New Legislation Passed for Special Needs Trusts

Yesterday, President Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act.  This includes a subsection known as the Special Needs Trust Fairness Act. Effective immediately, disabled persons with capacity can now establish and sign their own special needs trust. Previously, the law only allowed a parent, grandparent, guardian or court could establish a first party special needs trust. This added a great deal of unnecessary expense to the establishment of these trusts for disabled persons with capacity that did not have a living parent or grandparent, as the only way that a special needs trust could be established for them was through a court order.

* The information contained in this Blog is intended for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an opinion of counsel.

Gift Ideas for Nursing Home Residents

While this is a repeat of a blog from several years ago, it may be a help to some of you as we enter this holiday season. The best gift that you can give to a nursing home resident is a visit. If you cannot visit or want to do something extra for the holidays or their birthday, the following is an adaptation of a list published by the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform in the winter of 2011.

  • A new pair of slippers or a robe in a favorite color.
  • A gift certificate for a haircut, massage, or manicure.
  • Recent pictures of family and friends in an album, frames, or a bulletin board.
  • Video record a family event that the resident was unable to attend and enjoy watching it with them.
  • A subscription to a favorite magazine or newspaper.
  • Crossword or word search books. (Perhaps in large print.)
  • A personal television for the resident’s room or wireless headphones for their television.
  • A wireless reading device.
  • Quilt or lap blanket.
  • Regular deliveries of flowers.
  • Plant.
  • Tote bag for walker or wheelchair.
  • Luxury toiletries.

* The information contained in this Blog is intended for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an opinion of counsel.