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Dear Friends, Family, & Clients,
We send this edition of our online newsletter several months after our last. During that break, we have made several exciting changes to our firm and there have been major changes to the law, particularly as it relates to Medicaid planning. We hope to continue to use this newsletter to keep you up to date on the latest news in our firm and the area of Elder Law.
The biggest change our firm has made during the past six months is a name change, which you may have noticed at the top of the newsletter. Attorney Jeffery D. Stinson was named Partner in our firm and we accordingly changed the firm name to Severns & Stinson, P.C. Those of you who have worked with Jeffery know of his dedication to his clients and his exemplary work. In our firm, and within the community of Elder Law attorneys, Jeffery is known for his leadership. He currently serves as President of the Indiana chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He also played an integral role as part of NAELA's campaign regarding Senate Bill 301, the new state law that implements federal law regarding transfers of assets and Medicaid eligibility.
Jeffery
Stinson was also Certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder
Law Foundation in 2009. The National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) is a
non-profit organization founded in 1993, dedicated to the development and
improvement of the professional competence of lawyers in the area of elder
law. In order to become a CELA, Jeffery had to demonstrate his experience in
elder law related issues over the pass five years, receive recommedendations
from five other attorneys, and pass an extensive examination.
We are so proud of Jeffery for his achievement as a CELA and his new role as Partner at Severns & Stinson. We know Jeff's new roles will result in continued confidence in our firm to provide clear pathways to elder care planning.
Other changes to our firm include the return of Senior Associate Lindsay Knowles from maternity leave, the addition of two new attorneys, Clifton Dennis and Anna Howard, and our new receptionist and legal assistant Gretchen Haley. We will focus on our newest staff members in upcoming additions of Elder Law News.
We hope you continue to find this newsletter helpful and information. We also continue to welcome your feedback, appreciate your referrals and encourage you to forward the newsletter to others who could benefit.
Sincerely,
Scott R. Severns, President
Severns & Stinson--Pathfinders in Elder Law
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Elder Law News from Severns & Stinson
March 2010
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Severns & Stinson. P.C.
10293 N. Meridian Street
Suite 150
Indianapolis, Indiana 46290
(317) 817-0300
(317) 817-0302 Fax
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Attorney Spotlight
Scott R. Severns and Jeffery D. Stinson Present at Law Seminars
Scott Severns and Jeffery Stinson presented at the Indiana Continuing Legal
Education Forum's seminar entitled Elder Law Institute
2009.
The two-day seminar in Indianapolis, Indiana
on October 8 and 9, 2009 featured discussion on several topics regarding
Medicaid planning, public benefits, and ethics.
Scott Severns also presented at the Indiana
Continuing Legal Education Forum's seminar entitled 125
Hot Tips in Probate.
The one-day seminar in Indianapolis,
Indiana on December 22, 2009,
featured discussion on several topics, including Mr. Severn's topic on elder
law litigation issues.
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If
you answer yes to any of these questions, Severns & Stinson can
help.
-Has a family member been diagnosed with a mentally
or physically debilitating disorder such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS,
stroke or a decline in functional capacity?
-Is a family member isolated due to the recent death
of a spouse, or have family that either lives too far away or is too busy to
provide adequate care?
-Is a family member soon to be discharged into a care
facility or currently receiving in-home care?
-Does a family member have a variety of healthcare
providers and need coordination and advocacy for quality care?
-Does a family member seem unusually concerned about
costs of medication and services, indicating he or she may be having financial
troubles?
-Does a family member have assets that fall between
$50,000 and $400,000 - enough to finance a short stay in a care facility but not
enough for an extended stay?
-Does a family member have a spouse whose financial
needs must be considered in light of a family member's medical condition?
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More Seniors Eligible for Big Medicare Drug Subsidy
 A million low-income seniors
have become eligible for a big assist on prescription drug expenses this year
under a newly expanded federal program. The subsidy can defray thousands of
dollars in costs, and in many cases eliminate prescription drug expenses
entirely for participating seniors. Read on |
Demise of Estate Tax Could Have Serious Consequences for
Spouses
The estate tax expired on
January 1, 2010. It remains to be seen whether Congress will reinstate it before
it returns in 2011, but the fact that there is currently no estate tax can have
unintended consequences for spouses. Standard language found in many estate
plans could leave spouses with nothing. Read on
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Elder Law Attorneys Specialize in Helping the
Elderly
Many elderly persons rely entirely on their children, family members or
other trusted individuals to help them. This dependence upon caregivers
or family members makes an older person more vulnerable to abuse and
financial exploitation. Legal arrangements and protective actions by
family may be necessary to shield loved ones from making bad decisions
or from being taken advantage of. Read on |
Social Security Calculator Now Available to Delayed Retirees
 Social Security's Retirement Estimator
is now available for people who have signed up for Medicare but have
not yet signed up for Social Security because they are delaying
retirement. The popular calculator allows you to project what your
monthly Social Security benefit will be based on your actual work
record. Read on
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Scott Severns speaks out for client's rights in "privatization"
of Medicaid system.
Scott Severns says the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is breaking the law by
terminating benefits 50 percent of the time for patients in the appeals
process, and simply failing to act for others. He wants a judge to step
in and stop it. Read on
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| About Our Law Firm
Severns & Stinson, P.C. is a law firm focused on the needs of families confronting issues with health care. We have a special emphasis on long term care issues -- an emphasis that has come to be known as "elder law." Our firm consists of five attorneys and two paraprofessionals.
Our services include the following:
- Asset Protection & Long Term Care Planning
- Medicaid Planning, Applications and Appeals
- Medicare Consultation and Advocacy
- Estate Planning
- "Making It Last"™ - Supplemental Needs Trusts and Asset Protection for Persons with Disabilities
- Response Team Building - Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Declarations and Other Advance Directives
- Guardianships and Probate Administration
- Patients Rights and Care Advocacy.
Severns & Stinson. P.C.
10293 N. Meridian Street, Suite 150
Indianapolis, Indiana 46290
317.817-0300
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