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Focus on Forms: Getting Benefits for Widows

October 13, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with No Comment Estate Planning Drafting Software Systems & Processes VA

Today’s post is another installment in the Focus on Forms series that considers and discusses some of the most common forms associated with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension claims. The goal of the Focus on Forms series is threefold: to define the purpose of the forms; to discuss how they should be completed; and to recommend what to file with these forms. Today’s subject is the 21-534EZ Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits.

The VA form 21-534EZ is used by a veteran’s surviving dependent to apply for non-service-connected pension, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and accrued benefits. The veteran’s surviving dependent may be a spouse, a parent, or a child. This form is the counterpart to the VA form 21-527EZ, however the 21-534EZ can be used to apply for the various types of benefits outlined above, while the 21-527EZ can only be used by a veteran applying for non-service-connected pension. If you are seeking service-connected compensation benefits for a veteran, you would use the VA form 21-526EZ.

When you download the 21-534EZ from the VA website, the document has 11 pages: six pages of instructions and five pages of form. There is much valuable information provided here. The first few pages of instructions explain what is, and how to file, a Fully Developed Claim (FDC), which is a relatively quicker claim process compared to the Standard Claim Process. The remaining instruction pages discuss what evidence you should provide to support your claim, depending on the type and/or level of benefit sought: Base, Housebound, or Aid & Attendance. The last page of instructions also includes information regarding benefits for a helpless child of a veteran, validity of marriages, and the effective date.

There are 13 sections to VA form 21-534 EZ, numbered with Roman numerals. Three of these are labeled “Must Complete,” while the other 10 sections are to be completed only if applicable. You may recall that this is the opposite of VA form 21-527EZ, which has 10 compulsory sections and three optional. The reason for this is partly because the form 21-534EZ can be used for more than one type of benefit, thus some sections only apply to a particular benefit. Another reason is that, since there usually is a prior claim already on file with the VA, there is certain info that the VA already has, and thus it does not need to be provided again. The sections you should complete for death pension are sections I to III, VII to IX, and XI to XII – that is 8 sections total.

Sections I and II are for the veteran’s and claimant’s Personal and Service Information, respectively. Most of the fields here are self-explanatory. If the surviving spouse previously filed a claim with the VA or you already filed an informal claim/intent to file claim, you may have the VA file number to put in field 6; otherwise put “Unknown.” If the VA ever assigned the veteran a file number, the surviving spouse inherits that same file number. Field 13 asks if the claimant is a veteran, oddly enough because if the claimant is a veteran, he/she should be filling out forms other than the VA form 21-534EZ. Field 16 allows you to select which benefits the claimant is seeking, and you may check all that apply. The instructions for Section II Veteran’s Service Information indicate that it need not be completed if the veteran was receiving VA Compensation or Pension benefits at the time of death, because it is assumed that this would already be on file with the VA; however, as incomplete forms are not always received well by the VA, it is recommended that you complete this section despite these instructions.

Section III is for Marital Information and by definition is applicable only when the surviving spouse is completing this form. Completion of this section may make or break a claim, the reason being that with very few exceptions the surviving spouse only has a claim to the veteran’s pension by virtue of marriage. In most cases, if the claimant cannot prove a valid marriage to the veteran, the claim will be denied regardless of how eligible he/she otherwise might be. The next three sections are only required if the claimant is a dependent child (Section IV), the veteran’s parent (Section V), or is seeking Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (Section VI); otherwise they can be crossed off as non-applicable.

The next three sections (VII to IX) are related to finances and are similar to those same-numbered sections in VA form 21-527EZ. Section VII: Net Worth is for reporting all countable assets of the claimant, and any dependents should be listed here as of the effective date. Sections VIII and IX are both for reporting income of the claimant and any dependents as of the effective date. The difference is that Section VIII: Gross Monthly Income should be used to report income that is received in fixed, monthly payments, such as Social Security or retirement pension, while Section IX: Expected Income is for reporting annual amounts of income that are not received in fixed, monthly payments. The effective date is the date that the informal claim or intent to file a claim was filed, or if not filed, the date the formal claim was submitted. Every source of income received by the claimant and any dependent should appear in either section VIII or IX, but never in both.

