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Ed Fortier with Strategic Stewardship, Kevin McDonough with Miles Hansford & Tallant, and Rand Cabus with Mojo Vinyl Records

February 6, 2018 by Mike

North Fulton Business Radio

Ed Fortier with Strategic Stewardship, Kevin McDonough with Miles Hansford & Tallant, and Rand Cabus with Mojo Vinyl Records

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John Ray, Kevin McDonough, Rand Cabus, Ed Fortier

Ed Fortier/Strategic Stewardship

Complexity and volatility in today’s financial and business environment dictate a collaborative planning approach. Strategic Stewardship integrates their knowledge with specialists in legal, accounting, banking, trusts, benefits, retirement, and related fields for their clients. Their national reach through PartnersFinancial, a national community of industry-leading, independent life insurance and financial professionals, and NFP gives them access to institutional resources without sacrificing responsive personal service. For more than 25 years, the organization has supported its members as they build insurance industry knowledge and expertise. In the process, PartnersFinancial members created a powerful culture of ideas sharing and collaboration – all for the benefit of their claims.

Kevin McDonough/Miles Hansford & Tallant

Attorney Kevin McDonough with Miles Hansford & Tallant has worked with businesses for the past 15 years. In this role, Kevin has been involved in all parts of a business life – from starting a company, to helping draft contracts, to protecting a company involved in litigation, to participating in the sale or wind down of a business. Across these issues, Kevin focuses on bringing strategic, practical concepts to solve legal and business problems. As a continuation of his business focused law practice, Kevin is civically involved working to help businesses as well. He is chairman elect of the Cumming Forsyth Chamber of Commerce.

Rand Cabus/Mojo Vinyl Records

Mojo Vinyl Records is an independent record store established in 2011 in historic Roswell, GA. The store buys and sells new and used records. They also sell Audio-Technica, Music Hall and Pioneer turntables, art and miscellaneous cool stuff. Mojo Vinyl Records celebrates Record Store Day every year since 2012. Their motto is “Listen Naked” since vinyl is the natural sound. Come by, hang out and listen to some good music. Buy something too.

Estate Planning for the Problem Child: Dealing with Addiction, Slackers, and Bad Marriages

October 25, 2017 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Estate Planning for the Problem Child: Dealing with Addiction, Slackers, and Bad Marriages

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Craig Frankel, Jillian Wagenheim, Mary Galardi, Adam Gaslowitz

Mary Galardi/Galardi Law

Mary B. Galardi founded Galardi Law 19 years ago and practices in the areas of estate planning, probate and business law. She was elected a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel in 2017. She has been chosen as a Georgia Super Lawyer since 2006 and one of the top 50 women lawyers in the state, most recently this year. Mary received her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University, graduating cum laude.

Mary is active in the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar, currently serving as Chair for 2017-18. She is active in the Atlanta Bar Association where she has served as Chair of the Estate Planning Section.

Jillian Wagenheim/Sertus Consulting

Jillian Wagenheim is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Sertus Consulting, LLC. With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, she has found her passion facilitating and acting as a change agent, helping nonprofits, individuals and multigenerational families explore next generation engagement in their philanthropy and family enterprises.

Jillian is a highly respected speaker, both nationally and internationally, on the topics of next generation engagement, innovation, values identification and generational personalities and perspectives.

Before opening her own consulting firm, Jillian was Director of Family Philanthropy at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta assisting multigenerational families with engaging the next generation. Prior to that, she held the position of Senior Philanthropic Advisor focusing on Next Gen Major Donors. Jillian has also served as the Director of Membership Services at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, the largest and oldest Conservative synagogue in Atlanta. While there, she implemented programs focused on engaging the next generation in synagogue life which earned the synagogue national recognition with a Gold Solomon Schechter Award. Jillian taught fifth grade for three years in an Atlanta elementary school after earning a BA in Elementary Education at Michigan State University.

Jillian is a certified speaker and consultant for 21/64, a nonprofit specializing in mutigenerational engagement in philanthropy and family enterprise. She is a member of, and holds a Certificate in Family Wealth Advising (CFWA) and a Certificate in Family Business Advising (CFBA) from, the Family Firm Institute.

Jillian can be reached at jillian@sertusconsults.com or 404.272.7555

ABOUT GASLOWITZ FRANKEL, LLC:

Gaslowitz Frankel is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation throughout Georgia and the Southeast. With a focus on representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in dispute involving wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, businesses, and securities law, their experienced and highly qualified litigation attorneys have tremendous credentials and a proven history of success.

