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Law Office of
Eric M. Kearney, LLC
Guardianship | Medicaid | Special Needs
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Year-End Gifts to Family Members With Special Needs
Here are some things to consider when making holiday gifts to family members who are on public benefits.
Eric Kearney
Nov 14, 20193 min read
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Gift Cards: A New Way to Contribute to ABLE Accounts
A Gift of Independence gift card is a new way to honor, celebrate, reward or support a member of your family, a friend, a co-worker or a nei
Eric Kearney
Jun 4, 20192 min read
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Invite Others to Contribute to the SNT
A standalone third party trust can be a great opportunity for other family members to make a lifetime (or testamentary) contribution to a di
Eric Kearney
May 9, 20192 min read
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IRA Distributions to Special Needs Trusts - Minimizing Income Taxes
For many parents, the majority of their savings is held in some kind of a retirement account, often an Individual Retirement Account...
Eric Kearney
Apr 10, 20193 min read
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What Can a Special Needs Trust Pay For?
A special needs trust is designed to provide a person with a disability the funds to enhance her quality of life while at the same time...
Eric Kearney
Feb 16, 20192 min read
107 views
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Pooled Trusts: Should You Consider Taking a Dip?
Most special needs trusts (SNTs) are set up to benefit one individual. But it’s possible to contribute to a trust where the funds of...
Eric Kearney
Jan 3, 20192 min read
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Social Security Provides Guidance on the Use of Prepaid Debit Cards by Special Needs Trust Beneficia
SSA recently issued new guidance regarding the use of prepaid debit cards like True Link with Special Needs Trusts. This marks the first tim
Eric Kearney
Jun 4, 20182 min read
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Can I pay for travel expenses out of a Special Needs Trust? Can I pay for Companion Care?
A frequent question I get as a special needs planner is “Can I pay for travel expenses out of a Special Needs Trust? What about companion ca
Eric Kearney
May 3, 20183 min read
2,108 views
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Highlights From the New POMS
Special Needs Planners are excited about the new POMS that the Social Security Administration released regarding Special Needs Trusts. Learn
erickearney
May 1, 20183 min read
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New SSA POMS on Special Needs Trusts Issued
New guidance from Social Security Administration regarding Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) has issued. Take a look at the provisions.
Eric Kearney
May 1, 20181 min read
88 views
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What Assets Are Not Counted When Applying for SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that helps people with disabilities and very low incomes pay for food, clothing...
Eric Kearney
May 1, 20182 min read
41 views
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ABLE account aggregate annual contribution raised to $15,000 nationally
The IRS has confirmed an increase to Section 2503, the federal gift tax exclusion. Section 529A(a)(2) of the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Be
Eric Kearney
Nov 3, 20172 min read
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Key Decisions in Setting Up a Special Needs Trust - Who will be the Trustee?
Simply defined, a trust is an agreement between two people -- a grantor who donates funds to the trust and a trustee who manages those...
erickearney
Oct 8, 20172 min read
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CMS Guidance on ABLE Accounts
At long last the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had provided guidance to states on how to treat “ABLE” accounts in...
Eric Kearney
Sep 13, 20171 min read
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Is There a Difference Between "Supplemental" and "Special" Needs Trusts?
You may have heard the terms "special" needs trust and "supplemental" needs trust and wondered what the difference is. T
Eric Kearney
Aug 3, 20172 min read
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How to Make Distributions to an SNT Beneficiary Without Disrupting Their SSI
When serving as the trustee of a special needs trust, it is crucial to be careful when making distributions for the benefit of the trust...
erickearney
Apr 1, 20173 min read
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Why It Is Important to Have an Attorney Who Focuses on Special Needs Trusts
Many attorneys create trusts, and some even create special needs trusts, often using pre-written templates. So why, you may ask, do you...
erickearney
Apr 1, 20171 min read
34 views
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Special Needs Fairness Act Passes
The Special Needs Fairness Act has been signed into law as part of the 21st Century Cures Act. Competent disabled individuals can now establ
Eric Kearney
Dec 13, 20161 min read
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Progress on the SNT Fairness Act
The Senate approved H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act, which includes the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act, by a vote of 94 to 5. The...
erickearney
Dec 8, 20161 min read
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House Passes Health Package with SNT Fairness Act
The House passed H.R. 34 – 21st Century Cures Act, a major health care package that included the Special Needs Trust (SNT) Fairness Act (Sec
erickearney
Dec 1, 20161 min read
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