Written by Kevin Urbatsch, JD, and Evelyn Wynn, JD

Divorce is always complex, but when it involves a spouse or child with disabilities who receives means-tested public benefits, the stakes become even higher. Property settlements, spousal support, and child support can inadvertently disqualify beneficiaries from critical programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid.

While word-of-mouth recommendations from clients and friends can be a valuable source of new business, they do not always offer predictable growth, and they are out of your control. However, building a strong referral network and investing in reliable professional relationships are within your control and can help ensure sustainable growth and the continued success of your estate planning practice. 

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs law. We have highlighted the most noteworthy developments to ensure you and your firm stay informed of any changes. From court decisions imposing transferee liability for unpaid estate tax on an executor-beneficiary and impacting the definition of a limited partner for self-employment tax purposes to new statutes protecting the elderly and other vulnerable individuals and cases reflecting the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession, read on to learn how these developments may impact your practice.