
tere
sts o
f ind
ivid
uals
with
in
telle
ctua
l and
dev
elop
men
tal
disa
bilit
ies h
ave
been
sign
ed
into
law
by
Mas
sach
uset
ts
Gov
erno
r Dev
al P
atric
k th
is
sum
mer
. A th
orou
gh u
pdat
e of
thes
e ne
w la
ws w
ill
be p
rese
nted
at o
ur A
nnua
l Spe
cial
Nee
ds B
riefin
g fo
r Cer
tified
Fin
anci
al P
lann
ers b
eing
hel
d on
Tu
esda
y, S
epte
mbe
r 16t
h, 2
014
and
at th
e an
nual
Sp
ecia
l Nee
ds T
rust
Adm
inis
tratio
n Se
min
ar o
n Sa
turd
ay, N
ovem
ber 8
th, 2
014.
Her
e is
a sn
ap
shot
of t
hese
far r
each
ing
new
law
s:
1. R
eal L
ives
Leg
isla
tion:
Thi
s leg
isla
tion
expa
nds t
he a
bilit
y of
peo
ple
to d
ecid
e w
here
an
d w
ith w
hom
they
wan
t to
live
and
wor
k by
al
low
ing
them
to se
lf-di
rect
thei
r DD
S (D
ept.
of D
evel
opm
enta
l Ser
vice
s) se
rvic
e do
llars
. Th
e st
atut
e m
akes
per
son-
cent
ered
pol
icie
s and
pr
oced
ures
an
inhe
rent
feat
ure
ther
eby
supp
ortin
g of
self-
dete
rmin
atio
n. T
he in
divi
dual
or f
amily
w
ill b
e ab
le u
se p
ublic
fund
s mor
e fle
xibl
y w
ithin
cer
tain
gui
delin
es a
nd c
an b
e as
sist
ed b
y fa
cilit
ator
s and
/or fi
scal
inte
rmed
iarie
s to
deve
lop
serv
ices
.
2. O
mni
bus A
utis
m L
egis
latio
n: T
his l
egis
latio
n re
esta
blis
hes t
he A
utis
m C
omm
issi
on a
s a
perm
anen
t and
aut
onom
ous e
ntity
, sta
ff in
clud
ed.
The
bill
crea
tes t
wo
spec
ific
area
s dire
cted
to
stud
y - t
he lo
ng-te
rm n
eeds
for h
ousi
ng a
nd
empl
oym
ent -
in a
dditi
on to
the
area
s of s
tudy
an
d re
com
men
datio
ns p
revi
ousl
y co
vere
d by
the
com
mis
sion
. Mos
t im
porta
ntly
, DD
S is
requ
ired
to in
clud
e in
its e
ligib
ility
gui
delin
es th
e fe
dera
l de
finiti
on o
f dev
elop
men
tal d
isab
ility
for p
eopl
e on
the
autis
m sp
ectru
m a
nd th
ose
with
Pra
der-
Will
i. Th
is is
a si
gnifi
cant
cha
nge
as it
will
ass
ist
man
y w
hose
func
tiona
l nee
ds a
re n
ot re
flect
ed
by th
eir I
Q sc
ore
and
who
are
now
den
ied
acce
ss
to D
DS
serv
ices
. Hea
lth in
sura
nce
cove
rage
for
med
ical
ly n
eces
sary
trea
tmen
ts to
Mas
s Hea
lth
reci
pien
ts fo
r AB
A b
ehav
ior t
hera
py a
nd b
oth
dedi
cate
d an
d no
n-de
dica
ted
augm
enta
tive
com
mun
icat
ion
devi
ces w
ill n
ow b
e fu
nded
for
thos
e th
roug
h ag
e 21
yea
rs. A
lso,
pub
lic sc
hool
sp
ecia
l edu
catio
n te
ache
rs n
ow h
ave
the
optio
n to
at
tain
an
“Aut
ism
End
orse
men
t” c
ertifi
catio
n - a
co
ncen
tratio
n in
aut
ism
cou
rsew
ork
and
train
ing
to b
e le
ader
s with
in th
eir s
choo
l com
mun
ities
. In
add
ition
, the
legi
slat
ion
auth
oriz
es a
tax-
free
sa
ving
s acc
ount
pat
tern
ed a
fter t
he fe
dera
l AB
LE
AC
T le
gisl
atio
n –
to a
llow
all
disa
bled
fam
ilies
to
save
in a
529
-sty
le p
lan
for e
xpen
ses i
nclu
ding
ed
ucat
ion,
hou
sing
, and
any
oth
er n
eede
d su
ppor
ts a
nd se
rvic
es. T
his s
ectio
n w
ill n
ot ta
ke
effe
ct im
med
iate
ly d
ue to
the
need
for f
eder
al
parti
cipa
tion.
3.
Nat
iona
l Cri
min
al B
ackg
roun
d C
heck
Le
gisl
atio
n: T
his l
egis
latio
n re
quire
s tha
t any
one
who
has
pot
entia
l for
uns
uper
vise
d co
ntac
t with
a
clie
nt o
f DD
S su
bmit
thei
r fing
erpr
ints
to b
e ch
ecke
d ag
ains
t a n
atio
nal c
rimin
al d
atab
ase.