Section X may be used for reporting unreimbursed medical, last illness, burial, or other expenses; however, if there are many expenses, the VA form 21P-8416 Medical Expense Report can be used, in which case section X is completed by cross referencing VA form 21P-8416. The last page and the three last sections of form 21-534EZ consist of Direct Deposit Information (XI), Claim Certification and Signature (XII), and Witnesses to Signature (XIII). The first two of these sections must be completed and the claimant must sign Section XII, as the VA does not recognize Powers of Attorney. The final section is only applicable if the claimant signed the previous section with an “X,” in which case two witnesses must also sign to vouch for the identity of the signer.

What you file with the VA form 21-534EZ should support the data you entered in the 13 sections of the form. This would include photo identification, birth certificate and military discharge paperwork. More importantly, include marriage certificates, divorce decrees and/or death certificates to properly document marriage to the veteran and the proper dissolution of any prior marriages. The practice in our firm is also to provide financial statements to support the net worth and income as of the effective date reported in sections VII to IX, although this is not required by the VA.

In summary, the VA Form 21-534EZ is the primary application form for a veteran’s surviving dependent seeking death pension benefits, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and/or accrued benefits. It is best practice to complete all three mandatory sections of this form and any of the remaining 10 sections, if applicable, and to provide all documents that support what is declared on the form. Keep up to date with changes to VA forms by updating your LWP-CCS software whenever new releases are available and by checking the VA website regularly.

Did you know we offer a FREE "VA Tech School" webinar every month? Click here to register now for this complementary webinar on Wednesday, November 4th where we'll be talking about all the changes that have happened and will happen to VA Benefits in 2015 and 2016 that may impact how you do VA planning in your firm. Register now to find out what you will miss from the Tri-annual Practice Enhancement Retreat legal-technical focus session “Changes to VA Benefits in 2015/16 and How to Profit From Them”.

By Sabrina A. Scott, Paralegal, The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC and Director of VA Services for Lawyers with Purpose.

Victoria L. Collier, Veteran of the United States Air Force, 1989-1995 and United States Army Reserves, 2001-2004. Victoria is a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation; Author of “47 Secret Veterans Benefits for Seniors”; Author of “Paying for Long Term Care: Financial Help for Wartime Veterans: The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit”; Founder of The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC; Co-Founder of Lawyers with Purpose; and Co-Founder of Veterans Advocate Group of America.

The VA Fiduciary Process

October 9, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with 2 Comments Estate Planning Drafting Software Systems & Processes VA

What is the VA Fiduciary Process?

The veterans benefits fiduciary process occurs when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved a claim but has proposed a finding of incompetency of the claimant. This means that the VA believes the claimant does not have the mental ability to manage receipt of VA funds. To help the claimant with his or her VA benefit, a fiduciary needs to be appointed. The term “fiduciary process” is used to describe what happens from the time the VA approves a claim with a proposed finding of incompetency through the time the VA appoints a fiduciary and releases any withheld retroactive benefits. This process can take from three months to over a year to complete.

When can you expect to encounter the VA Fiduciary Process?

You will generally know from the first meeting with a client or client’s family members whether to expect a proposed finding of incompetency that would require that a fiduciary be appointed. At that meeting, you should note for the file the client’s medical condition, especially as it relates to competency. Another alert is the way that the doctor completes the physician statement (VA form 21-2680). If a claimant has a diagnosis of dementia, and/or if the physician indicates on the statement that the claimant does not have the ability to manage his or her own financial affairs, you can expect a proposal of incompetency by the VA.

What should you do when filing the original claim?

If you expect a proposal of incompetency, include a VA form 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim, regarding the fiduciary process with the fully developed claim. Your statement should acknowledge evidence of incompetency, waive the right to carry a gun under the Brady Handgun Bill, waive the right to a hearing, and include the name, relationship, and contact information for the person who will be nominated as fiduciary (usually a competent spouse or other family member). The purpose of the proposal of the finding of incompetency is to give the claimant a 60-day due process period to object to this proposal. In submitting VA form 21-4138 acknowledging evidence of incompetency, the goal is to expedite the process by waiving the due process period.

What about after a claim is approved?

