2022_Annual_Conference_Review
Set amidst flowering cactus and framed against the majestic McDowell Mountains, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch was the perfect destination for NAELA’s 2022 Annual Conference. Almost 250 elder law and special needs planning attorneys gathered in person for two days of networking and practical education focusing on those we serve. The Annual Conference was preceded by NAELA’s two-day Advanced Elder Law Review and the 2022 Tax School. This year’s conference offered education and resources for attendees to advance their practices to the next level. Sessions ranged from “Representing Clients with Medicaid Administrative Appeals and/or Litigation,” presented by Patricia Dudek, CAP, Fellow, to “Qualifying Your Client for Public Housing,” presented by Blaine Brockman, Esq., to “Demystifying Death: Helping Clients and Families Deal with Death,” presented by NAELA board member and death doula, Brenna Galvin, Esq.
The conference provided practitioners additional opportunities to stay current on a variety of issues impacting elder and special needs law with a diverse selection of CLE-approved educational sessions and seemingly endless networking opportunities.
A Variety of Elder and Special Needs Law Topics
This year’s conference was full of excellent speakers presenting more than 20 sessions with a breadth of topics appealing to a broad audience. Some of the substantive highlights of the conference included:
Trust Protectors: How to Provide Flexibility in Irrevocable Trusts, presented by Louis Pierro, Esq. Pierro’s presentation focused on the benefits of naming a trust protector in irrevocable trusts, how to determine when it is appropriate, and how to determine who is best for the role (including the attorney).
Special Needs Planning: Updates and Practice Tips, presented by NAELA President Letha McDowell, CELA, CAP, and NAELA Past President, Jennifer VanderVeen, CELA, CAP, Fellow. Letha and Jennifer tag-teamed this presentation with an emphasis on practice and tax planning tips for drafting first and third-party special needs trusts, using ABLE accounts, and pending changes in the law.
Current Status of Retirement Benefits Planning After the SECURE Act, presented by attorney Mark Munson, CELA, CAP. Relying on his experience advising clients in the areas of elder law, public benefits (including special needs trusts), estate and trust planning, and taxation, Mark designed this session to include a discussion of retirement benefits planning to the passage of the SECURE Act for both disabled and non-disabled beneficiaries and planning options, including how to “stretch” the distribution period for non-disabled beneficiaries.
When to Purchase Medicaid Compliant Annuity in the Institutionalized Spouse’s Name, presented by attorney Dale Krause, Esq. Dale Krause focused on key opportunities for saving our clients even more money when contemplating using a Medicaid-compliant annuity in the name of the community spouse.
Valuable Conference Pre-Programs
2022 Tax School: Tax “Relief” for Elder Law Attorneys was presented on Thursday before the Annual Conference kick-off on Friday. Attendees of this full-day workshop walked away with practical knowledge to spot tax issues in elder law planning and ways to expand their client service offerings. Attendees left the Tax School armed with information to confidently serve their clients in an ever-changing environment. This year’s tax school registration included a bonus — four post-meeting “deep dive” webinars on topics not fully explored during the Tax School.
Advanced Elder Law Review: This two-day program (designed by NAELA past presidents) offered 14 advanced-level sessions on elder and special needs law based on core practice areas defined by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), plus a fun “lightning round” session at the end of each day.
Lots of Time for Networking
In addition to great topics and speakers, there were several networking opportunities for attendees, from dine-a-rounds to a first-time attendee breakfast, to NAELA’s traditional welcome reception on Friday evening. Many conference attendees wrapped up the Friday evening welcome reception with a “friendly” game of team trivia.
NAELA’s live events prove to be an excellent opportunity to catch up with friends and create new ones. NAELA’s first-time attendee breakfast allows first-time attendees to meet each other and members of NAELA’s Board of Directors. This year’s first-time attendees were paired up with a “meeting buddy” prior to the conference to kick start those valuable friendships and professional relationships that can only be found at a NAELA conference.
On many levels, the 2022 Annual Conference was quite a success, and many attendees felt grateful for the opportunity to meet in person again. NAELA’s conferences are not possible without the dedication and commitment of many volunteers. We sincerely appreciate the hard work of our speakers and planning committees. And we appreciate the support of our valued sponsors and exhibitors. See you next year in May in San Juan, Puerto Rico (May 4-5, 2023).