Th
e la
w c
over
s DD
S em
ploy
ees a
s wel
l as D
DS
prov
ider
s. Pr
evio
usly
, DD
S an
d D
DS
prov
ider
ag
enci
es w
ere
only
requ
ired
to c
ondu
ct st
atew
ide
crim
inal
his
tory
che
cks,
but n
o na
tiona
l che
ck,
whi
ch m
eant
that
an
appl
ican
t’s c
rimin
al re
cord
ou
tsid
e of
MA
was
not
pre
viou
sly
iden
tified
. Sp
ecia
l rec
ogni
tion
goes
to A
ttorn
ey G
eoff
Mis
ilo
of F
T’s S
peci
al N
eeds
Pla
nnin
g an
d A
dvoc
acy
Gro
up fo
r his
pro
bon
o w
ork
on th
is le
gisl
atio
n.
4. U
nifo
rm G
uard
ians
hip
Juri
sdic
tion
Legi
slat
ion:
Thi
s leg
isla
tion
enac
ts th
e U
nifo
rm
Gua
rdia
nshi
p Ju
risdi
ctio
n A
ct in
to M
assa
chus
etts
la
w. It
will
allo
w in
divi
dual
gua
rdia
nshi
ps to
tra
nsfe
r to
othe
r sta
tes t
hat h
ave
enac
ted
the
legi
slat
ion.
Und
er p
revi
ous l
aw, r
eloc
atio
n to
an
othe
r sta
te re
quire
d a
new
gua
rdia
nshi
p pe
titio
n in
that
new
stat
e. In
stea
d, th
is n
ew la
w a
llow
s a
trans
fer o
f jur
isdi
ctio
n so
the
guar
dian
ship
is
actu
ally
tran
sfer
red
to th
e ne
w st
ate
with
out t
he
requ
irem
ent o
f a n
ew p
etiti
on a
nd su
bseq
uent
ju
ridic
al a
ctio
n. T
his w
ill re
sult
in e
asie
r m
oves
acr
oss s
tate
line
s for
love
d on
es u
nder
gu
ardi
ansh
ip. F
T
To c
onta
ct m
e on
thes
e or
any
oth
er re
late
d
issue
s, m
y di
rect
line
is 5
08-4
59-8
059
and
my
em
ail a
ddre
ss is
Help
ing H
and
SUM
MER
20
14
A Co
mm
itmen
t th
at La
sts
a Life
time
PRA
CTIC
E G
ROU
P M
ESSA
GE
By Fr
eder
ick
M. M
isilo
, Jr.
CONTENTS Practice Group Message ......................................................................... 1Special Needs Trust Management Guide Now Available ................2Save the Date - Annual Special Needs Trust Training ...................... 2Upcoming Seminars ................................................................................ 3Coming of Age in Massachusetts Resource Guide ............................ 3
HELPING HANDAn Update from the Special Needs Practice Group
SUMMER 2014
PRES
ORT
EDST
AN
DA
RDU
.S. P
OST
AG
EPA
IDW
ORC
ESTE
R, M
APE
RMIT
NO
. 852
The
Gua
rant
y Bu
ildin
g37
0 M
ain
Stre
et, 1
2th
Floo
r W
orce
ster
, MA
016
08-1
779
The
Flet
cher
Tilt
on S
peci
al N
eeds
Pra
ctic
e G
roup
pro
vide
s le
gal
coun
selin
g,
advo
cacy
an
d in
nova
tive
solu
tions
on
be
half
of
indi
vidu
als
with
diff
erin
g ab
ilitie
s an
d th
eir
fam
ilies
. W
e st
rive
to s
erve
as
a re
liabl
e, t
rust
ed a
dvis
or c
omm
itted
to
prov
idin
g ex
celle
nt s
ervi
ce t
o ou
r cl
ient
s th
roug
hout
the
ir lif
etim
e. W
e re
cogn
ize
the
impo
rtan
ce o
f tre
atin
g ou
r clie
nts
with
resp
ect a
nd
dign
ity.
Adv
ertis
ing:
The
con
tent
s of
thi
s ne
wsl
ette
r ar
e di
strib
uted
for
in
form
atio
nal
purp
oses
on
ly
and
may
co
nstit
ute
adve
rtis
ing
purs
uant
to M
assa
chus
etts
Sup
rem
e Ju
dici
al C
ourt
Rul
e 3:
07.
Att
orne
y-Cl
ient
Rel
atio
nshi
p: R
eque
stin
g al
erts
, ne
wsl
ette
rs o
r in
vita
tions
to
educ
atio
nal s
emin
ars
does
not
cre
ate
an a
ttor
ney-
clie
nt r
elat
ions
hip
with
Fle
tche
r Ti
lton
PC o
r an
y of
the
firm
’s at
torn
eys.