After filing the formal claim, you will not hear anything about the proposal of incompetency or the fiduciary process until the approval letter arrives. This letter may state that retroactive benefits are being withheld because a finding of incompetency has been proposed. However, the claimant may also receive a separate fiduciary letter regarding their legal rights during the fiduciary process. The VA will start to pay the monthly awarded benefit shortly after the date of the award letter, but any money owed back to the effective date of the claim will be withheld until a fiduciary has been appointed. Even though you may have already submitted a waiver of this waiting period with the formal claim (on the aforementioned 21-4138, Statement in Support of Claim), you should respond again by re-sending the VA form 21-4138 regarding the fiduciary process. This time, file the statement with the Pension Management Center as well as mail it directly to the appropriate fiduciary hub (the VA department that administrates the fiduciary program).

The law firm generally does not get copied on any correspondence from the fiduciary hub, even when the lawyer is acting as the VA representative. The attorney is kept in the loop for the purpose of the claim adjudication process, but once there is an approval with a proposed finding of incompetency, the fiduciary hub deals directly with the nominated fiduciary. Thus, the representative must rely on the claimant or proposed fiduciary to get information and updates. However, you can call the fiduciary hub as long as you are the VA-recognized authorized representative at (888) 407-0144 for a status update.

Then what?

Then it is a waiting game until a fiduciary hub field examiner contacts the nominated fiduciary to schedule an in-person interview. You should instruct the client to contact you when they have scheduled this interview so you can then provide further guidance as to what they should say or not say during the interview. The nominated fiduciary should expect to provide references, a credit check and possibly a surety bond if the retroactive benefit is large. After the interview has taken place, the fiduciary hub will send a letter appointing the fiduciary. The last action the firm takes is to follow up with the fiduciary to confirm that the withheld benefits are deposited and that the lump sum deposit is correct.

If you're a Lawyers With Purpose, for further information regarding the fiduciary process, especially recommendations regarding the interview and the yearly accounting, log into the members section of the website and take a look at the webinar “VA Tech School – Fiduciary Process”. The Lawyers with Purpose software and systems have an automatic workflow to assist members with this part of the VA application process.

Did you know we are hosting a FREE webinar on October 15th at 5 EST on the VA Proposed Rule Changes. Attend this webinar presented by Victoria L. Collier, CELA, the nation’s expert on VA Pension Benefits and Lawyers With Purpose to discuss these sweeping changes to the laws. At the webinar you will learn the details of the proposed changes, how to advise your clients between now and when the law changes, when we can expect the laws to change and how you can influence a more positive change. Click here to register now.

By Sabrina A. Scott, Paralegal, The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC, and Director of VA Services for Lawyers With Purpose.

Victoria L. Collier, Veteran of the United States Air Force, 1989-1995, and United States Army Reserves, 2001-2004. Victoria is a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation; Author of “47 Secret Veterans Benefits for Seniors”; Author of “Paying for Long Term Care: Financial Help for Wartime Veterans: The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit”; Founder of The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC; and Co-Founder of Lawyers With Purpose.

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Who Has Your Back?

October 6, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with No Comment Systems & Processes

I was sitting in a hotel room in Florida at 11:24 in the morning when my cousin called. My aunt was in the hospital after having a stroke and learning she has a brain tumor. It was Saturday and the hospital wanted to discharge her to a rehabilitation facility on Monday. Like many of our clients, my aunt had completed a will in the 1980s but did not have a financial power of attorney or health care directive. Knowing that I am an elder care attorney, my cousin reached out to me for help.

We spent almost an hour on the phone outlining priority actions. Although I could educate my cousin and tell her what needs to be done, I could not personally help because I don’t know the laws in Texas, where I am from and where my aunt lives. Fortunately, I do know people.

Immediately I reached out to my friend and colleague, Sandra Ard, from Ard Law Firm, PLLC, www.ArdLawFirm.com, in Dickinson, Texas. After returning home from getting her nails done, Sandy spent the rest of her Saturday afternoon preparing legal documents and driving to Galveston to meet my aunt at the hospital to execute them. Sandy could have said, “Call me on Monday.” But she didn’t.

