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Medicaid Application Denials. What Comes Next?

By, Rachel Davis, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Fall 2021 As we grow older and encounter new health situations, Medicaid becomes the most effective choice of healthcare for a lot of individuals. Unfortunately, the application process can be daunting. Even with help, many applicants are rejected the first time they apply even if they may […]

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A Cooperative Alternative to Contentious Elder Law Cases

By, Sean Tenaglia, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Fall 2021   Many guardianship, conservatorship, and elder law cases are uncontested, with a mix of family members, attorneys, and legal professionals working together to ensure the wellbeing of an older individual. However, not all cases are so successful, with many cultivating hostility and tension among family […]

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The Value of Trusts and Planning in Your Life

By, Addison Morton, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Spring 2021 Preserving Your Estate for Those You Love The primary motivation for most people in planning their estates is the protection of their family. There are real benefits of planning to ensure that your estate is distributed the manner that you desire and to the people that […]

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Living in the Right Place in Your Old Age: Sorting through the Types of Housing Available for the Elderly

By ,  Keaton Schmitt , Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Spring 2021 Living in the Right Place in Your Old Age: Sorting through the Types of Housing Available for the Elderly   If you, or a loved one, is aging, it can be difficult to determine what type of elder-friendly living facility, if any, is […]

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Phishing and Smishing: How to Avoid Email or Text Scams

By ,  Caitlin Turner-Lafving, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Spring 2021 As more consumers around the world trade in flip phones for smartphones, internet-related crimes and scams are becoming more common. In 2019, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received the highest number of complaints and highest reported dollar losses since the center was established […]

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$1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan Provides Specific Provisions for Seniors

By , Ian Hutter, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Spring 2021 On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law.  Most media coverage has focused on vaccine procurement, stimulus payments, and unemployment benefits.  However, the bill also includes provisions aimed at helping aging individuals.  8 out of 10 COVID-19 deaths […]

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Coronavirus Scam Alert: Watch Out for These Three Common Scams

By , Marisa Perfetti, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Spring 2021 The coronavirus pandemic is creating new opportunities for scammers to prey on older Americans.[1] In Virginia, three of the top scams are the (1) Social Security Impersonation Scam, (2) Romance Scam, and (3) Grandparent Scam.[2] The scammers are using new variations on these tried and […]

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Conservatorships in the Time of COVID

By , Madeline Blackburn, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Spring 2021 From 2007-2008, celebrity pop star Britney Spears experienced multiple psychological breakdowns. Her mental health issues were likely the result of childhood traumas brought on by her father’s alcoholism and parental dysfunction, career-induced stress due to constant intrusions into her privacy by the paparazzi, and a […]

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Supported Decision-Making as an Alternative to Guardianship

By ,  Ella Schaltenbrand, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Fall 2020 What is Guardianship and Conservatorship?   One of the more common issues that the Elder & Disability Law Clinic assists clients with are petitions for guardianship. When a court determines that an adult is incapable of making responsible decisions (i.e. incapacitated), it will appoint a […]

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Why a Will Is Not Enough: Three More Planning Tools Everyone Needs

By ,  Nicole Pope, Elder & Disability Law Clinic Student, Fall 2020 A common misconception for many clients interested in estate planning is that they only require a will. However, a comprehensive estate plan considers not only how the client wants to distribute their personal property and other assets at death, but also how to protect their […]