Library Launches "Disability Law" Presentations for Local Families

BELMAR, NJ — The Belmar Public Library has announced a new program titled "Disability Law for Families with Special Needs Children." The three-part presentation will educate families about the legal issues surrounding the lives of special needs children, including "education, estate planning, legal rights, and more."

The presentations will be given by Tina James Esq. James focuses on estate planning and administration, guardianship and decision-making, disability discrimination, and special needs planning for people with disabilities and their families, according to the library.

The first presentation will be held on October 24 at 6 p.m. at the library. This week's presentation is titled "Planning for your Child with Disabilities."

"This presentation covers special needs planning, including the importance of estate planning, the use of special needs trusts, options for selecting trustees, ways to fund a special needs trust, knowing when a guardianship may be appropriate, alternatives to guardianship, and an overview of government benefits like social security, Medicaid, other entitlements," a library statement read. "The goal of this presentation is to educate families who have a child, grandchild, or even a sibling with a disability."

The second presentation will be held on November 14 at 6 p.m. It is titled "Special Needs Trust and NJ Able Accounts."

This presentation educates parents, grandparents, and other family members on the importance of an estate plan, what happens without an estate plan, and how they could jeopardize their family member's benefits if they die without an estate plan or one that's not properly prepared," a statement reads. "This presentation covers the fundamentals of Wills, Special Needs Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Medical Directives, NJ Able Accounts, the transfer of non-probate assets, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, and creating a plan to care for their family member after they are gone."**BULLSEYE

The final presentation is on December 12 at 6 p.m. The presentation is titled "Successful Transition to Adulthood." This presentation will focus on when guardianship is needed, essential physician certifications, supported decision-making, the role of court appointed counsel, and more. Additionally, participants will learn about "applying for entitlements like supplemental security income, Medicaid, educational entitlement in the school system, and services through the New Jersey of Division of Developmental Disabilities."

These presentations are all free and open to the public. For more information, visit the library's website here, call at 732-681-0775, or visit in person at 517 10th Avenue.