Special Needs Planning

April 28, 2020

Special Needs Planning During the COVID Era

These are strange times. We all feel it. We’re in our homes, venturing out cautiously, masks have become a part of daily life. I constantly have the eerie feeling I’m in a dystopian movie. All families are finding new ways to be together and take care of each other. In families already dealing with underlying disabilities these new stressors can be terrifying.

Families with members who have disabilities have always had to learn to zig and zag since society isn’t always easy to navigate, so adaptability is a skill that has been developed by necessity. Now more than ever that adaptability is being tested. It’s no news to you that advocacy and determination are now, more than ever needed.

February 6, 2020

5 Ways to Plan for Your Child with Special Needs

by Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri LLC

Your child with special needs is getting older – and so are you. Perhaps your child has always had special needs, or maybe he had a life-altering event such as an accident or the onset of mental illness. Whatever the reason, he will need help long after you’re gone.

We imagine your goals are two-fold:

1. Your deepest desire is to help your special needs child maintain his quality of life when you’re no longer here.

2. You also want to protect your child’s eligibility for government programs designed to support people with disabilities.

What is the best way to achieve these goals? Continue reading

December 1, 2019

Create Your Last Will and Testament: Your Child with Special Needs Deserves It

by Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri LLC

Are you a Connecticut resident without a Last Will and Testament? More specifically, are you a parent of a child with special needs and you don’t have a Will?

There are some facts you need to know…and they may surprise you.

June 18, 2019

10 Signs of Alzheimer’s

by Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri LLC

When we get to a certain age, we sometimes experience what is jokingly referred to as a “senior moment.” We forget a name, miss an appointment or overlook a bill.

But if forgetfulness or confusion starts to seriously interfere with daily life, it’s time seek medical help. The symptoms could point to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

What are the warning signs?

How can you tell if someone in your life is more than just a little forgetful and needs a medical evaluation? The Alzheimer’s Association lists these 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s: Continue reading

February 25, 2019

13 Things You Must Know About Divorce and Children with Disabilities

by Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri LLC

When a marriage breaks up and there are children involved, the ideal situation is when both parents cooperate for the benefit of their children.

This is especially true for parents of a special needs child.

The very best time to start planning for a child with special needs
is at the beginning of the divorce process.

Two Heads Are Better Than One

In best-case scenarios, the divorce attorney collaborates with an experienced special needs planning attorney to map out a plan that will provide maximum resources for the child. Otherwise, parents could unintentionally cause their child to forfeit valuable benefits they are entitled to. Continue reading

December 9, 2018

Fundraising: Make Sure the Money Goes Where You Want It To

by Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri LLC

When medical tragedy strikes, family and friends may rally around an injured person. In the most serious instances – especially those that result in catastrophic injury or illness – the friend you were laughing with just yesterday may now be compromised for life.

And, if the injured party was the primary bread winner of the family, what happens now and how will the family be sustained? The exorbitant costs of long-term care become a reality, leaving questions for the family such as:

How will a mortgage payment be made?
How will health insurance be maintained?
How will the injured person cover basic necessities for his or her family?

September 23, 2018

Guardianship and Protecting Your Loved One with an Intellectual Disability

by Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri LLC

Family members of individuals with intellectual disabilities go to extraordinary lengths to provide their loved ones with proper supports, services, and care. Establishing guardianship is often a necessary part of protecting the health and safety of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Yet, while many people are generally familiar with the concept of guardianship, few know what guardianship of an individual with an intellectual disability actually entails. Continue reading