2007 Newsletters

December 2007

Special Needs Alliance in the News – Dec 28, 2007
Senior Family Members’ Issues Surface During the Holidays – Dec 21, 2007
Virginia Viatical Settlements Act Upheld – Dec 14, 2007
Trust Modifications for Beneficiaries with Disabilities – Dec 7, 2007

November 2007

Annuities and Long-term Care Planning – Nov 30, 2007
2008 Long-term Care Spousal Standards – Nov 23, 2007
Pooled Trusts – Nov 16, 2007
Challenges in Special Needs Trust Administration, Part II – Nov 9, 2007
Challenges in Special Needs Trust Administration – Nov 2, 2007

October 2007

Medicare Rates for 2008 – Oct 26, 2007
Special Needs Alliance News – Oct 19, 2007
In Case of an Emergency – Oct 12, 2007
Don’t Forget to Pass on Passwords – Oct 5, 2007

September 2007

There’s No Such Thing as a “Free Lunch” – Sep 28, 2007
A Cross-Country Cycling Ride for a Worthy Cause – Sep 21, 2007
Insurance Gaps and Unexpected Tragedies Leave Many Facing Impossible Choices – Sep 14, 2007
The Need for Integrated Planning – Sep 7, 2007

August 2007

Trust Revocation by Will – Aug 31, 2007
Powers of Attorney and Estate Planning – Aug 24, 2007
Retirement Planning for Baby Boomers – Aug 17, 2007
Self-Settled Special Needs Trusts and Medicaid Payback – Aug 10, 2007
Seniors – Beware of “Instant Experts” – Aug 3, 2007

July 2007

Medicaid and Long-term Care Planning – Jul 27, 2007
Top Ten Red Flags of Elder Financial Abuse – Jul 20, 2007
Alive and Kicking – Jul 13, 2007
Update on Personal Care Contracts – Jul 6, 2007

June 2007

Report from the Virginia Chapter NAELA Meeting – Jun 29, 2007
Planning for IRA Beneficiaries with Disabilities – Jun 22, 2007
Teach Your Children and Grandchildren About Giving – Jun 15, 2007
Protect Yourself From Identity Theft – Jun 8, 2007
U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Parents of Children with Disabilities – Jun 1, 2007

May 2007

How to Approach Your Parents About Their Estate Plan – May 25, 2007
Oast & Hook Special Reports – May 18, 2007
Pensions, Divorce, and Medicaid – May 11, 2007
2007 Legislative Update, Part II – May 4, 2007

April 2007

2007 Legislative Update – Apr 27, 2007
Employers and Eldercare Benefits – Apr 20, 2007
Virginia Advance Directives Day – Apr 13, 2007
Personal Care Service Contracts for Nursing Home Residents – Apr 6, 2007

March 2007

Accelerated Benefits and Long-term Care Planning – Mar 30, 2007
Planning for Retirement Benefits Revisited – Mar 23, 2007
The Law of Later-Life Health Care and Decision Making – Mar 16, 2007
Life and Death Planning for Retirement Benefits – Mar 9, 2007
How to Protect Your Earning Power From a Disability or Sickness – Mar 2, 2007

February 2007

Undue Influence and Confidential Relationships – Feb 23, 2007
Aging Is Not Easy – Feb 16, 2007
Avoiding Problems When Funding Your Revocable Trust – Feb 9, 2007
Elder Financial Abuse – Why Should You Care? – Feb 2, 2007

January 2007

Virginia Long-term Care Partnership Program on the Way – Jan 26, 2007
Reverse Mortgages May Be a More Affordable Option in 2007 – Jan 19, 2007
Limited Opportunity for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Coverage in Virginia – Jan 12, 2007
Elder Care Costs Deplete Children’s Savings – Jan 5, 2007

Memberships & Affiliations

Special Needs Alliance

SNA is a by-invitation-only national network of attorneys serving those with special needs and disabilities and their families, the “best and brightest” in the trust and estate practice. As members, Hook Law Center lawyers work with personal injury lawyers to enhance judgments, awards and outcomes for their clients with disabilities.

ACTEC – The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

ACTEC is a national organization of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers and law professors who have demonstrated the highest level of professionalism in wills and trust, estate planning and tax law. Their goals are serving clients, helping the profession, and informing the public to improve and reform probate, trust and tax laws and professional responsibility. Hook Law Center President Andrew H. “Andy” Hook and attorney Letha Sgritta McDowell are both ACTEC Fellows.

NAELA – National Academy of Elder Attorneys, Inc.

NAELA improves the quality of legal services for people as they age and those with disabilities. Members have broad experience with legal issues affecting these individuals and are committed to continuing education to hone their skills. They also lead and advocate on public policy issues facing members’ clients and their families. Hook Law Center attorney Letha Sgritta McDowell is the 2021/2022 NAELA President; she and Hook Law Center President Andrew H. “Andy” Hook have both served NAELA in various other capacities and chaired multiple committees for NAELA in the past.

Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers by region through independent research and peer nomination and evaluation. Hook Law Center lawyers who have received this accolade include Andrew H. “Andy” Hook, President of Hook Law Center; Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro, practicing in elder law, special needs planning, estate and trust administration and more; and Letha Sgritta McDowell, practicing in estate planning, elder law, special needs planning and more.