NJSBF.org

You can simply get older...or get older smarter.

The public is invited to a free Senior Citizens' Law Day Conference on Tuesday, April 13, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the New Jersey Law Center off Ryders Lane in New Brunswick. Three dynamic experts will speak about a variety of issues affecting older Americans and how to plan successfully for the future. The program is sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and the New Jersey State Bar Association's Elder and Disability Law Section. A complimentary continental breakfast will be offered. Admission is free but registration is required.

The speakers are attorneys with extensive experience in elder law: Robert F. Brogan of Point Pleasant, Brenda S. McElnea of West Orange, and Lawrence A. Friedman of Bridgewater. All are members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the New Jersey State Bar Association's Elder and Disabilities Law Section and have been Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, an organization approved by the American Bar Association. Mr. Friedman also serves as chair of the Senior Citizens' Law Day conference.

"Important Changes in Veterans' Benefits" have occurred in recent years affecting not just veterans but their families as well. Mr. Brogan will discuss new pension benefits available to veterans, their spouses and disabled children that are designed to help provide long-term care. In his overview, he will explain the specific financial and medical-need criteria that must be satisfied in order to quality for those benefits, as well as cash assistance that may be available even without a service-related injury. Accredited by the US Veterans Administration, Mr. Brogan serves as Chair of the Elder and Disability Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association and has served as a Director on the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, for which is also the legislative liaison. He is a member of Special Needs Alliance, an invitation-only national consortium of attorneys dedicated to special needs and disability law. The New Jersey State Bar Association has awarded him the Legislative Advocacy Award twice for his advocacy efforts in the field of elder law. The author of numerous articles and a radio personality, he is a graduate of Rutgers College and Rutgers School of Law-Camden.

It's a complicated world out there, and the more complicated things get, the greater the potential dangers to your personal economy. That is why it is essential to have all the facts before you make a financial decision. In her discussion of "Danger Zones: Things to Beware Of," Brenda McElnea will address the differences between IRS and Medicaid rules on giving gifts, the pitfalls of making gifts to family members and charities, nursing home contracts, identify theft and other monetary minefields to be wary of. Ms. McElnea is chair of the Essex County Bar Association's Elder Law Section, a member of the Essex County Bar Association's Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a past chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association's Elder Law Section. Additionally, she is a member of the National Guardianship Association, a Board member of the Guardianship Association of New Jersey, Inc., and a longstanding member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. A former adjunct professor of estate and elder/disability law planning at Rutgers School of Law-Newark, she has lectured before professional organizations, appeared on radio and television and writes extensively on estate and lifetime planning issues. She has a B.A. from New York University, a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law-Newark and an LL.M. degree in taxation from New York University Law School.

Yes, the current economic picture is cloudy at best. But there are steps you can take now to help meet retirement goals and ensure better days ahead. Mr. Friedman outlines those essential tactics in "Secure Your Future in Troubling Times with Planning: Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, Long-Term Care and Saving Tax." A former chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association's Elder and Disabilities Law Section, he is a member of the Board of Consultors of the Association's Real Property, Trusts and Estate Law Section. Mr. Friedman received the Association's Distinguished Legislative Service Award for drafting legislation to help New Jersey's citizens use special needs trusts to preserve disability benefits. Recognized in New Jersey Super Lawyers for his work in elder law and special needs, he is a frequent speaker on those topics as well as estate and tax planning. For many years Mr. Friedman has chaired and lectured at programs to teach elder law, special needs, and estate and tax planning to other lawyers. He has contributed to numerous treatises on elder law, special needs, and estate and tax planning and has authored many articles for lawyers and the public. Mr. Friedman has served on the board of directors of many nonprofit organizations including Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey, and as director of the New Jersey chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He received his law degree and a Master of Laws degree in taxation from New York University School of Law.

A question-and-answer period follows each presentation. To register, visit the New Jersey State Bar Foundation online at www.njsbf.org, For the Public, Events; call 1-800-FREE LAW; or write to Senior Citizens' Law Day, New Jersey State Bar Foundation, One Constitution Square, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1520.

Founded in 1958, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation is the educational and philanthropic arm of the New Jersey State Bar Association. The Bar Foundation's mission is to promote public understanding of the law through a free, comprehensive public education program. Among its activities, the Foundation conducts seminars and conflict resolution training, publishes materials, operates a videotape loan library and speakers bureau, and coordinates elementary, middle and high school mock trial competitions. For more information about the Foundation's programs and publications, visit online at www.njsbf.org or call 1-800-FREE-LAW.

Directions: From the NJ Turnpike take Exit 9 to Route 18 North. Follow signs for Route 1 South to Ryders Lane-New Brunswick. The Law Center is the first right turn off Ryders Lane. From Princeton take Route 1 North to the second Ryders Lane exit (Ryders Lane-New Brunswick). The Law Center is the first right turn.