I would not expect any lawyer, even a friend, to take such remarkable measures for a client. I did not expect Sandy to do so just because it was my family member who needed help, but I was hopeful.

I was right to be, for one simple reason: Ard Law Firm is a member of Lawyers with Purpose. Sandy is the epitome of what a Lawyer with Purpose is and shows exactly what members in our community do for each other. Sandy has my back!

Without Lawyers with Purpose, I would not know Sandy Ard. Without Sandy Ard, I would not have been able to help my cousin and aunt so quickly. Although many organizations offer similar software and training, Lawyers with Purpose has a community that cannot be compared or copied.

Want to experience this for yourself?

I may be able to get you in the door for the Practice Enhancement Retreat, Wednesday, October 21st – Friday, October 23rd. Email me at vcollier@lawyerswithpurpose.com if you’re at all interested – I'll have your back – but do so quickly!

Victoria L. Collier, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, www.LawyersWithPurpose.com; Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation; Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; Founder and Managing Attorney of The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC, www.ElderLawGeorgia.com; Co-Founder of Veterans Advocates Group of America; Entrepreneur; Author; and nationally renowned Presenter.

Is Your Practice … Uhmmmm, Easy?

September 28, 2015

by David Zumpano with No Comment Coaching & Implementation Estate Planning Drafting Software Systems & Processes Team Building

Many lawyers are frustrated when it comes to operating the "business" of their practice. Law school taught us how to think critically and help people, but it did not teach us how to run a business. As a result, much pain and long hours of work and frustration are created. Balancing the needs of your clients and operating your business is one of the most frustrating elements of running a law practice. The good news is, fixing it is not hard, it just requires a basic understanding you never got in law school. Let's begin by identifying whether you have effective employees.

In coaching hundreds of law firms over the past 15 years, I have a question I ask consistently: "Is it occurring?" What does that mean? Essentially, if what you want to be happening is happening, then it's occurring. If what you want happening is not happening, then it's not occurring. Simple enough? So let's analyze this in your practice. If you're frustrated with a certain part of your business, like hiring employees, because it's not being done effectively, then it's not occurring. If it's not occurring, then the person responsible for doing it does not have the proper skill set. Unfortunately, in a small practice that's usually you. So you must find others who know how to do it so you can get the employee hired effectively. This can be someone in your firm, or you can reach out to others and outsource your need. (LWP has many system services for estate planning attorneys; that’s what distinguishes this organization from most others.)

The interesting thing is, for those individuals you reach out to for help, it's really easy for them, which amazes most attorneys because we don't get it and it's so frustrating to us. (I personally hate it.) But for those who have the skill set, it's easy and it occurs! So as you look around your practice, if there's an area causing you pain, it is a clear message that you lack someone with a natural skill set to perform that task or duty. If drafting is not happening effectively, then you need to get someone who does it easily. They're out there and you can't stop until you find someone, because once you do, your life and your practice will change dramatically.

In building companies over the last 15 years, the level of pain I have endured along the way sometimes was unbearable. But now, as I have reached a point where many of those companies are operating without me, I look back at what the key issues were that I had to overcome. The answer? It all came down to skill set and ease!

What was difficult and frustrating for me was very easy for other people with the right skill set. To identify what five skill sets you need, your role and what roles you need to fill to support you, join us at our Tri-Annual Retreat in October. So the stress of running your business can subside and you can focus on what you do best and what is "easy" to you, and leave the other roles to the people who find them "easy" to do. Doors close October 2nd and we will NOT have any seats remaining, I promise you that!. It's not hard. Let Lawyers with Purpose show you how. Click here to register now.

David J. Zumpano, Esq, CPA, Co-founder Lawyers With Purpose, Founder and Senior Partner of Estate Planning Law Center

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Ground Zero

September 27, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with No Comment Systems & Processes Team Building

I don’t know about you, but when I hear the term “ground zero,” I think about the World Trade Center and September 11. Like many, I watched it on television as it was happening. It changed our world and our daily lives, even today, years later. I had the benefit of visiting Ground Zero recently. The reflecting pools are a beautiful tribute to the men and women who died there.

How is that relevant to you today? The term ground zero has a broader meaning – the point of a disaster that suffers the most severe damage. For me, it also means starting over, often from the ground up.

