Special Education Advocacy

Board of Regents Announces Expanded Diploma Path for Students with Disabilities

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., and Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education Advocate On Monday, December 11, 2017, the New York State Board of Regents announced that they are expanding the Safety Net Option for students with disabilities to earn a local diploma.   The expansion took effect on December 12, 2017 on an emergency basis, beginning with…

Estate Administration in New York
Elder Law & Estate Planning

Mistakes to Avoid if You Are Named an Executor of an Estate

Serving as the executor of an estate is a serious responsibility that brings with it legal duties. Executors who fail to properly manage an estate can face legal consequences, including personal liability for losses. If you have been named as an executor, you should be aware of common mistakes that you should avoid. Paying the…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Holiday Wishes

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP All of us at Littman Krooks wish you a holiday season filled with joy, happiness and success.   We know how difficult this season can be for those with disabilities or illnesses who are alone, sad or isolated and for their caregivers.   During this time of year, especially,…

SSI and SSDI Claims
Special Education Advocacy

Disclosing Disabilities in the Workplace

Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Whether to disclose an invisible disability to a potential employer poses a challenge.  Disability information is confidential and potential employees may be concerned about discrimination during the hiring process if they disclose a disability.  While both employees and employers can benefit from disclosure and understanding, disclosing can also…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

New Federal Law Helps Protect Seniors

Bipartisan legislation was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump to protect seniors from financial exploitation. The Court-Appointed Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act passed Congress as part of the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act and was signed into law on October 18, 2017. The legislation, authored by U.S. Senators John Cornyn, R-Texas…

Special Needs Planning

ABLE Account Update for 2018

In our earlier blog post, ABLE Accounts: What You Need to Know, we discussed what an ABLE Account is, who can contribute and some of the many benefits it can provide. Starting in the 2018 tax year, the Internal Revenue Service has increased the total annual contribution per ABLE Account from $14,000 to $15,000. By…

Employee Disability Benefit
Special Education Advocacy

Proposed Legislation Would Weaken Americans with Disabilities Act

By Marion M. Walsh, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP Since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has provided strong protections to people with disabilities, vastly improving the accessibility of buildings. Stores, restaurants and other businesses built ramps and made other accessibility changes because the law required the changes and the owners knew that courts would…

Elder Law & Estate Planning

New Elder Abuse Protections in New York State

A bill signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in September requires state agencies to create guidelines that will assist healthcare providers in identifying elder abuse. The law calls for the development of screening tools, questions that healthcare providers can ask, and other resources they can use to report abuse or seek additional assistance. The…

College Transition
Special Education Advocacy

New Investigation Shows that NYC Students are not Receiving Services Under RSA Voucher Program

Most students with disabilities require related services to make progress towards their educational goals. A student’s Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) documents the related services that the student’s IEP team recommends. The School District must ensure that the student receives the full mandate of services. Frequently, and particularly within the New York City Department of Education, the…

Corporate & Securities

Have Reservations? How to Choose the Right Entity and Financing for your Restaurant

If you’re thinking of starting, purchasing or expanding a restaurant, you will likely need some capital. Although you do have a menu of options to choose from, you will need to make sure you order up the right structure to fit your financing needs. The Restaurant Roundtable Series consisted of Citrin Cooperman CPAs & Practice…