Newsletters & Articles

Dillman & Assoc., publishes both a consumer newsletter and a professional newsletter several times per year. In addition, we issue special articles on topics of interest to elders and their families. Newspaper articles where the firm's attorneys have been quoted and articles appearing in professional publications are also included here.

The newsletters and articles below are in Acrobat PDF format.
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Professional Newsletters

	May/June 2008 Issue Social Security Withdrawal Could Result in Higher Benefit Senate Affirms Support for $3.5 Million Estate Tax Exemption Nursing Home’s Arbitration Provision Unconscionable News & Noteworthy: Meet our newest team member: Kathleen Pleasanton The Firm’s Brand: Our Passion
	March/April 2008 Issue Rule Change Affects Employer-Sponsored Retiree Benefits Power of Attorney Cannot Amend Trust AARP Report: Spotlight on Reverse Mortgages Home in Trust Retains Exempt Status for T19 News & Noteworthy: Accelerated CFP Course Nomination to Connecticut Bar Executive Committee NAELA’s Unprogram in Dallas
	January/February 2008 Issue Estate Tax Help: IRA Rollovers for Non-spouses Trust is Available Asset of Medicaid Applicant Full Amount of Joint Account is Asset of Medicaid Applicant IRS Issues Long-Term Care Deduction Limits News & Noteworthy: Attorney Dillman serves as President of NAELA, CT Chapter Attorney Dillman’s accreditation as Certified Elder Law Attorney renewed Preparation for National Health Care Decisions Day
	August/September 2007 Issue Alimony Directed to SNT is not Income for Medicaid How to Choose a Nursing Home-Several Factors Reasons to Create an Estate Plan Now News & Noteworthy: Attorney Dillman received outstanding achievement award Attorney Pope’s program: “Where Seniors Live” Attorney Pope’s program: “Special Needs Trusts” The firm’s core practice areas
	May/June 2007 Issue Living Trust Scams: Lawsuits Galore Refresher on Federal Gift Tax Rules Tailor the Estate Plan for the Multi-State Client New & Newsworthy New firm identity and tagline Autism society conference Community based services seminar
	March/April 2007 Issue Medicaid Recovery of Home New Reverse Mortgage Products to Hit Market Soon Book Review: Boomer or Bust Making Sure Your Beneficiary Choices are Up to Date Coordinating Medicare and Employer Coverage News & Noteworthy The firm welcomes Attorney Jami Cassarino as its newest associate Firm reveals its new identity "Clarity for the Future" Attorneys Dillman, Pope and Eddy attended seminar titled "here Seniors Live; Legal Issues in Remaining at Home"
	November/December 2006 Issue Mrs. Fix It: An IRA Payable to a Disabled Beneficiary International Wills: Knowing the Rules Relaxing the Rules: Roth IRA Conversions Open to All Medicaid Update: Transfer of Asset Rules under DRA News & Noteworthy: Special Needs Trusts: Attorneys Dillman & Assoc. Expand their Knowledge Special Needs Trusts: Attorneys Dillman & Assoc. Speak before the Bar Association Paperless Office: The Office moves One Step Forward
	September/October 2006 Issue The 2006 Pension Protection Act: An Explanation of Tax Planning Options Brokerage CDs: Compare and Contrast Supplemental Needs Trusts: The Trustee's Roadmap-Distribution Standards (part 1 of 2) News & Noteworthy Merger with Attorney Sharon Pope Welcoming New Associate Attorney Rebecca Eddy
	June/July 2006 Issue Out with the Old and in with the New Connecticut’s Estate Tax Demands Flexible Planning How Medicaid Changes Impact Seniors Changes to the Transfer of Asset Rules Supplemental Needs Trusts Third Party Trusts News & Noteworthy NAELA Symposium Free Seminar Series A New Chapter
	April/May 2006 Issue Comity, Comity, No Commity - Out-of-State Medical Directives Grantor Trust Rules - Power to Substitute Assests I Bonds - In with the New And Save the Old Supplemental Needs Trust - One Size Does Not Fit All News & Noteworthy Upcoming Seminar Events

Consumer Newsletters

May/June 2008 Issue

Is it Better to Remarry or Just Live Together?
Adult Day Care Increasing in Importance
New Tax Break Helps Surviving Spouses
Seniors Need to File Tax Return to Get Rebate Check
News & Noteworthy:
- April 16th is National Healthcare Decisions Day
- Program on Trial Advocacy Skills
- President of Connecticut Chapter of NAELA
- CFP Accelerated Course Status