To watch the video of this show, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

So You Think Your Estate Plan is Done: Fixable Problems/Simple Cures?

July 27, 2016 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

So You Think Your Estate Plan is Done: Fixable Problems/Simple Cures?

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Craig Frankel, Carly Howard, Rebecca Cummings, Adam Gaslowitz

So You Think Your Estate Plan is Done: Fixable Problems/Simple Cures? Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel discuss this topic with their special guests, Carly Howard and Rebecca Cummings.

Carly Howard/Atlantic Trust

Carly Howard is a senior wealth strategist in Atlantic Trust’s Atlanta office, with more than 10 years of industry experience. In this role, she provides high net worth clients with integrated wealth management services, including comprehensive estate and financial planning solutions, multi-generational legacy planning, and fiduciary administration for trusts and probate estates. Prior to joining Atlantic Trust, Carly was a senior vice president and personal trust specialist with BB&T Wealth’s Professional and Executive Advisory Group, where she provided customized wealth management services for executives and business owners with a focus on fiduciary issues related to executive compensation. She previously served as a fiduciary specialist for BB&T Wealth in South Carolina and Wells Fargo Private Bank in North Carolina. Prior to joining the financial services industry, Carly was an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law and an attorney practicing estate planning and fiduciary litigation with major law firms in Miami and Charlotte. She holds Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Miami and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from the College of Charleston. Carly currently chairs the board of directors for PhilanthroFest, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and was included in the Community Building Initiative (CBI) Charlotte’s 2015 “Leaders Under 40” program. She has also served on the South Carolina Probate Code Revisions Committee, Charleston Tax Council, Florida Association for Women Lawyers and other trade groups. Carly has written articles for or been quoted in national and local publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Trusts & Estates magazine.

Rebecca Cummings/Rebecca Godbey Cummings, LLC

Rebecca Cummings is an expert in wills, trusts and estates. For nearly two decades, she has given clients the peace of mind that their estate planning is in perfect working order, and she has counseled families through the process of administering the estate of a loved one. Rebecca spent a decade as an entrepreneur and founder of a small law firm before becoming a partner in one of the most respected estate planning groups in Atlanta. In 2015 she established this law firm to make expert legal advice more affordable for middle class people, and in 2016 she began offering professional fiduciary services for Georgia estates and trusts. Previously a law professor, Rebecca is known for her exceptional ability to explain complex ideas and systems in simple terms; she has repeatedly been named one of the state’s “most effective” lawyers and one of the Top 100 lawyers in Georgia. Rebecca also serves as an expert witness in estate and trust disputes and is the author of “The Case Against Access to Decedents’ Email: Password Protection as an Exercise of the Right to Destroy.” Rebecca is also a dynamic speaker, facilitator, and business development coach. She is past president of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL) and she has given hundreds of workshops, presentations and keynote speeches to companies and organizations such as Coca Cola, the CDC, Emory, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, on topics as diverse as Georgia’s trust code, running effective meetings, and successful negotiation strategies. Rebecca returns year after year to facilitate strategic planning retreats for organizations that value her ability to create fun and productive multi-day planning sessions for their employees and volunteers. She is affiliated with Novateur Partners, an Atlanta-based consulting, training and coaching company. Rebecca earned her B.A. at Emory University and her J.D. at William & Mary Law School.

ABOUT GASLOWITZ FRANKEL, LLC:

To watch the video of this show, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Financial Management and Life Care Options for Seniors

June 22, 2016 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Financial Management and Life Care Options for Seniors

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Robert Port, Miles Hurley, Chris Foster, Barbara Scurry, Adam Gaslowitz

Adam Gaslowitz and Robert Port discuss Financial Management and Life Care Options for Seniors on this episode of “Wealth Matters“. Guests include Miles Hurley, Partner at Hurley Elder Care Law; Barbara Scurry, Owner at Senior Partners; and Chris Foster, Executive Director at A Hand to Hold.

Miles Hurley/Hurley Elder Care Law

Miles Patrick Hurley is an Elder Law attorney in private practice in Atlanta, serving the legal needs of the elderly population on issues related to aging; including retaining independence,quality of life and financial security. Mr. Hurley is one of ten attorneys in the state of Georgia to receive the Elder Law Attorney Certification (CELA), and one of approximately 400 nationwide.