An
invi
tatio
n to
con
tact
the
firm
is n
ot a
sol
icita
tion
to
prov
ide
prof
essi
onal
ser
vice
s an
d sh
ould
not
be
cons
true
d as
a
stat
emen
t as
to th
e av
aila
bilit
y of
any
of o
ur a
ttor
neys
to p
erfo
rm
lega
l se
rvic
es i
n an
y ju
risdi
ctio
n in
whi
ch s
uch
atto
rney
is
not
perm
itted
to p
ract
ice.
Worcester • Framingham • Cape Cod | www.fletchertilton.comFind us on Facebook
VIS
IT U
S TO
DAY
TO
FIN
D O
UT
MO
RE!
The Guaranty Building370 Main Street, 12th Floor Worcester, MA 01608-1779tel 508.459.8000 fax 508.459.8300
The Meadows161 Worcester Road, Suite 501 Framingham, MA 01701-5315tel 508.532.3500 fax 508.532.3100
Cape Cod1597 Falmouth Road, Suite 3 Centerville, MA 02632tel 508.815.2500 fax 508.459.8300
SPECIAL NEEDS PRACTICE GROUPFrederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq.Practice Group LeaderRichard C. Barry, Jr., Esq.Lucille B. Brennan, Esq.Robert F. Dore, Jr., Esq.David C. Guarino, Esq.Marisa W. Higgins, Esq.Geoffrey M. Misilo, Esq.Lisa M. Neeley, Esq.Theresa M. Varnet, Esq.Carol B. LawrenceDirector of Trust ServicesJeanne TolomeoGeriatric Care ManagerDanielle HebertAdministrative AssistantLainie PetrouAdministrative AssistantWilma VallejosAdministrative Assistant
EARLY INTERVENTIONSpecial Needs PlanningMedical Malpractice
SCHOOL AGESpecial Education AdvocacyTransition to Adult ServicesSpecial Needs PlanningGuardianship and Alternatives
ADULTSpecial Needs PlanningAdult Service AdvocacySpecial Needs Trust Admin.Guardianship and Alternatives
EXTENDED FAMILYSpecial Needs PlanningElder LawMassHealth Planning
PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT PRACTICEEstate Planning PetitionsAdult Support PetitionsGuardianship/Conservatorship
www.fletchertilton.com
New laws affecting the interests of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been signed into law by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick this
summer. A thorough update of these new laws will be presented at our Annual Special Needs Briefing for Certified Financial Planners being held on Tuesday, September 16th, 2014 and at the annual Special Needs Trust Administration Seminar on Saturday, November 8th, 2014. Here is a snap shot of these far reaching new laws:
1. Real Lives Legislation: This legislation expands the ability of people to decide where and with whom they want to live and work by allowing them to self-direct their DDS (Dept. of Developmental Services) service dollars. The statute makes person-centered policies and procedures an inherent feature thereby supporting of self-determination. The individual or family will be able use public funds more flexibly within certain guidelines and can be assisted by facilitators and/or fiscal intermediaries to develop services.
2. Omnibus Autism Legislation: This legislation reestablishes the Autism Commission as a permanent and autonomous entity, staff included. The bill creates two specific areas directed to study - the long-term needs for housing and employment - in addition to the areas of study and recommendations previously covered by the commission. Most importantly, DDS is required to include in its eligibility guidelines the federal definition of developmental disability for people on the autism spectrum and those with Prader-Willi. This is a significant change as it will assist many whose functional needs are not reflected by their IQ score and who are now denied access to DDS services. Health insurance coverage for medically necessary treatments to Mass Health recipients for ABA behavior therapy and both dedicated and non-dedicated augmentative communication devices will now be funded for
those through age 21 years. Also, public school special education teachers now have the option to attain an “Autism Endorsement” certification - a concentration in autism coursework and training to be leaders within their school communities. In addition, the legislation authorizes a tax-free savings account patterned after the federal ABLE ACT legislation – to allow all disabled families to save in a 529-style plan for expenses including education, housing, and any other needed supports and services. This section will not take effect immediately due to the need for federal participation.
3. National Criminal Background Check Legislation: This legislation requires that anyone who has potential for unsupervised contact with a client of DDS submit their fingerprints to be checked against a national criminal database. The law covers DDS employees as well as DDS providers. Previously, DDS and DDS provider agencies were only required to conduct statewide criminal history checks, but no national check, which meant that an applicant’s criminal record outside of MA was not previously identified. Special recognition goes to Attorney Geoff Misilo of FT’s Special Needs Planning and Advocacy Group for his pro bono work on this legislation.
4. Uniform Guardianship Jurisdiction Legislation: This legislation enacts the Uniform Guardianship Jurisdiction Act into Massachusetts law. It will allow individual guardianships to transfer to other states that have enacted the legislation. Under previous law, relocation to another state required a new guardianship petition in that new state. Instead, this new law allows a transfer of jurisdiction so the guardianship is actually transferred to the new state without the requirement of a new petition and subsequent juridical action. This will result in easier moves across state lines for loved ones under guardianship. FT
To contact me on these or any other related issues, my direct line is 508-459-8059 and my email address is [email protected].