March/April 2008 Issue

Assisted Living not Covered under Long-Term Care Policy
Nursing Home Quality 20 Years after Nursing Home Reform Act
Feds Publish List of 54 Poorest Performing Nursing Homes
Book Review: You Can’t Take it With you
News & Noteworthy:
- Paperless Office
- Conservatorship Reform Seminar
- Download firm’s brochure from our Website

January/February 2008 Issue

New Medicare Increases
Billionaire Buffett Testifies Against Estate Tax Repeal
Book Review: Don’t Let the Government Take Grandma’s Home
News & Noteworthy:
- Attorney Dillman will attend NAELA’s Unprogram
- Litigation Case against the Department of Social Services
- Attorney Dillman speaks before Connecticut Bar Association

October/November 2007 Issue

Estate Planning for the Healthy Wealthy Family
Long Term Care Insurance Giant Raises Premiums on Customers for the First Time
How Medicare Beneficiaries can Fight a Hospital Discharge
New & Newsworthy:
- The firm re-focuses its practice areas.
- Attorney Dillman attends Association for Independent Trust Companies conference.
- Seminar Series: Aging Parents’ Legal Needs-A Seven-Point Checklist.
- New Articles on our Website:
  - DNR orders versus Living Wills, Attorney Eddy.
  - The DRA and the State’s New Annuity Rules: Attorney Dillman.

May/June 2007 Issue

Why Plan Your Estate? Don’t postpone estate planning until it is too late.
Medicaid Recovery of Home Catches Many Families by Surprise.
Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit: Long Term Care Benefits for Veterans.
New & Newsworthy
- Attorney Pope’s seminar: CT Chapter of NAELA.
- Our new logo and tagline “Clarity for the Future”.
- Our new brochure is available.
- Website will be more meaningful.

May/June 2007 Issue

Nursing Home Fails to Uphold Living Will
A Resident's Challenge to a CCRC
Ten Reasons to Create an Estate Plan Now

Spring 2007 Issue

Reverse Mortgages Revisited
Staying at Home - A Financially Viable Option
Immediate Annuities - Possible Medicaid Planning Tool
New and Newsworthy:
- Attorney Eddy attends CBA seminar re: Reverse Morgages
- Attorney Dillman attends National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys seminar in Dallas. This Unprogram provided valuable information to Attorneys who work with elders and persons with disabilities.
- Expansion of Legal Services to include Attorney Pope's expertise in handling legal issues unique to persons with disabilities andtheir families.
- Attorney Jami A. Cassarino joins the firm

Winter 2006 Issue

Case Update: Estate Planning Requires Expert Legal Counsel
Vacationing Without Your Kids: Don’t Leave Home Unprepared
Professional Estate Planning Fees May be Tax Deductible.
New Temporary Conservatorship Legislation
New and Newsworthy:
- Seminars: Stetson University on SNTs
- Speaking Engagements: Before CBA Elder Section on SNTs
- Conservatorship Conference: Attorney Pope participated with Hartford Probate Judge
- Programs and Unprograms: The New Connecticut NAELA Chapter held its first “Unprogram”.

Fall 2006 Issue

New and Exciting Horizons: A New Partnership
Professional Estate Planning Fees May Be Deductible
Changes to Connecticut's Living Will Law and Health Care Power of Attorney Legislation
New and Newsworthy:
- Attorney Eddy joins the Firm

Spring 2006 Issue

Veteran's Benefits for Long-Term Care: An Overlooked Opportunity
Tax Breaks for Caregivers
How Medicaid Changes Impact Seniors: Changes to the Transfer of Asset Rules
New and Newsworthy

Winter 2006 Issue

Don't Overlook Tax Benefits
Medicaid Cuts Threaten Seniors
Duty to Notify Next of Kin in Life Support Case
New and Newsworthy

Fall 2005 Issue

A Qualified Disability Trust: Add it to your Arsenal of Planning Options
NAELA – A Resource for the Elder Community
New and Newsworthy
- Staff Profile – Nancy Shannon

Summer 2005 Issue

Spousal Refusal: A Big Victory for the Community Spouse
Death, Gifts and Taxes: The Connecticut Legislature Strikes Again
Medical Decision Making in Connecticut
New and Newsworthy

Spring 2005 Issue

Hot Off the Press: State’s Controversial Medicaid Waiver Cancelled
Lawyers see Benefits in becoming Specialists
Schiavo Revisited: Medical Decision Making in Connecticut
New and Newsworthy

Winter 2005 Issue

Case Update in Connecticut: Watch Out For General Support Trusts
College Savings Plans for your Grandchildren: Don’t Be the Owner
The Financial Foothold – EFT’s : Spiders, Vipers and More
New and Newsworthy