As with the terror of 9/11, recovering and starting over can be devastating. But, beginning again can be a fresh introduction to opportunities not yet discovered. Rebuilding with knowledge and experience from the past can create stronger futures.

Again, how is this relevant to you? Consider a few scenarios.

Losing an employee: Every day I get compliments from clients about how wonderful my receptionist is. She truly is and I love her. She knows my quirks and anticipates my next need, and then fulfills it. But she won’t much longer, because she gave me her “notice.” She’s moving on to her higher calling. While I support her completely, I am devastated because I have to start over. Begin again. New interviews. New training. New personality. Ground zero. It will be hard and I don’t like the thought of any of it. However, I know that when I hired my assistant two years ago, I went through the same thing, and hiring her made my firm stronger, as will hiring our new candidate.

Terminating a partnership: Working as a sole practitioner is hard. Making a business work with partners is even harder, in my opinion, and I’ve done both very successfully and unsuccessfully. When you are alone, you can make all the decisions, good or bad. You own your successes and your failures. When you have a partner, you share a lot but usually don’t have total control of anything. It’s like a marriage. You give to get and weigh the benefits and consequences of each decision and action. Like marriages, partnerships may end in the big “D” – dissolution. Where do you go from there? From Ground zero?

What is your Ground zero? What makes you feel as if you have to “start again?” Do you run, hide, or give up? You can, or you can find the new opportunity. Release the inhibitors of the past. Find the strength and grow from the experience. Build something bigger, stronger and better.

Visit Ground Zero and find the blessing in the tragedy. Build your Freedom Tower.

If you haven't registered for our Tri-Annual Practice Enhancement Retreat, there's still time. But hurry! The hotel is actively working on finding us an "overflow hotel" since there are only a few rooms left at the event hotel. Click here to register.

Victoria L. Collier, Veteran of the United States Air Force, 1989-1995 and United States Army Reserves, 2001-2004. Victoria is a Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation, Author of 47 Secret Veterans Benefits for Seniors, Author of Paying for Long Term Care: Financial Help for Wartime Veterans: The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit, Founder of The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC, Co-Founder of Lawyers With Purpose, Co-Founder of Veterans Advocate Group of America.

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Tonight?

September 18, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with No Comment Systems & Processes Team Building

Just a quick reminder that there's only 24 hours left to take advantage of discount pricing to attend LWP’s Tri-Annual Practice Enhancement Retreat, happening October 21-23 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Why pay more when you can join us at $500 off, utilize a payment plan? All that goes away tomorrow.

The price to attend the Tri-Annual Retreat has been reduced but will jump at midnight, so don't wait to lock your discount in.

Can't wait to SEE you in Phoenix!

Good News – Bad News!

September 2, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with No Comment Estate Planning Drafting Software Legal Marketing Systems & Processes Team Building

PRACTICE WITH PURPOSE IS SOLD OUT! PLEASE READ!

Wow ….

It takes A LOT to shock me, but I’ve just confirmed that the Practice With Purpose portion of our October Retreat has officially SOLD OUT only two weeks into registration.

With that crazy update comes good and bad news.

Bad news: I’ve called the hotel today personally. We are in the largest room possible and there is nothing else available at our venue. We are not allowed to add seats either because of fire laws. So unfortunately, we have to close registration down for this portion of the program.

If you had your heart set on attending the Practice With Purpose portion of the week and bringing your team, please send me an email to get on a wait list. I will contact you personally if someone is not able to make it and a space opens up.

Now, for the good news.

The remainder of the retreat week is still available and will ROCK! Just about everyone attending Practice With Purpose has chosen to stay the entire week because our breakout sessions and team programs are just phenomenal this quarter.

We have the largest ballroom on the property for this portion of the program—so as of right now, there is STILL SPACE! But, I was informed that we are creeping up on capacity limits here as well. Please don’t wait to reserve your spot!

And, because the full-week registration option is no longer available, we have decided to slash the registration price for the remainder of the retreat. For a limited time, you can join us at a discounted rate when you attend from Wednesday, October 21- Friday October 23.