Helping HandSUMMER 2014
A Commitment that Lasts a Lifetime
PRACTICE GROUP MESSAGEBy Frederick M. Misilo, Jr.
CO
NT
ENT
S Practice G
roup Message .........................................................................1
Special Needs Trust M
anagement G
uide Now
Available ................2
Save the Date - A
nnual Special Needs Trust Training ...................... 2
Upcom
ing Seminars ................................................................................ 3
Coming of A
ge in Massachusetts Resource G
uide ............................ 3
HE
LPING
HA
ND
An U
pdate from the Special N
eeds Practice Group
SUM
MER
2014
PRESORTEDSTANDARD
U.S. POSTAGEPAID
WORCESTER, MAPERMIT NO. 852
The Guaranty Building370 Main Street, 12th Floor Worcester, MA 01608-1779
The Fletcher Tilton Special Needs Practice Group provides legal counseling, advocacy and innovative solutions on behalf of individuals with differing abilities and their families. We strive to serve as a reliable, trusted advisor committed to providing excellent service to our clients throughout their lifetime. We recognize the importance of treating our clients with respect and dignity.
Advertising: The contents of this newsletter are distributed for informational purposes only and may constitute advertising pursuant to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:07.
Attorney-Client Relationship: Requesting alerts, newsletters or invitations to educational seminars does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fletcher Tilton PC or any of the firm’s attorneys. An invitation to contact the firm is not a solicitation to provide professional services and should not be construed as a statement as to the availability of any of our attorneys to perform legal services in any jurisdiction in which such attorney is not permitted to practice.
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ingham • Cape Cod | w
ww
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2 3
NOW AVAILABLE, OUR RESOURCE GUIDE TO SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST MANAGEMENT
UPCOMING SEMINARSSPECIAL NEEDS BRIEFING FOR MA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERSSeptember 16, 2014Speakers: Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq., Theresa M. Varnet, Esq. David Guarino, Esq.Location: Sheraton Hotel, Framingham
LIFELONG PLANNING FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDSSeptember 17, 2014 Speaker: Theresa M. Varnet, Esq. Location: Seaport Inn & Marina, Fairhaven, MA
BRIDGEWELL - LIVING LONGER: AGING WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY CONFERENCE September 18, 2014Fletcher Tilton Special Needs Practice Group Location: Sheraton Hotel, Framingham, MA
TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO ADULT LIFE: CREATING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE September 20, 2014 Speaker: Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq. Location: Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
SHARED LIVING CONFERENCESeptember 30, 2014Speaker: Geoffrey M. Misilo, Esq. Location: Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
ANNUAL SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST SEMINARNovember 8, 2014Fletcher Tilton Special Needs Practice Group Location: Courtyard Marriott, Marlborough, MA
To arrange a seminar by a representative of the Elder Law and Special Needs Practice Group, contact Fred Misilo at 508-459-8059 or [email protected].
1
Unique issues involving the management of first party and third party special needs trusts.
by Theresa M. Varnet, Esq.
Special Needs Trust ManagementA legAl ResouRce guide
SNT Management Bro.indd 1 3/28/2014 3:04:54 PM
Written by Theresa M. Varnet, this guide concentrates on the unique trust management issues involved with the management of first party and third party special needs trusts.
In addition to basic trust management principles, trustees of special needs trusts need to be informed of their unique distribution rules, tax rules and funding rules. It is critical that the trustee of a special needs trust understand how important it is to properly manage a special needs trust so that the assets held in the trust and/or the manner in which distributions are made do not cause the trust to be a countable asset or the distribution to be deemed as countable income. If distributions are not made correctly, the trustee could naively sabotage an otherwise well written special needs trust.
Making this topic even more difficult is the fact that distributions from a special needs trust are treated differently depending on the type of government benefit received. Distributions may also be treated differently by various public programs if the trust is a self funded (first party) special needs trust rather than a third party funded special needs trust. This resource guide will assist the trustee in managing the special needs trust in a manner which avoids naively sabotaging the intent of an otherwise well written special needs trust to preserve needs based benefits. If you’d like to request a copy, please email us at [email protected]. It’s also available on our website at www.fletchertilton.com. FT
A legal guide for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families on transitioning to adult services by Frederick M. Misilo, Jr. Esq.
Coming of Agein MassachusettsA legAl ResouRce guide | 3Rd edition
COA New Cover.indd 1 2/4/2013 10:24:02 AM
ALSO AVAILABLE, OUR RESOURCE GUIDE TO COMING OF AGE IN MASSACHUSETTS Planning is a key ingredient in any successful journey. The journey from special education to adult services inevitably occurs due to the mere passage of time. Making that journey as smoothly and successfully as possible requires a knowledge of what to expect and being prepared to make important planning decisions. The purpose of this legal guide is to provide you with information about the journey. Hopefully you will find it helpful whether you are years away from adult services or the transition is imminent.
