In August 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued new guidance in the Program Operations Manual System (POMS) that directly affects how families and attorneys approach Special Needs Trusts (SNTs). Specifically, the SSA clarified in section SI 01120.203 that the SNT resource-counting exception only applies if the trust is established for a beneficiary under the […]

Massachusetts lawmakers recently held hearings on two Supported Decision-Making (SDM) bills, S.155 and H.261, that could change how vulnerable adults manage their lives. Instead of relying solely on full guardianship, these proposals would create a legal framework for SDM agreements, allowing adults with disabilities to formally choose trusted supporters to help them make decisions. A

The U.S. Department of Justice recently released updated guidance for Elder Justice multidisciplinary teams. These teams are designed to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and vulnerable adults more effectively. For anyone involved in elder advocacy, policy, or care services, the update is significant. An elder law lawyer may help families and caregivers

The recent Murdoch family settlement marks the conclusion of one of the most closely watched succession disputes in years. The agreement, finalized in September 2025, secures Lachlan Murdoch’s control of the family’s media empire while compensating his siblings with financial payouts. For those considering the future of their own enterprises, the case offers timely reminders

California recently issued a reminder reinforcing the Attorney General’s role in supervising charitable organizations, fundraisers, and fundraising professionals. For those who work closely with nonprofit compliance, this update underscores how oversight remains a critical part of maintaining public trust. A charitable giving lawyer can help nonprofits understand these responsibilities and adapt to evolving regulations, especially

Texas has taken a major step in estate and wealth planning by passing House Bill 4058, which went into effect on September 1, 2025. For the first time, Texans can now create self-settled “asset protection trusts” under state law. An asset protection lawyer may help explain why this change matters and what it means for

On August 15, 2025, Congress passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a sweeping piece of legislation that permanently sets the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions at $15 million per person beginning January 1, 2026. For years, estate planners expected the exemption to drop in half in 2026 when the

On March 27, 2025, the Oklahoma House passed House Bill 1687, a measure designed to update the state’s Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act. For individuals and families trying to plan ahead, this legislation represents a significant development in how medical directives and powers of attorney are treated. For anyone seeking guidance, consulting a power of attorney

Florida has long been considered a leader in trust law, and its latest update, effective July 2025, is no exception. Lawmakers revised the state’s decanting provisions, making it clear that trustees may decant assets into supplemental needs trusts without being treated as settlors. For families who rely on special needs planning, this change has significant

California probate law saw notable updates in 2025 that are already shaping how families manage estates. For many middle-class households, these changes will influence whether they need to go through the full probate process or can rely on faster alternatives. A wills and probate lawyer may help clarify how these updates apply to each situation,