Oh, and you can STILL bring three team members, absolutely FREE as our gift to you. This portion of the program is all about equipping not only the attorney, but the entire staff for success—so take advantage of being able to snag FREE tickets for your team while you can!

To view the class schedules and retreat agenda, simply click here.

If you have questions, please feel free to email me at mhall@lawyerswithpurpose.com. I’m happy to schedule a call with you to discuss the sessions and/or registration options that are best for your law firm.

Here’s to an AMAZING October Retreat!

Molly

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Looking forward to Phoenix for so many reasons …

August 17, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with No Comment Estate Planning Drafting Software Systems & Processes Team Building

As the Education Director for LWP™, it has been my privilege to take part in the development of the TAPER programs and to work with the amazing staff that makes these events unique. We’ve all been to the (yawn) lawyer conferences that should be advertised as a cure for insomnia. Our goal at LWP was to create a unique experience that advances the members to the next level by providing the tools to create a dream future, gain energy, engage the team and get focused. It only takes a moment to feel the energy in the room and know that you are not at an ordinary legal training event!

As an LWP trainer, the Tri-Annual Practice Enhancement Retreats (TAPERs) offer the opportunity to “pay it forward” and pass along some of the lessons that experience has taught. I’m particularly excited to be presenting a focus session on adding an Associate Attorney to your LWP firm.

As an LWP Mentor Coach, there is incredible satisfaction in watching from the sidelines as teams break through the barriers and find the road to success. The TAPERs are an opportunity to touch base with those teams, put names with faces, and really see the energy develop around their own futures.

As a member of LWP, the Practice Enhancement Retreats have always been a highlight, something that goes on our annual calendar the moment we learn the dates. We look forward to them as a team because we are anxious to shift focus and work ON the practice rather than IN the practice. The retreats are aptly named “retreats” because they are truly a time to get away from our day-to-day world, reflect on where we’ve been AND set the course for the future (whether that means the next weeks, months or years).

There is no denying the energy burst that comes from attending an LWP Retreat, and that is why LWP is doing them more often. If we could get an energy burst once a year, imagine how powerful three of those bursts per year would be! Triple the impact! For the last two years, I have shut down my law firm not once, but three times each year – and I really mean “shut down,” since the ENTIRE TEAM attends every retreat. That is the value of these events – every single member of the team gets a customized experience with the opportunity to focus on both professional and personal growth. What a difference! The team has taken ownership of the firm, and ownership of its own growth and development.

As a business owner, the thought of shutting down the business for any reason is scary. We ask: “What about the lost revenue?” “What about the expense of flying everyone around the country and putting them in hotel rooms?” “What about feeding them?” “Dollars seem to be flying out the window!” All of that is real. It IS expensive to attend three retreats every year, until you realize that this is NOT an expense – it is an investment. It is an investment in the future of the business made without hesitation because the ROI is exponential. The payoff is a team committed to the firm’s future, a team working together for common goals, a team dedicated to personal and professional growth, a team poised to push each other toward personal goals, a team that understands the power of teamwork!

And it shows in the bottom line. Despite and because of the three weeks per year of shutdown, our revenues have never been higher. That is the power of the LWP Tri-Annual Practice Enhancement Retreat.

Don’t take my word for it; find out for yourself. Join us in Phoenix and feel the power!

Early Bird registration is open! If you're ready to reserve your spot now email Amanda Ross at aross@lawyerswithpurpose.com or just call 877-299-0326 and she's standing by to help get you're seat reserved!

Susan Hunter

A Unique Experience Awaits

August 6, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with No Comment Systems & Processes

As the CEO of Life Care Funding, I find myself at many conferences, seminars and retreats across the country. I am often addressing gatherings of long-term care industry professionals who operate assisted living communities, homecare companies, and nursing homes, as well as insurance agents, financial advisors and elder law/estate planning attorneys. I have had the honor to speak before the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), the American Health Care Association (AHCA), the American Association of Long Term Care Insurers (AALTCI), and the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), among many others.

