Law Offices of Elizabeth L. Gray

Thank you for your business, client referrals and friendship throughout the year – wishing you all the best for 2022!

McCandlish Lillard is pleased to announce that 16 of its attorneys have been recognized by Virginia Business magazine as being among Virginia’s “Legal Elite.” Virginia Business magazine awards the “Legal Elite” designation from a survey of thousands of Virginia lawyers conducted in conjunction with the Virginia Bar Association. This year’s list appears in the magazine’s December edition, which was just released. https://lnkd.in/d-mtTsDx

Hound Dog Day - 6 months from Ground Hog Day! If the hound dog drinks from his water bowl = 6 more weeks of summer!

Breaking Hound Dog Day News!

Wilson, the hound, just lumbered out from under his porch. He looked around his yard and decided he was thirsty. Wilson lapped up his water. So, we will have 6 more weeks of summer and hot weather!

New Bill Introduction!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Taylor Harvey (202) 224-4515
June 17, 2021

WYDEN, CASSIDY: ALLOW AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES TO WORK WITHOUT WORRY
Bipartisan Bill Ensures American with Disabilities Will Not Lose Social Security Benefits for Working

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., today introduced legislation to remove a Social Security work disincentive for Americans with disabilities. The Work Without Worry Act would allow Americans with disabilities to work to their full potential without causing them to lose out on higher Social Security benefits.

“All Americans who wish to work should be able to without disadvantaging themselves in the future,” Wyden said. “Americans with disabilities and their families rely on Social Security’s earned benefits. This bill lets families know that working – not matter how long or at what level of earnings – will not mean their child with a disability will lose out on a higher Social Security benefit in the future.”

“Government should encourage work. Americans with disabilities deserve the freedom to work without worry to secure their own financial future,” said Dr. Cassidy.

If an adult has a severe medical condition that began before age 22, they may be eligible for a Social Security benefit called the Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefit. Their benefits are based on their parent’s Social Security earnings, in the same way that benefits of a child under age 18 would be. However, under current law some of these young adults fear that if they try to work they will lose future DAC benefits, which are often higher than any benefit they may qualify on their own. This fear inhibits the ability of Americans with disabilities to explore their ability to work as they transition to adult life.

The Work Without Worry Act promotes financial security by ensuring that any earnings from work – no matter how much – will not prevent an individual from receiving a Social Security DAC benefit from their parent’s work history if they have an eligible medical condition that began before age 22. This bill treats all individuals with severe medical conditions that began before age 22 the same – no matter when their parents claim Social Security benefits. This change is estimated to increase Social Security benefits by $100 million and improve the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals with disabilities over the next 10 years.

Additional original co-sponsors include Senators Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., Pat Leahy, D-Vt., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Bob Casey, D-Pa. The House of Representatives introduced a companion bill today, led by Congressman John Larson, D-Conn.

A one-page summary of the legislation can be found here.

Legislative text can be found here.

Amazon Wishlist 2020 — ElderTree Care Management

Amazon Wishlist 2020 — ElderTree Care Management Thank you for supporting our local nursing homes. Amazon Wishlists. Click on a community & choose an item from their Amazon wishlist.Big or small — any amount is helpful!Items will go directly to the nursing home and to those residents in need.Leewood Healthcare, Annandale, VABurke Health and Re....

Psychological Hurdles to Thriving | Lifecare Affordability Plan

Great group.

Psychological Hurdles to Thriving | Lifecare Affordability Plan When a health crisis occurs, we all want to thrive.  However, there are psychological hurdles that may make us resistant to accepting the help we need in order to achieve our best possible outcomes. Today, Tom West and Arvette Reid discuss common psychological hurdles that keep people … Psycholog...

“The greatest menace to freedom is an inert people; that public discussion is a political duty; and that this should be a fundamental principle of the American government.” ~ Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (quoting Justice Louis Brandeis, Whitney v. California, 274 U.S. 357 (1927)).

PARENTS AND SPOUSES AS PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS (AKA APPENDIX K) FOR MEDICAID WAIVER RECIPIENTS SLATED TO END 8/31/2020

Individuals with fragile immune systems or complex medical diagnosis will remain in quarantine until the COVID emergency ends.
• Advocate to extend this program
• Contact DMAS and your elected officials

Find more information about how to become an attendant for a family member.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hH_J__jDVS_ftQugz7Ep2eoafoWFp9q4/view?usp=sharing

At a recent meeting of the DMAS Advisory Committee, DMAS staff members reported that low usage had them considering ending the program June 30, 2020. Parent advocates gave public comment, made phone calls and sent emails to request an extension.

Some were unaware this program began in April and some had issues with signing up including:
•changing the EOR
•completing the background check
•delays from fiscal agent authorizations

Many of our family members have fragile immune systems on complex medical diagnosis. Some will be unable to attend school or daycare and remain in quarantine until the COVID emergency ends. Bringing non-family member caregivers in the house can be harmful to their health. Additionally some parents and spouses have lost their jobs due to changes in the economy or had to leave their jobs to care for the medicaid recipient in their house.

Here are three ways you can advocate and reach out to officials to ask for a further extension of this program.

Ask Governor Northam to support a further extension - tell your story
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/constituent-services/communicating-with-the-governors-office/

Tell DMAS if you’ve had problems signing up and ask the department to extend this program http://dmas.virginia.gov/contactforms/#/general

Find and Contact your Member of Virginia Legislative
https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/?fbclid=IwAR3hGPL8a6RBsQYGt7UTDPTs4i-Nz-VblMsY9CYsumH9tvV__t8JMw1MwwU

How to Advocate:
Don’t exaggerate but tell your story. Explain what’s been happening with your family during COVID and if the ability to pay parents and spouses as caregivers has helped you or your family. If you’ve had problems signing up or are just now becoming aware of this program - let them know. A short personalized email will make a statement. You can refer to “Appendix K”.