Miles is committed to making the process of planning for the future – our own and that of those we love – as pain-free as possible. His firm holds the philosophy that dedicated client service and individualized plans can actually make this difficult process empowering and even rewarding.

Providing comprehensive legal solutions for elders by helping families find, get and pay for good long-term care
Life Care Planning
Veterans Benefits Eligibility
Medicaid and nursing home planning
Guardianship/Conservatorship
Asset Protection
Special Needs planning
Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney
Probate and Estate Administration

Miles has undergraduate degrees from Emory University and University of Tennessee and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law.

Barbara Scurry/Senior Partners

Barbara Scurry grew up in Minneapolis, MN but has lived in the Atlanta area since late 2000. She graduated cum lade with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University and had a corporate career in marketing in the manufacturing, financial services, and geriatric healthcare industries.

While doing sales and business development in nursing homes and marketing for a Continuing Care Retirement Community and a private-duty home care company, she developed a passion for working with senior citizens. In 2011, Barbara started Senior Partners (formerly The Money Moxie) to be a financial advocate that provides peace of mind to seniors who are struggling with their daily life and money matters.

With her skill at organizing chaos, Barbara and her staff of three Senior Partners, get things done for their clients, protect them from fraud, help keep them independent, and save them money. Senior Partners specializes in providing above and beyond personalized, concierge-type services for their clients.

Barbara lives in Norcross and part-time in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband Darryl and has recently taken up yoga and cardio boxing as her outlet for stress.

Chris Foster/A Hand to Hold

As an inspirational business leader, Chris Foster brings 25 years of business management in the Atlanta market to A Hand To Hold, one of Georgia’s largest private duty home care agencies. As a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) & Gerontologist, Chris is an expert in the field of aging and senior care. With extensive experience in business management, marketing, public speaking and leadership, Chris strives to bring inspirational messages, timely information and reliable resources to the seniors of Georgia.

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

To watch the video of this show, CLICK HERE.

If you would like to watch past episodes of “Wealth Matters”, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

The ABC’s of Asset Protection

April 22, 2015 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

The ABC's of Asset Protection

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Craig Frankel, Tony Turner, Katlyn Dennis, Adam Gaslowitz

On this episode of “Wealth Matters”, hosts Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel discuss the ABC’s of asset protection with their special guests Tony Turner and Katlyn Dennis.

Katlyn Dennis/NFP Private Client Group

Katlyn Davis of NFP Private Client Group started her career at State Farm in 2002 in South Florida, moved to Marsh Private Client Group (both in Palm Beach and Atlanta) from September 2005 through October 2010, and joined NFP Private Client Group in October 2010.

They focus on Personal Insurance for high net worth individuals and families. Reviewing their current programs and placing them with the best carrier and coverage’s for their needs. Most high net worth individuals have very comprehensive programs that need annual reviews and constant review. They can place in all 50 states and have numerous specialty markets for the hard to place risks. They are a boutique hands on firm that concentrates only on personal insurance needs.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OneNFP

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/katlyn-dennis/39/ab8/312

Tony Turner/ Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small PC

Tony Turner of Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small PC practices family wealth planning, estate and charitable planning, probate and estate administration and business succession. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, named a Top 100 Attorney in the United States by Worth Magazine, a Georgia Super Lawyer and has also been one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite.

Mr. Turner graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Juris Doctor, both with honors. He received his Master of Laws in Taxation from Emory University, graduating first in his class. Mr. Turner has also passed the Certified Public Accountant examination.

Mr. Turner actively speaks and writes about wealth planning, estate and tax planning and related topics. In 2014, he has given talks such as: “State of the Estate and Gift Tax” (Meeting of the Financial Planning Association of Georgia) and “Love, Sex, Money and Death: Estate Planning Aspects of Divorce” (American Bar Association of Family Law).

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cohen-Pollock-Merlin-Small-PC/279710319364?fref=ts

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/tony-turner/3/759/545

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

If you would like to listen to past episodes of “Wealth Matters’, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Recognizing and Avoiding Triggers That Lead To Estate Disputes

February 25, 2015 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Recognizing and Avoiding Triggers That Lead To Estate Disputes

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Robert Port, Craig Frankel, Adam Gaslowitz, Millie Baumbusch

On today’s episode of “Wealth Matters“, attorneys Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel are joined by the firm’s newest partners Robert C. Port and Millie Baumbusch for a roundtable discussion about recognizing and avoiding triggers that can lead to estate disputes.