Fall 2004 Issue

The HIPAA Privacy Rules: How does your Estate Plan Fare?
Spousal Refusal in Connecticut: “ Morenz v. Wilson-Coker”
New and Newsworthy

Summer 2004 Issue

Make Your Wishes Known
Life or Death Guardian? In the Nutmeg State, can a Guardian Make End-of-Life decision for a mentally retarded ward?
The Schiavo case: What would you do?
Different Perspectives on Decisions of Life

Spring 2004 Issue

Protecting your Wallet & Dignity: Elder Financial Abuse
Annuities: Cacophony or Music to Your Ears?
Long Term Care Insurance: Costly Procrastination
New and Newsworthy

Winter 2004 Issue

Aging Driving Force: Problems & Solutions.
Local Agencies that Assess Driving Skills for the Elderly
Helping Hands; the Role of the Geriatric Care Managers

Summer 2003 Issue

HIPAA Privacy Rule: a Patient’s Primer
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Passed the Horizon: Bush’s 2003 Federal Tax Changes
New and Newsworthy

Winter 2003 Issue

House Rich, Cash Poor: Senior’s Untap Home Equity
A Revocable Living Trust: Dispelling the Myths
Bush’s 2003 Proposed Tax Cuts: How do you Fare?
Individual Retirement Accounts

Fall 2002 Issue

Gifts to Minors: The Rules of the Road
Roth IRA’s: Compare and Contrast
Noreen A. Dillman Receives Certification in Elder Law
Resources: Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of Connecticut, Inc.

Winter 2002 Issue

Powers of Attorney: No, They Aren’t Just Forms!
Section 529 Plans: Too Good – Yet True
A Child With Special Needs; Why Estate Planning is Critical
Resources: About the Center for Medicare Advocacy

Special Articles

Medical Decision Making in Connecticut.

While the political wrangling over the Terri Schiavo case has subsided, important legal issues were raised, namely: personal autonomy and medical decision-making. In an attempt to bring these issues to the forefront, with the hope that they will remain there, we have created this informative series of publications that address the most common questions and their current answers.

Schiavo Revisited Part 1 (June 2005) Medical Decision Making in Connecticut	Schiavo Revisited Part 2 (June 2005) Medical Decision Making in Connecticut
Schiavo Revisited Part 3 (September 2005) Medical Decision Making in Connecticut	Schiavo Revisited Part 4 (November 2005) Medical Decision Making in Connecticut
Schiavo Revisited Part 5 (June 2006) Medical Decision Making in Connecticut	Schiavo Revisited Part 6 (June 2006) Medical Decision Making in Connecticut
Schiavo Revisited Part 7 (November 2006) Medical Decision Making in Connecticut

In The Press & Elsewhere

The following items include: 1) articles written and cases handled by the firm’s attorneys; 2) articles in national or local media that quote one of the firm’s attorneys; and 3) articles of general interest to elders or persons with disabilities.

Make Choices Now on End-of-Life Care
Published in the Connecticut Post, April 15, 2008

Continuing Care Retirement Communities: Post DRA Planning
Attorney Noreen Dillman – December, 2007

Do Not Resuscitate Orders
Attorney Rebecca Eddy – October, 2007

The DRA Annuity Rules: An Unambiguous Labyrinth Or Complicated Maze?
Attorney Noreen Dillman, August 2007

Dillman & Associates help change Department of Social Services Eligibility Requirements.
Attorney Rebecca Eddy, July 2007

Using a Consultant to Obtain the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit
Originally published by PlanForCare.net, 20 June 2007

Guide Your Final Health Care with an Advanced Directive
Originally published by Rocky Hill Life, August 2006

Parents, Children Should Discuss Elderly Care
Originally published by The New Haven Register, July 2006

Congress Passes Bill Containing Punitive New Medicaid Transfer Rules
Originally published by ElderLawAnswers.com, 6 Feb 2006

Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Banks and
Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Banaitis
Attorneys Fees in Litigation Recoveries: Beware of Phantom Income
Originally published by NAELA in June/July 2005 NAELA NEWS

Medicaid Cuts Threaten Seniors
Published in: The Hartford Courant, The Waterbury Republican-American, The Journal Inquirer, The Stamford Advocate and The Connecticut Post.
Published Date: 2006/01/15

The Business of Law
Published in: NAELA
Published Date: 2005/11/17

A "Covered Opinion": The Tax Practitioner's Pandora's Box. (Tax Sig Newsletter)
Published in: NAELA
Published Date:2005/10/05

It could be time to update your will
Published in: New Britain Herald
Published Date:2005/07/31

Rundown on Funds
Published in: The Hartford Courant
Published Date: 2004/05/09