In this resource guide, you will find information about the legal consequences of turning 18 years old; important benefits from the state and federal governments; options to assist in personal, financial and health care decision making and the importance of special needs planning by parents and other family members.
It has been seven years since the first edition of Coming of Age was published. Since that time, we’ve worked with hundreds of families and individuals who have transitioned from the world of special education to the adult services world. In doing so, we have witnessed great triumphs where “all the pieces fit,” including obtaining needed government resources; great collaboration among interested parties including transition coordinators, parents, individuals and planners; and appropriate legal planning as described in this resource guide. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case in all instances. Government resources are still far from predictable and sufficient. Transition planning is too often treated as an afterthought. The level of frustration and anxiety is high as the age of emancipation, age 18, approaches as well as when the loss of special education entitlement looms large at age 22.
This third edition will provide some degree of direction and support to individuals and their families as they approach these two milestone dates. If you’d like to request a copy of the latest edition, please email us at [email protected]. It’s also available on our website at www.fletchertilton.com. FT
WO R C E ST E R | F R A M I N G H A M | C A P E CO D
508.459.8000 | www.fletchertilton.com
How to Administer a Special Needs Trust
A Seminar for Parents, Trustees and Successor Trustees of Special Needs Trusts and OBRA ‘93 Trusts
Save the Date
PRESENTED BY THE SPECIAL NEEDS PRACTICE GROUP AT
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY OR LOOK FOR OUR MAILER COMING EARLY THIS FALL
Saturday, November 8, 20148:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Courtyard Marriott, Marlborough, MA
✁ Cut out as a reminder to save this important date.
SPECIAL NEEDS BRIEFINGCERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS
for m
m
Coming again this fall – be sure to tell your financial planner:
Tuesday, September 16, 2014Sheraton Hotel &
Conference CenterFramingham, MA
8:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Register online Today!
CFPs Earn 3 CE Credits
One out of ten families have a need for special needs planning. This training will provide planners with practical information to share with clients.
RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER VIA EMAILSend an email to [email protected] with the subject “SNP Newsletter” and we’ll add you to our list!
2 3
NOW AVAILABLE, OUR RESOURCE GUIDE TO SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST MANAGEMENT
UPCOMING SEMINARSSPECIAL NEEDS BRIEFING FOR MA CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERSSeptember 16, 2014Speakers: Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq., Theresa M. Varnet, Esq. David Guarino, Esq.Location: Sheraton Hotel, Framingham
LIFELONG PLANNING FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDSSeptember 17, 2014 Speaker: Theresa M. Varnet, Esq. Location: Seaport Inn & Marina, Fairhaven, MA
BRIDGEWELL - LIVING LONGER: AGING WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY CONFERENCE September 18, 2014Fletcher Tilton Special Needs Practice Group Location: Sheraton Hotel, Framingham, MA
TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO ADULT LIFE: CREATING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE September 20, 2014 Speaker: Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., Esq. Location: Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
SHARED LIVING CONFERENCESeptember 30, 2014Speaker: Geoffrey M. Misilo, Esq. Location: Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
ANNUAL SPECIAL NEEDS TRUST SEMINARNovember 8, 2014Fletcher Tilton Special Needs Practice Group Location: Courtyard Marriott, Marlborough, MA
To arrange a seminar by a representative of the Elder Law and Special Needs Practice Group, contact Fred Misilo at 508-459-8059 or [email protected].
1
Unique issues involving the management of first party and third party special needs trusts.
by Theresa M. Varnet, Esq.
Special Needs Trust ManagementA legAl ResouRce guide
SNT Management Bro.indd 1 3/28/2014 3:04:54 PM
Written by Theresa M. Varnet, this guide concentrates on the unique trust management issues involved with the management of first party and third party special needs trusts.
In addition to basic trust management principles, trustees of special needs trusts need to be informed of their unique distribution rules, tax rules and funding rules. It is critical that the trustee of a special needs trust understand how important it is to properly manage a special needs trust so that the assets held in the trust and/or the manner in which distributions are made do not cause the trust to be a countable asset or the distribution to be deemed as countable income. If distributions are not made correctly, the trustee could naively sabotage an otherwise well written special needs trust.
Making this topic even more difficult is the fact that distributions from a special needs trust are treated differently depending on the type of government benefit received. Distributions may also be treated differently by various public programs if the trust is a self funded (first party) special needs trust rather than a third party funded special needs trust. This resource guide will assist the trustee in managing the special needs trust in a manner which avoids naively sabotaging the intent of an otherwise well written special needs trust to preserve needs based benefits. If you’d like to request a copy, please email us at [email protected]. It’s also available on our website at www.fletchertilton.com. FT
A legal guide for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families on transitioning to adult services by Frederick M. Misilo, Jr. Esq.
Coming of Agein MassachusettsA legAl ResouRce guide | 3Rd edition
COA New Cover.indd 1 2/4/2013 10:24:02 AM
ALSO AVAILABLE, OUR RESOURCE GUIDE TO COMING OF AGE IN MASSACHUSETTS Planning is a key ingredient in any successful journey. The journey from special education to adult services inevitably occurs due to the mere passage of time. Making that journey as smoothly and successfully as possible requires a knowledge of what to expect and being prepared to make important planning decisions. The purpose of this legal guide is to provide you with information about the journey. Hopefully you will find it helpful whether you are years away from adult services or the transition is imminent.