Robert Port/Gaslowitz Frankel

Robert Port has over 30 years of experience in civil litigation, arbitration and mediation. In addition to handling business and contract disputes, and will, trust, estate, and other fiduciary disputes, Robert has an emphasis on representing investors harmed by the misconduct of their stockbroker, investment advisor, insurance agent, or other trusted advisor.

Robert has handled court and arbitration cases across a broad range of financial misconduct, including cases arising from inappropriate strategies, unsuitable sales of annuities and life insurance products, failed or unlawfully offered private placements, real estate investment trusts (REITs), excessive trading (churning), unauthorized trading, sale of unregistered securities, and losses suffered as a result of Ponzi schemes.

Robert is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been repeatedly selected as a Georgia Super Lawyer. He is the Editor of Georgia Business Litigation, a one-volume comprehensive guide to subjects that business litigators often encounter in their practices, published by the Daily Report and American Law Media (ALM). He also publishes and lectures on investing, securities litigation, and arbitration, including articles in both legal and general interest publications. He has been interviewed ind quoted by a variety of media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Daily Report.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/robertport/en

Millie Baumbusch/Gaslowitz Frankel

Millie Baumbusch is a litigator specializing in trust and estate matters. This includes contested will cases, claimes regarding trust and estate accountings, claims for breaches of fiduciary duty andabuses of powers of attorney, and a variety of disputes involving trust and esatte holdings in companies and partnerships.

A significant portion of Millie’s practice involves contested adult guardianships and conservatorships. Millie is certified in civil collaborative practice. She has made CLE presentations and lectured on guardianships, how to avoid estate disputes, and other related topics.

Prior to beginning her law practice with Gaslowitz Frankel, Millie was a lending officer to middle market companies at a New York money center bank. During her time there, she held several positions in strategic planning and market research. Millie currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ALS Association Georgia Chapter. Millie joined Gaslowitz Frankel in 2007.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/milliebaumbusch/en

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

If you would like to listen to past episodes of “Wealth Matters’, please visit their You Tube Channel.

Remember to tune in the last Wednesday of every month at 8:30 AM to listen live to their show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Trust Planning Issues Concerning Special Need Individuals

January 28, 2015 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

Trust Planning Issues Concerning Special Need Individuals

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Craig Frankel, Kristen Lewis, Fontaine Lee, Kathy Keeley, Adam Gaslowitz

On this episode of “Wealth Matters“, attorneys Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel discuss issues concerning special needs individuals with guests Kristen Lewis, an expert on special needs trust planning; Kathy Keeley, the Executive Director of All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD); and Fontaine Lee, Vice President of Cumberland Trust.

The panel will discuss information relating to special needs trust planning and helping families understand their individual roles in a special needs trust.

Kristen Lewis/Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP

Kristen M. Lewis practices law in Atlanta, GA with Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and is a nationally recognized expert on “Special Needs Trust” planning for persons challenged by disabilities. She is an active member of the Special Needs Alliance, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the American Bar Association, the New York Bar Association Elder Law Section, the State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law Section, and the Georgia Planned Giving Council. She recently completed her tenure as Co-Chair of the Long-Term Care, Medicaid and Special Needs Trusts Committee of the Elder Law, Disability Planning and Bioethics Group of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the ABA. In her free time, she trains certified service dogs for Canine Assistants based in Milton, GA.

Ms. Lewis received her B.A. degree in French and political science, with highest honors, from Wellesley College in 1981. She earned her J.D. degree from Cornell Law School in 1984. She is admitted to practice law in both New York and Georgia.