Feel free to email me [email protected] Jen Reese Northern Virginia Regional Network Coordinator with questions.

For more information and assistance on this and a wide variety of other resources call our helpline (877) 567-1122 or email [email protected]

The Family to Family Network at the Center for Family Involvement at VCU has a network of volunteer Family Navigators who provide one to one emotional, informational and systems navigational support.

ML Welcomes Summer Associate

Welcome Joanna!

ML Welcomes Summer Associate ML is thrilled to welcome Joanna Thomas as a summer associate. Joanna is a rising third-year student at Washington & Lee University School of Law. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2018 with a double major in public policy and government.

We’re doing it again on 6/3 at 4:00 PM.

ICYMI, McCandlish Lillard Principals Elizabeth Gray, Virginia Haizlip and Melinda Merk will be hosting another live webinar re: "Simple Steps to Estate Planning" on Wed June 3, 2020 from 4-5:30pm EDT. Click here for more info and to register: https://lnkd.in/eTbvu96.

Additional tickets have been added - REGISTER NOW by going to https://lnkd.in/eTNuWjA.

Congratulations to may partner, Melinda Merk. Well-deserved!

Our Wills Trusts and Estates Group is pleased to announce that Melinda Merk, JD, LLM, CFP®, AEP® has attained the Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. The AEP® designation means “I believe in the team concept of estate planning” and distinguishes designees for their dedication to being a collaborative advisor. It is awarded only to estate planning professionals who meet special requirements of education, experience, knowledge, professional reputation, and character.

Economic Impact Payments | Internal Revenue Service

Economic Impact Payments | Internal Revenue Service We’re committed to helping you get your economic impact, or stimulus, payment as soon as possible. See if you are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment.

SBA Issues Revised Version of PPP Loan FAQ, Clarifying a Number of Issues — Current Federal Tax Developments

SBA Issues Revised Version of PPP Loan FAQ, Clarifying a Number of Issues — Current Federal Tax Developments Some key additional information related to the Payroll Protection Program loans has been provided by the Small Business Administration in the evening of April 6, 2020. The agency posted an updated “Paycheck Protection Program Loans Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)” [1] that addressed some questi...

When Parents Get Sick, Who Cares for the Kids?

When Parents Get Sick, Who Cares for the Kids? The coronavirus has infected hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S., including parents of young children. Here’s how to ensure everyone stays cared for and safe.

Avoid these 3 estate-planning mistakes and make probate cheaper and easier for your loved ones — MarketWatch

Avoid these 3 estate-planning mistakes and make probate cheaper and easier for your loved ones — MarketWatch At the very least, fill out simple forms to make sure your bank accounts and investments immediately go to your heirs

Nursing Home Evictions: What to Know

Nursing Home Evictions: What to Know Thousands of families face this predicament every year.

Coordinating Beneficiary Designations with the Overall Estate Plan | ACTEC

Very important reminder!

Coordinating Beneficiary Designations with the Overall Estate Plan | ACTEC Assets such as life insurance, annuities, pension plans, 401ks and IRAs have beneficiary designation forms as part of the set-up process. ACTEC Fellows Frank...

From our family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday!

Hello SECURE Act, Good bye Stretch IRA | Ed Slott and Company, LLC

Hello SECURE Act, Good bye Stretch IRA | Ed Slott and Company, LLC With the clock ticking down on 2019, Congress is expected to enact a $1.4 trillion year-end spending bill to keep the government running. Tucked away inside this mammoth piece of legislation is the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. The SECURE Act is set to become ef...

Congratulations to McCandlish Lillard attorneys who have been recognized as Virginia’s “Legal Elite. by Virginia Business magazine. Virginia Business determines the “Legal Elite” designation from a survey conducted with the Virginia Bar Association, which polls thousands of Virginia lawyers to determine who they consider the very best in the Commonwealth in various practice categories. This year’s list appears in the magazine’s December 2019 edition. Read our full press release here: https://bit.ly/38BgQ0F

The Drake Law Firm, P.C.

Fun afternoon cleaning up another Legal Zoom mess. Happy Friday!

What to Do After a Death in the Family

360financialliteracy.org The days and weeks after a death are a stressful time, but they can be made a little easier if you understand the financial issues that need to be addressed. 

Should I Sign New Estate Planning Documents When I Move to a New State | ACTEC

youtube.com ACTEC Fellows Jonathan Michael and Anita Sarafa discuss why families need to review estate planning documents such as a Will, Power of Attorney, and Revocabl...

The Problems With Do-It-Yourself Online Wills

nextavenue.org These documents could save money, but can lay estate planning traps

Special Needs Trusts for the Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities to Protect Public Benefits

straffordpub.com This CLE webinar will prepare elder law practitioners to identify and deal with the crucial issues and pitfalls that arise when drafting special needs trusts. The panel will outline practical solutions to protect public benefits for clients.

McCandlish Lillard

As promised earlier, McCandlish is pleased to announce that today has in fact been Day One of Melinda Merk being a part of the McCandlish firm and family!

McCandlish Lillard

McCandlish Lillard is pleased to announce that on March 1, 2019, Melinda Merk, JD, LLM, will join the firm’s Wills, Trusts & Estates practice as a Principal. Melinda provides holistic multi-generational income and wealth transfer tax planning advice and estate and trust services to high net worth individuals, families, and business owners.

Click here to read more about Melinda's background:
https://mccandlishlawyers.com/whats-new/melinda-merk-to-join-mccandlishs-wills-trust-estates-practice/

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