TRACK A (Benefits)
Moderated by: Tiffanny H. Sievers, SI Elder Law, LLC, Marion 

TRACK B (Guardianship)
Moderated by: Melissa Johnson, Generation Law Ltd., Elmhurst

9:00 – 10:00

Nuts and Bolts of Medicaid Applications
An overview of the application process for Illinois Medicaid and includes: a brief review of the laws and regulations pertaining to Long Term Care or AABD Medicaid; the eligibility requirements and verification process; and potential outcomes, such as the application of spend downs and penalty periods.  
Elizabeth M. Fink, WhiteheadFink Elder Law, LLC, Chicago

Preparing for a Guardianship Trial
- Part 1

•         Pre-Trial Discovery

Ray J. Koenig III, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago &          
Amy McCarty, Monahan Law Group, LLC, Chicago

10:00 – 10:10

Break

Break

10:10-11:10

Financing Long-Term Care without Public Benefits

•         Private Reverse Mortgages
•         Annuities
•         Long-term Care Insurance

Guy Matthews, Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C., West Chester, PA 

Preparing for a Guardianship Trial
- Part 2

•         Pre-Trial Motions

 Sarah M. LeRose, Law Office of Leonard J. LeRose, Jr., Ltd., Chicago

11:10 – 11:20

 Break

 Break

11:20-12:20

Non-Penalized and Advanced Medicaid Planning
This session will feature Medicaid planning strategies such as Medicaid-compliant annuities, gifting as well as non-penalized transfers of real estate and other resources to achieve Medicaid qualification while preserving assets.  The speaker will outline the steps necessary to execute these Medicaid strategies and the pitfalls to avoid potential problems.
Mollie Whitehead, WhiteheadFink Elder Law, LLC, Chicago

Post Appointment Administration

•         Best Accounting Practices for Guardians, POAs, Executors, Trustees, Administrators

Marcie Hefler, HeflerLichtenberg, Chicago 
Kevin Lichtenberg, HeflerLichtenberg, Chicago 

12:20 – 1:00

 Lunch Break

 Lunch Break

1:00 – 2:00

Disability Benefits Under the Social Security Act:  What an Elder Law Attorney Needs to Know
Elder law attorneys are likely to encounter candidates for disability benefits in two scenarios:   (1) individuals with disabilities who are unable to work but not quite old enough for full retirement benefits or for aged SSI, and/or (2) clients concerned about future planning for their child or children with disabilities.   This session will cover eligibility for each of the four types of disability benefits (DIB, CDB, DWB, SSI), applications, the disability determination process, the appeals process, maintaining benefits after entitlement, representation issues, and challenging situations where the potential applicant is unable to assist with the application process.
Wendy S. Cappelletto, Office of the Public Guardian of Cook County, Chicago
Avram L. Sacks, Attorney at Law, Skokie

The Intersection of Divorce and Probate

Katherine Maloney, Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, Plainfield

Kathleen Rock, Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, Plainfield

2:00 – 2:10

                 Break

Break

2:10 – 3:10

Nursing Home Residents Rights in the NHCA and Beyond
An examination of the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act and newest rules pertaining to the rights of residents in facilities accepting Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Amy DeLaney, DDV Law, Ltd., Orland Park, Oak Brook & Chicago &
Rachel Hitt, RN, BSN, Elite Life Care Services, LLC, Chicago
Troy Kerber, Elite Life Care Services, LLC, Chicago

Attorneys’ Fees in Guardianship and Probate Litigation
This presentation will explore various considerations when evaluating the legal fees of the fiduciary’s counsel, in both contested and uncontested matters. Practitioners can take appropriate steps to avoid short-changing themselves on their hard-earned fees by filing a proper petition which conforms to the law on reasonableness, and which includes sufficient detail of the work performed.
Kyle Fahey,  Peck Ritchey, LLC, Chicago
Jesse Footlik, Peck Ritchey, LLC, Chicago

 3:10 – 3:20

Break

 Break

3:20 – 4:20

Estate Planning for People with Diminished Capacity
(1 Professional Responsibility)
This session will be comprised of four parts: 1) an overview of the challenge facing practitioners when given the privilege of serving  persons with diminished capacity, 2) examining the relevant ethical rules that must be considered in dealing with clients with diminished capacity as set forth under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, such as Rule 1.14, 3) how lawyers can attempt to distinguish between treating the client in a normal attorney-client relationship versus seeking protective action for the client, and 4) estate planning strategies that can be considered in light of diminished capacity and the distinctions in representing single individuals and married individuals.
Anthony B. Ferraro, Robbins DiMonte, Ltd., Park Ridge

Guardian Ad Litem Panel
(1 Professional Responsibility)
Jennifer M. Lynch, June Prodehl Renzi & Lynch, LLC, Joliet
Kerry R. Peck, Peck Ritchey, LLC, Chicago&
Kathryn Shores, Lesser Lutrey Pasquesi & Howe, LLP, Lake Forest