In this resource guide, you will find information about the legal consequences of turning 18 years old; important benefits from the state and federal governments; options to assist in personal, financial and health care decision making and the importance of special needs planning by parents and other family members.
It has been seven years since the first edition of Coming of Age was published. Since that time, we’ve worked with hundreds of families and individuals who have transitioned from the world of special education to the adult services world. In doing so, we have witnessed great triumphs where “all the pieces fit,” including obtaining needed government resources; great collaboration among interested parties including transition coordinators, parents, individuals and planners; and appropriate legal planning as described in this resource guide. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case in all instances. Government resources are still far from predictable and sufficient. Transition planning is too often treated as an afterthought. The level of frustration and anxiety is high as the age of emancipation, age 18, approaches as well as when the loss of special education entitlement looms large at age 22.
This third edition will provide some degree of direction and support to individuals and their families as they approach these two milestone dates. If you’d like to request a copy of the latest edition, please email us at [email protected]. It’s also available on our website at www.fletchertilton.com. FT
WO R C E ST E R | F R A M I N G H A M | C A P E CO D
508.459.8000 | www.fletchertilton.com
How to Administer a Special Needs Trust
A Seminar for Parents, Trustees and Successor Trustees of Special Needs Trusts and OBRA ‘93 Trusts
Save the Date
PRESENTED BY THE SPECIAL NEEDS PRACTICE GROUP AT
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY OR LOOK FOR OUR MAILER COMING EARLY THIS FALL
Saturday, November 8, 20148:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Courtyard Marriott, Marlborough, MA
✁ Cut out as a reminder to save this important date.
SPECIAL NEEDS BRIEFINGCERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS
for m
m
Coming again this fall – be sure to tell your financial planner:
Tuesday, September 16, 2014Sheraton Hotel &
Conference CenterFramingham, MA
8:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Register online Today!
CFPs Earn 3 CE Credits
One out of ten families have a need for special needs planning. This training will provide planners with practical information to share with clients.
The
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SPEC
IAL
NEE
DS
PR
AC
TIC
E G
ROU
PFr
eder
ick
M. M
isilo
, Jr.,
Esq
.Pr
actic
e G
roup
Lead
erRi
char
d C.
Bar
ry, J
r., E
sq.
Luci
lle B
. Bre
nnan
, Esq
.Ro
bert
F. D
ore,
Jr.,
Esq.
Dav
id C
. Gua
rino,
Esq
.M
aris
a W
. Hig
gins
, Esq
.G
eoffr
ey M
. Mis
ilo, E
sq.
Lisa
M. N
eele
y, E
sq.
Ther
esa
M. V
arne
t, Es
q.Ca
rol B
. Law
renc
eD
irect
or o
f Tru
st S
ervi
ces
Jean
ne T
olom
eoG
eria
tric C
are
Man
ager
Dan
ielle
Heb
ert
Adm
inist
rativ
e A
ssist
ant
Lain
ie P
etro
uAd
min
istra
tive
Ass
istan
tW
ilma
Valle
jos
Adm
inist
rativ
e A
ssist
ant
EARL
Y IN
TER
VEN
TIO
NSp
ecia
l Nee
ds P
lann
ing
Med
ical
Mal
prac
tice
SCH
OO
L A
GE
Spec
ial E
duca
tion
Adv
ocac
yTr
ansi
tion
to A
dult
Serv
ices
Spec
ial N
eeds
Pla
nnin
gG
uard
ians
hip
and
Alte
rnat
ives
AD
ULT
Spec
ial N
eeds
Pla
nnin
gA
dult
Serv
ice
Adv
ocac
ySp
ecia
l Nee
ds T
rust
Adm
in.
Gua
rdia
nshi
p an
d A
ltern
ativ
es
EXT
END
ED F
AM
ILY
Spec
ial N
eeds
Pla
nnin
gEl
der L
awM
assH
ealth
Pla
nnin
g
PRO
BAT
E A
ND
FA
MIL
Y C
OU
RT P
RAC
TIC
EEs
tate
Pla
nnin
g Pe
titio
nsA
dult
Supp
ort P
etiti
ons
Gua
rdia
nshi
p/Co
nser
vato
rshi
p
ww
w.fl
etch
ertil
ton.
com
New
law
s affe
ctin
g th
e in
tere
sts o
f ind
ivid
uals
with
in
telle
ctua
l and
dev
elop
men
tal
disa
bilit
ies h
ave
been
sign
ed
into
law
by
Mas
sach
uset
ts
Gov
erno
r Dev
al P
atric
k th
is
sum
mer
. A th
orou
gh u
pdat
e of
thes
e ne
w la
ws w
ill
be p
rese
nted
at o
ur A
nnua
l Spe
cial
Nee
ds B
riefin
g fo
r Cer
tified
Fin
anci
al P
lann
ers b
eing
hel
d on
Tu
esda
y, S
epte
mbe
r 16t
h, 2
014
and
at th
e an
nual
Sp
ecia
l Nee
ds T
rust
Adm
inis
tratio
n Se
min
ar o
n Sa
turd
ay, N
ovem
ber 8
th, 2
014.