But my experience of attending the most recent symposium and retreat for Lawyers with Purpose in St. Louis was unique. I was not prepared for how different this event was from other meetings. The team that hosted the meeting and runs Lawyers with Purpose was incredibly enthusiastic and dedicated to making sure all the participants were getting real value and education for their time. The attendees were obviously there to work and to bring valuable tools and insights back to their firms. My impression was that this was more like a family, all working together to help each other succeed. In fact, if you were looking to attend a junket, this would not be the meeting for you. I have been on more than one vacation disguised as a conference. This was the opposite — this group rolls up their sleeves, works hard, and goes home with tools and strategies to excel as attorneys working with seniors and their families on one of the most difficult challenges of their lives.

But it isn’t all work and no play – there was plenty of fun and time to network and socialize as well. Life Care Funding was the Platinum Sponsor of the meeting, and it was our pleasure to host the welcoming cocktail reception. The food and drinks were great, and we had a ton of fun with our drawing to give away four twin lobster dinners that will be flown to the lucky winners straight from the docks of Maine!

We can’t wait to return to the next meeting as a Platinum Sponsor again this fall in Phoenix —and to give away some more lobster dinners. Life Care Funding is truly looking forward to working with Lawyers with Purpose and all the member law firms to assist families looking for innovative solutions to how they will pay for the expensive costs of long-term care.

Chris Orestis, CEO of Life Care Funding, is an 18-year veteran of both the insurance and long-term care industries. A former Washington DC lobbyist, he is a nationally known senior care advocate and author of the Amazon best-selling book “Help on the Way,” and is a legislative expert, featured speaker, columnist and contributor to a number of insurance and long-term care industry publications. Chris is a frequent guest on national radio programs discussing senior issues, and has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, Kiplinger’s, Fox Business News, and on PBS.

His blog on senior living issues can be found at www.lifecarefunding.com. He can be reached at 888-670-7773 x 6623 or corestis@lifecarefunding.com.

Founded in 2007, Life Care Funding pioneered the concept of converting a life insurance policy into a Long Term Care Benefit Plan. Since the company’s inception, it has built a national network of agents, attorneys, and advisors, as well as over 5,000 Homecare, Assisted Living and Nursing Home companies that offer the Long Term Care Benefit policy conversion option to families directly across the United States.

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor at our next event contact Roslyn Drotar at rdrotar@lawyerswithpurpose.com or 877-299-0326 x 105. You don't want to miss this unique opportunity to market and brand your business in the estate and elder law arena!

Actionstep: Boost Productivity, Streamline Workflow & Grow Your Revenue – TOMORROW!

July 27, 2015

by Lawyers With Purpose with One Comment Estate Planning Drafting Software Systems & Processes

Are you using so-called “Practice Management” Software in your law firm that seems to do everything BUT that?

Does this internal chaos leave you at the mercy of your staff? Is everyone in your office constantly “doing their own thing” and handing files “their own way,” that would make it almost impossible for you to keep all the balls in the air and service clients if they suddenly quit, or got hit by a bus?

Worse… are you sick and tired of:

…legal work falling through the cracks?

…constant interruptions from staff members who can’t figure out what to do next on client matters?

…piecemealing software and tech platforms together to meet your needs?

…wearing way too many hats in your law firm?

IF SO, we’d like to invite you to take a FREE demo of Actionstep– a fully automated and secure cloud-based practice management system that provides a complete snapshot of any client, anytime, anywhere for you and your team.

On July 29^th at 2 EST, Dave Zumpano Esq., Co-Founder of Lawyers With Purpose, will host a live demonstration of this unique software that is unlike anything currently available in the estate or elder law industry.

Actionstep handles every aspect of your practice—from marketing, to engaging clients, to practice management, staff workflows and client communications. All in one place, accessible from EVERYWHERE via the cloud.

Dave will also share on this webinar how he is personally utilizing Actionstep in his New York law firm. This is the first time non-members can get a look into the “backend” of his practice and his strategies for effortlessly boosting productivity and revenue goals for the firm!

To sign up for the webinar, simply CLICK HERE NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE. Webinar space is limited!

Can’t make the webinar? Simply send an email to me at mhall@lawyerswithpurpose.com to set up a private demo! We are happy to give you a tour.

In your corner,

Molly L. Hall, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, and author of Don’t Be a Yes Chick: How to Stop Babysitting Your Boss, Transform Your Job and Work with a Dream Team Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Spirit in the Process.