Preparing for the Future: Spring Workshop Series

TIME:

• All presentations will take place from 9-10 a.m. (Arizona time)

LOCATION:

• These workshops will be offered virtually by Zoom

SCHEDULE & TOPICS:

Friday, February 14: Estate Planning: The Basics

Presented by Emily Kile and Matthew Gobatto. Tune in to learn about the basics of estate planning! Do you understand the importance of health care powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney and living Wills? Have you wondered if you can have a special needs trust as part of your Will, Trust or as a stand along document? The speakers will cover these topics and more.

Friday, March 7: Funding a Special Needs Trust

Presented by Karen Starbowski. Special Needs Trusts allow caregivers a way to provide for their dependent with special need’s care and quality of life, without disqualifying them for federal assistance. The money in the trust can help to supplement standard services and benefits provided by government agencies. We will discuss different types of special needs trusts, considerations of when to fund, and various funding options.

Friday, April 11: IEPs vs. 504 Plans

Presented by Lori Kirsch-Goodwin and Hope Kirsch, nationally recognized special education attorneys, this session will explore the differences between Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Accommodation Plans. They will provide an overview of the laws governing each, guide parents through the process from eligibility to plan development, and offer strategies for addressing disputes effectively.

Friday, May 9: Turning 18 – Decision Making, Guardianship and Public Benefits

Join legal expert Megan Selvey of Bivens & Associates Law Firm for an insightful presentation that will cover important topics parents need to know about the transition that happens at age 18, including information about guardianship, powers of attorney, supported decision-making, applying for SSI, and a refresh of ALTCS rules to be aware of.

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EVENT CONTACT:

Devin Dye, SARRC Planned Giving Manager, ddye@autismcenter.org or 602-218-8183

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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Emily Kile: Emily B. Kile is a graduate of the Northeastern School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Colorado, Boulder and holds a Masters Degree in Psychology from Boston College. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NEALA), past President of the Arizona Chapter (2008), a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the Special Needs Alliance, and the Board of Directors for the Special Needs Alliance (2023-2024). Emily is a member of the Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Maricopa County Bar Association. She has been a guest lecturer at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University regarding public benefits and special needs trusts. She is licensed to practice law in Arizona. She has been licensed to practice law since 1993. She practices in the areas of: estate planning, guardianship, conservatorship, ALTCS planning, probate and trust administration, and special needs planning.

Matthew Gobatto: Matthew A. Gobbato is a Partner with Mushkatel, Gobbato & Kile, P.L.L.C and concentrates his practice on probate matters, estate planning, special needs planning, real estate and trust administration. Matthew received his J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University School (Texas A&M) of Law, and his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business. Matthew is a graduate of Leadership West and is the President of the West Maricopa County Bar Association.

Karen Starbowski: Karen Starbowski is a SpecialCare Planner. She has been working with the special needs community for almost 15 years. During this time, she has worked with SARRC and their Planned Giving Advisory Council. Additionally, she also works with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix and the Down Syndrome Network of AZ.

Lori Kirsch-Goodwin: Lori Kirsch-Goodwin is a partner in the education law firm of Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC, in Scottsdale, Arizona, founded in 2006. She is a 38 year litigation attorney whose practice is devoted to education and special education matters on behalf of students and their families throughout Arizona. Lori has a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and her law degree from Bridgeport (now Quinnipiac) University. Lori began advocating for students with disabilities when one of her twin sons, now 29 years old, was found in need of special education back in Kindergarten. Lori is regularly involved in eligibility/MET and IEP meetings, MDRs, disciplinary due process hearings, OCR, IDEA Due Process, Title IX and DDD appeals. She is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in New York, New Jersey, Arizona and the 9th Circuit, and is AV-rated. Lori prevailed in a case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that involved appropriateness of a school’s selection of location of a school for a student on the spectrum. She is an AV® Preeminent rated attorney and is appointed to serve as Judge Pro Tem for the Superior Court of Arizona.

Hope Kirsch: Hope N. Kirsch is a founder and managing partner of the education law firm Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC (est. 2006) which serves students and their families throughout Arizona in disputes with schools. Hope is a licensed special education teacher and worked in the New York City public schools for 18 years as a special education teacher and school administrator. She assists and represents clients with IEPs, 504s, discipline (suspensions, expulsions, MDRs), mediation, OCR Complaints, Due Process Complaints, mediation, appeals, Title IX and Arizona Interscholastic Association hardship appeals. Hope earned a B.S., cum laude, in Special Education from Boston University (1975), an M.A.(Ed.) in Special Education from New York University (1977), and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School (1991). She is admitted in the state and federal courts of Arizona, New York and New Jersey, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Megan Selvey: Megan Selvey is an experienced attorney specializing in estate planning, special needs planning, long-term care planning, guardianships and conservatorships. She regularly advises clients on matters related to protecting wealth and providing for loved ones with special needs. She is also well versed in all public benefits eligibility rules, including Social Security income benefits and AHCCCS/ALTCS programs.

Thank you to SARRC’s Planned Giving Professional Advisory Council Education Committee for coordinating these workshops!