Her
e is
a sn
ap
shot
of t
hese
far r
each
ing
new
law
s:
1. R
eal L
ives
Leg
isla
tion:
Thi
s leg
isla
tion
expa
nds t
he a
bilit
y of
peo
ple
to d
ecid
e w
here
an
d w
ith w
hom
they
wan
t to
live
and
wor
k by
al
low
ing
them
to se
lf-di
rect
thei
r DD
S (D
ept.
of D
evel
opm
enta
l Ser
vice
s) se
rvic
e do
llars
. Th
e st
atut
e m
akes
per
son-
cent
ered
pol
icie
s and
pr
oced
ures
an
inhe
rent
feat
ure
ther
eby
supp
ortin
g of
self-
dete
rmin
atio
n. T
he in
divi
dual
or f
amily
w
ill b
e ab
le u
se p
ublic
fund
s mor
e fle
xibl
y w
ithin
cer
tain
gui
delin
es a
nd c
an b
e as
sist
ed b
y fa
cilit
ator
s and
/or fi
scal
inte
rmed
iarie
s to
deve
lop
serv
ices
.
2. O
mni
bus A
utis
m L
egis
latio
n: T
his l
egis
latio
n re
esta
blis
hes t
he A
utis
m C
omm
issi
on a
s a
perm
anen
t and
aut
onom
ous e
ntity
, sta
ff in
clud
ed.
The
bill
crea
tes t
wo
spec
ific
area
s dire
cted
to
stud
y - t
he lo
ng-te
rm n
eeds
for h
ousi
ng a
nd
empl
oym
ent -
in a
dditi
on to
the
area
s of s
tudy
an
d re
com
men
datio
ns p
revi
ousl
y co
vere
d by
the
com
mis
sion
. Mos
t im
porta
ntly
, DD
S is
requ
ired
to in
clud
e in
its e
ligib
ility
gui
delin
es th
e fe
dera
l de
finiti
on o
f dev
elop
men
tal d
isab
ility
for p
eopl
e on
the
autis
m sp
ectru
m a
nd th
ose
with
Pra
der-
Will
i. Th
is is
a si
gnifi
cant
cha
nge
as it
will
ass
ist
man
y w
hose
func
tiona
l nee
ds a
re n
ot re
flect
ed
by th
eir I
Q sc
ore
and
who
are
now
den
ied
acce
ss
to D
DS
serv
ices
. Hea
lth in
sura
nce
cove
rage
for
med
ical
ly n
eces
sary
trea
tmen
ts to
Mas
s Hea
lth
reci
pien
ts fo
r AB
A b
ehav
ior t
hera
py a
nd b
oth
dedi
cate
d an
d no
n-de
dica
ted
augm
enta
tive
com
mun
icat
ion
devi
ces w
ill n
ow b
e fu
nded
for
thos
e th
roug
h ag
e 21
yea
rs. A
lso,
pub
lic sc
hool
sp
ecia
l edu
catio
n te
ache
rs n
ow h
ave
the
optio
n to
at
tain
an
“Aut
ism
End
orse
men
t” c
ertifi
catio
n - a
co
ncen
tratio
n in
aut
ism
cou
rsew
ork
and
train
ing
to b
e le
ader
s with
in th
eir s
choo
l com
mun
ities
. In
add
ition
, the
legi
slat
ion
auth
oriz
es a
tax-
free
sa
ving
s acc
ount
pat
tern
ed a
fter t
he fe
dera
l AB
LE
AC
T le
gisl
atio
n –
to a
llow
all
disa
bled
fam
ilies
to
save
in a
529
-sty
le p
lan
for e
xpen
ses i
nclu
ding
ed
ucat
ion,
hou
sing
, and
any
oth
er n
eede
d su
ppor
ts a
nd se
rvic
es. T
his s
ectio
n w
ill n
ot ta
ke
effe
ct im
med
iate
ly d
ue to
the
need
for f
eder
al
parti
cipa
tion.
3.
Nat
iona
l Cri
min
al B
ackg
roun
d C
heck
Le
gisl
atio
n: T
his l
egis
latio
n re
quire
s tha
t any
one
who
has
pot
entia
l for
uns
uper
vise
d co
ntac
t with
a
clie
nt o
f DD
S su
bmit
thei
r fing
erpr
ints
to b
e ch
ecke
d ag
ains
t a n
atio
nal c
rimin
al d
atab
ase.
