Bernard A. Krooks of Littman Krooks, to Present at National Estate Planning Conference

Added: (Thu Oct 29 2009)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Bernard A. Krooks will present an estate and special needs planning seminar on Wednesday, October 21, from 10:00 – 11:10 a.m., at the PESI Ultimate Estate, Retirement & Financial Planning Conference at Bally’s Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

The program to be presented by Mr. Krooks is entitled, “Special Needs Trusts and Estate Planning - Oil and Vinegar?” Topics covered will include special needs trusts, estate planning, Medicaid eligibility, and tax considerations.

Individuals with disabilities have needs that extend beyond food, shelter and basic medical care. Such needs include recreation, transportation, continuing education, dental care, mobility aids, and supplemental nursing care. Federal law allows a person with disabilities to provide for the payment of these needs by retaining his or her resources in a special needs trust. The purpose of the special needs trust is to avoid the imposition of a period of ineligibility for SSI or Medicaid due to the transfer of the resources to the trust, and to prevent the treatment of the trust as a resource for SSI or Medicaid eligibility purposes.

Special needs trusts are critical tools in planning for the future care of a loved one with disabilities. A special needs trust provides supplementary income to a person with special needs that the government cannot use when determining their eligibility for public benefits. Funds from a special needs trust help provide for important enhancements to the quality of life of an individual with disabilities.

PESI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. This year’s conference is scheduled during National Estate Planning Awareness Week. The conference aims to provide information and strategies that will help estate planning attorneys better serve clients.

Bernard A. Krooks, Esq., is the president of the Special Needs Alliance and a founding partner of the law firm Littman Krooks LLP, with offices in New York City; White Plains, NY; and Fishkill, NY.Mr. Krooks has extensive legal experience in the area of special needs planning and the use of special needs trusts.

Mr. Krooks is also past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, a fellow of NAELA, past chair of the NAELA Tax Special Interest Group, and former editor-in-chief of the NAELA News. He co-authored the New York State Bar Association publication Elder Law and Will Drafting and is an Adjunct Asst. Professor at NYU Center for Finance, Law, and Taxation. An authority on elder law, special needs planning and estate planning matters, Mr. Krooks has been quoted in many national publications.