Obtaining Advanced Consent in a Medical Emergency for Your Child in College
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP The transition to college and young adulthood, while exciting, can be difficult for parents. Parents must not overlook obtaining advance consent from their children so they can have access to important health and educational information—or risk begin left out in an emergency. This is even more important…
The Importance of Parental Advocacy for Vulnerable Students as Schools Reopen
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP The COVID-19 pandemic has made education more challenging than ever. Schools are re-opening this year in either a hybrid or remote learning plan. In this pandemic, with all the rules on socially distancing and COVID-19 protocols, all involved face unprecedented uncertainty and stress. Yet the pandemic has…
The Challenges of Obtaining Services for Children with Special Needs During the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Studies show that approximately 90 percent of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five. For children with learning disabilities or other special needs, these early years are crucial. Early intervention, sometimes even before a child has a diagnosis, can be extremely effective. As one special education expert explained, “If you miss that…
When Should I Update My Will?
By Bernard A. Krooks, Certified Elder Law Attorney One of the things we have learned during this recent pandemic is how important it is to have your estate and financial affairs in order since you never know when you might lose capacity or pass away. One of the questions we most often receive from clients…
The 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP This week marks 30 years since the passage of the ADA. The ADA means much more than building ramps and construction compliance. The law protects the rights not only of those who are born with a disability, but of those who develop a disability, whether a mental…
Limited Visitation is Allowed in Select Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities
On July 10, 2020, the New York State Department of Health Commissioner announced that nursing homes and long-term care facilities will be allowed limited visitation for facilities that have been without COVID-19 for at least twenty-eight (28) days. Precautions must still be taken. Residents are only allowed no more than two visitors at a time;…
Estate Planning Alternative to the SECURE Act’s 10-Year-Rule
Our team previously provided updates on the SECURE Act, effective January 1, 2020, which eliminated the “Stretch IRA” provisions for anyone other than the surviving spouse. Beneficiaries of inherited IRAs must now withdraw the entire amount from inherited IRAs within 10 years of receiving it. Prior to January 1, 2020, a beneficiary could stretch their…
What to Expect on Learning in the Pandemic for the 2020-21 School Year: A Current Update
By Marion Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Guidance, plans and recommendations for reopening schools in the fall seems to change daily and every decision is fraught with pitfalls. As of today’s date, formal guidance from the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) for fall reopening is due out this week. NYSED provided a Framework…
The Importance of Legal Preparation for Individuals with Dementia
In an ideal world, everyone would have an estate plan in place and legal documents drawn up long before they are ever needed. Despite the best efforts of estate planning attorneys everywhere, this is not always the case. For some people, however, early planning is not just smart but critically important. Individuals with dementia are…
OPWDD Rallies
By Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate, Littman Krooks LLP Will everyone be free on Independence Day? As COVID-19 cases have dropped and New York has opened up, region by region, people with developmental disabilities have been left out. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has not updated its March 24…