Th
e la
w c
over
s DD
S em
ploy
ees a
s wel
l as D
DS
prov
ider
s. Pr
evio
usly
, DD
S an
d D
DS
prov
ider
ag
enci
es w
ere
only
requ
ired
to c
ondu
ct st
atew
ide
crim
inal
his
tory
che
cks,
but n
o na
tiona
l che
ck,
whi
ch m
eant
that
an
appl
ican
t’s c
rimin
al re
cord
ou
tsid
e of
MA
was
not
pre
viou
sly
iden
tified
. Sp
ecia
l rec
ogni
tion
goes
to A
ttorn
ey G
eoff
Mis
ilo
of F
T’s S
peci
al N
eeds
Pla
nnin
g an
d A
dvoc
acy
Gro
up fo
r his
pro
bon
o w
ork
on th
is le
gisl
atio
n.
4. U
nifo
rm G
uard
ians
hip
Juri
sdic
tion
Legi
slat
ion:
Thi
s leg
isla
tion
enac
ts th
e U
nifo
rm
Gua
rdia
nshi
p Ju
risdi
ctio
n A
ct in
to M
assa
chus
etts
la
w. It
will
allo
w in
divi
dual
gua
rdia
nshi
ps to
tra
nsfe
r to
othe
r sta
tes t
hat h
ave
enac
ted
the
legi
slat
ion.
Und
er p
revi
ous l
aw, r
eloc
atio
n to
an
othe
r sta
te re
quire
d a
new
gua
rdia
nshi
p pe
titio
n in
that
new
stat
e. In
stea
d, th
is n
ew la
w a
llow
s a
trans
fer o
f jur
isdi
ctio
n so
the
guar
dian
ship
is
actu
ally
tran
sfer
red
to th
e ne
w st
ate
with
out t
he
requ
irem
ent o
f a n
ew p
etiti
on a
nd su
bseq
uent
ju
ridic
al a
ctio
n. T
his w
ill re
sult
in e
asie
r m
oves
acr
oss s
tate
line
s for
love
d on
es u
nder
gu
ardi
ansh
ip. F
T
To c
onta
ct m
e on
thes
e or
any
oth
er re
late
d
issue
s, m
y di
rect
line
is 5
08-4
59-8
059
and
my
em
ail a
ddre
ss is
Help
ing H
and
SUM
MER
20
14
A Co
mm
itmen
t th
at La
sts
a Life
time
PRA
CTIC
E G
ROU
P M
ESSA
GE
By Fr
eder
ick
M. M
isilo
, Jr.
CONTENTS Practice Group Message ......................................................................... 1Special Needs Trust Management Guide Now Available ................2Save the Date - Annual Special Needs Trust Training ...................... 2Upcoming Seminars ................................................................................ 3Coming of Age in Massachusetts Resource Guide ............................ 3
HELPING HANDAn Update from the Special Needs Practice Group
SUMMER 2014PR
ESO
RTED
STA
ND
ARD
U.S
. PO
STA
GE
PAID
WO
RCES
TER,
MA
PERM
IT N
O. 8
52
The
Gua
rant
y Bu
ildin
g37
0 M
ain
Stre
et, 1
2th
Floo
r W
orce
ster
, MA
016
08-1
779
The
Flet
cher
Tilt
on S
peci
al N
eeds
Pra
ctic
e G
roup
pro
vide
s le
gal
coun
selin
g,
advo
cacy
an
d in
nova
tive
solu
tions
on
be
half
of
indi
vidu
als
with
diff
erin
g ab
ilitie
s an
d th
eir
fam
ilies
. W
e st
rive
to s
erve
as
a re
liabl
e, t
rust
ed a
dvis
or c
omm
itted
to
prov
idin
g ex
celle
nt s
ervi
ce t
o ou
r cl
ient
s th
roug
hout
the
ir lif
etim
e. W
e re
cogn
ize
the
impo
rtan
ce o
f tre
atin
g ou
r clie
nts
with
resp
ect a
nd
dign
ity.
Adv
ertis
ing:
The
con
tent
s of
thi
s ne
wsl
ette
r ar
e di
strib
uted
for
in
form
atio
nal
purp
oses
on
ly
and
may
co
nstit
ute
adve
rtis
ing
purs
uant
to M
assa
chus
etts
Sup
rem
e Ju
dici
al C
ourt
Rul
e 3:
07.
Att
orne
y-Cl
ient
Rel
atio
nshi
p: R
eque
stin
g al
erts
, ne
wsl
ette
rs o
r in
vita
tions
to
educ
atio
nal s
emin
ars
does
not
cre
ate
an a
ttor
ney-
clie
nt r
elat
ions
hip
with
Fle
tche
r Ti
lton
PC o
r an
y of
the
firm
’s at
torn
eys.
An
invi
tatio
n to
con
tact
the
firm
is n
ot a
sol
icita
tion
to
prov
ide
prof
essi
onal
ser
vice
s an
d sh
ould
not
be
cons
true
d as
a
stat
emen
t as
to th
e av
aila
bilit
y of
any
of o
ur a
ttor
neys
to p
erfo
rm
lega
l se
rvic
es i
n an
y ju
risdi
ctio
n in
whi
ch s
uch
atto
rney
is
not
perm
itted
to p
ract
ice.
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