Blog Series: Guide to Being a Parent of a Special Needs Child

Estate Planning for the Special Needs Family

Estate Planning for-the Special Needs Family

In the first in our series, Guide to Being a Parent of a Special Needs Child, attorney Amy C. O'Hara explains why estate planning is critical if you have a child with a disability and why creating a well-thought-out estate plan can ensure your child is protected both financially and personally.

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Family Empowerment Advocacy Series Workshops

This February, Littman Krooks Advocate, Sandi Rosenbaum and Partner, Marion Walsh presented workshops in the Family Empowerment Series: I Wish I Had Known This Sooner, Understanding your Child's Rights & Responsibilities under Special Education Law.


Sandi presented on Evaluations, and Marion presented strategies for parents in a workshop titled: Banging your Head Against a Brick Wall (What to Do when you Feel You are Getting Nowhere). This workshop is sponsored by Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) and Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC).

CaringKind Webinar Events

On February 6, 2023, Littman Krooks Partner, Amy C. O'Hara, and Attorney Brian L. Miller spoke at the CaringKind - The Heart of Alzheimer's Cargiving's Legal and Financial Webinar.


Amy gave a Zoom webinar on Legal and Financial Elder Care Planning, while Brian L. Miller spoke on Medicaid Home Care.

Get to Know SNA Member Amy C. O'Hara, CELA 


For Amy O’Hara, SNA President-Elect, practicing disability law is personal. She discusses with us how she became interested in this particular field of law, and how another SNA member was an influential mentor to her. Here’s more about Amy and her path into practicing special needs law:

What drew you to the practice of law regarding people with disabilities? What keeps you excited about this field? 


My father had a lifelong disability and I saw the struggles he went through in life. I do not come from a family of lawyers but after graduating college, I worked as a paralegal doing medical malpractice insurance defense. The firm I worked at allowed me to help in their elder law department where I worked on some special needs matters as well. My personal and professional life all of sudden merged and I knew from then on I wanted to go to law school and focus my career on helping families with elder law and special needs planning.


Having practiced in this area now for over 20 years, special needs law continues to be important as ever and in fact the need for expert counsel has increased as more families need help navigating the resources available to them, especially in light of increasing governmental constraints.

 

What advice would you give a young person who aspires to practice special needs law? 


Find a good mentor willing to guide you. Put in the time to educate yourself on special needs law–over and above what you do in the office, including volunteering, serving on a disability nonprofit board and networking. 

 

What is the last good book you read?


I recently read two books I loved: Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe and Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. 

 

Tell us a little-known fact about your life. 


I was a law clerk for fellow SNA member Bruce Reinoso while in law school. Bruce was an incredible mentor to me.

 

What is your ideal way to spend a Saturday?  


Walking to the local farmer’s market to get fresh bread to eat for breakfast! I also love being outside, whether it is going for a hike with my dog, trying to improve my golf game, or dining al fresco and enjoying a good glass of wine with my family and friends.


Blog

How to Prepare to be a Successful Advocate for Your Child in College


For all parents, particularly parents of students with disabilities, including mental health conditions, the transition into college brings great pride but also a significant amount of concern and worry. Here are five questions and answers on transitioning to the parental advocate of a young adult.

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A Hidden Trap for the Unwary


Are you helping a loved one go into a skilled nursing or assisted living facility? Beware of some hidden traps for the unwary.

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New Expansion on ABLE Eligibility


This past December, Congress approved the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which expands eligibility for ABLE accounts by increasing the qualifying disability age from 26 to 46. This allows more individuals with disabilities to work and save money without the risk of losing government benefits.

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Events

ARC of Westchester Event


1/2 hour Zoom webinar, followed by a 10-minute Q&A.


Speakers: Bernard A. Krooks and Amy C. O'Hara

Date: March 11, 2023

Littman Krooks LLP is among the 2022 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms." with partners that have been named as top attorneys in New York for 2022 by Super Lawyers magazine.

Practice Areas

Corporate & Securities
Elder Law & Estate Planning
Special Needs Planning
Special Education Advocacy

Large Firm Service. Small Firm Attention.


As a boutique law firm, Littman Krooks offers the powerful knowledge base of a large law firm with the detailed focus, personal attention, and commitment of a small one. Our broad legal expertise, commitment to personal service, and passion for our work have allowed us to deliver effective representation to our clients, ensuring their success and ours. Together, we prepare families and businesses for a bright future.

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