Ms. Lewis co-authored an article entitled “Top 15 Tips for Estate Planners When Planning for Special Needs”, published in Probate & Property, Volume 24, Number 2, March/April 2010, which won the magazine’s 2010 Excellence in Writing Award for “Best Overall Article – Trusts & Estates”. She most recently authored an article entitled “The Crime of the 21^st Century: Financial Abuse of Elders” which was published in Probate & Property, Volume 28, Number 4, July/August 2014.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/kristen-lewis/22/901/32

Company LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/27889

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sgrlaw

Kathy Keeley/All About Developmental Disabilities

Kathy Keeley is the Executive Director of All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD) which focuses on creating a meaningful life for individuals with developmental disabilities through family support, employment and community engagement. Prior to joining AADD, she had her own consulting firm providing strategic planning and business planning to large cities and nonprofits throughout the U.S. She is a social entrepreneur having started the first loan fund for women-owned businesses in the U.S. and the first micro-enterprise association of lenders. She is the former Chief of Staff for a Mayor, launched the Calvert Foundation, and provided technical assistance in nearly 30 counties on economic and business development. Keeley came to AADD to jump off Delta flights and make an impact in her home community with a focus on restructuring one of the longest serving nonprofits focused on developmental disabilities in Georgia.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllAboutDevelopmentalDisabilities

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AADDorg

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aadd

Fontaine Lee/Cumberland Trust & Investment Company

Fontaine Lee is currently the Vice President and Business Development Officer with Cumberland Trust & Investment Company, an independent trust company with headquarters in Nashville, TN. She opened the Atlanta office for Cumberland in the Fall of 2010 and is responsible for business development in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. Fontaine began her career at Citigroup in Institutional Fixed Income Sales and Trading where she focused on tax-exempt offerings. After receiving her M.B.A from Emory University, she transitioned from capital markets into private wealth management. Since that time, she has held business development roles at Atlanta-based Reliance Trust and with a multi-family office. Fontaine also spent two years at the Coca-Cola Company working in marketing research.

A native of Atlanta, Fontaine is actively involved with the Atlanta Vanderbilt Club and is a graduate of the Atlanta Women’s Foundation Destiny Fund program, and co-authored the L.E.A.D. program for Leadership Atlanta. She sits on the board for the Agape You and Family Center and is on the Marketing and Development Committee for Whitefoord, Inc. She has also served as a board member for Executive Women of Goizueta, the women’s alumni organization for the Goizueta Business School. In addition to her M.B.A., Fontaine has a B.A. from Vanderbilt University.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/fontaine-mcdaniel-lee/0/381/1a9

About Gaslowitz Frankel:

Gaslowitz Frankel LLC is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation, representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in will, trust, and estate disputes; investor and financial advisor disputes; shareholder/partnership disputes; contract disputes; complex commercial disputes; and appeals.

If you would like to listen to past episode of Wealth Matters please visit our YouTube Channel.

Remember to tune in the last Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. to listen live to our show!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EstateDispute

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstateDispute

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estatedispute

Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel with Gaslowitz Frankel LLC

April 23, 2014 by Mike

Gwinnett Business Radio

Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel with Gaslowitz Frankel LLC

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Mike Sammond, Craig Frankel, Adam Gaslowitz, Brandon Keever

Adam Gaslowitz & Craig Frankel/Gaslowitz Frankel LLC

Gaslowitz Frankel LLC is an experienced trial practice firm specializing in all aspects of complex fiduciary litigation, representing individuals, companies, banks, and fiduciaries in will, trust and estate disputes; investor and financial advisor disputes; shareholder/partnership disputes; contract disputes; complex commercial disputes; and appeals.

To view a special “behind the scenes” video of the interview with Adam Gaslowitz and Craig Frankel, CLICK HERE.

Arc of Georgia Leadership Shares Tips For Caring For Your Child With Special Needs

March 22, 2012 by Stone Payton

Burr Forman's Results Matter Radio

Arc of Georgia Leadership Shares Tips For Caring For Your Child With Special Needs

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Parents who have a child with special needs like a physical and/or intellectual disability face many challenges. On today’s show Deirdre O’Brien, Executive Director of the Arc of Georgia and David B Glass, Vice President of the Arc of Georgia and Principal with Glass Financial Group were kind enough to share some real tips from their own life on how to care for a child with special needs.

The Arc of Georgia is a 50+ year old non-profit organization that advocates for families and people with developmental disabilities. The Arc works to develop programs, funding and public policy that assists these people realize their goals of learning, living and working in the community.

David discussed some of the financial issues families of a disabled child have to deal with. He suggested building a team of trusted advisors (including a financial/tax planner and an attorney like James McCarten from Burr and Forman who are experienced in special needs planning) to help manage the complexity that is involved. Deirdre mentioned that a well meaning financial gift from a family member can disqualify a child from receiving government assistance so you have to be very careful with your finances. They both mentioned the importance of setting up a trust to ensure that your special needs child is set up for life.