ELDER LAW SERIES – 2009

Pathways to Legal & Financial Solutions
Empowerment for the 55+ Population.

Kickoff Workshop – Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Elder Law Series Workshops – Six Consecutive Tuesdays
May 5 to June 9, 2009 – All workshops are 1:30 to 3:30 PM.

Download the brochure:  Page 1 and Page 2 (includes registration form)

KICK-OFF WORKSHOP
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 – 1:30-3:30 PM
Don't Be Cheap, Be Fiscally Responsible!
Top Saving Strategies for These Crazy Times

Speaker:  Michael Rubin, CPA, CFP, MBA, Total Candor, LLC
Feel like the only way you'll ever be able to save is to win the lottery or get a major inheritance?  Hate budgets?  Concerned about feeling or even appearing cheap?  You're not alone.  This seminar will teach you how to save on your current income – without budgeting.  But fair warning: you will probably be thinking more and spending less after leaving.

WORKSHOP 1
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 – 1:30-3:30 PM
Retirement Income on the House
Speaker:  Susan B. Garland, Editor, Kiplinger's Retirement Report
A discussion of the latest rules governing Reverse Mortgages that allow seniors to cash in on the equities of their homes without having to repay the loan during their lifetime, as well as other ideas for boosting retirement income including immediate payout annuities, deferred annuities and life settlements.

WORKSHOP 2
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 – 1:30-3:30 PM
Social Security Update - Let's Go Online First!
Speakers:  Mae J. Novak, District Manager, and Lester Austin, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration
Find out what's new at Social Security for consumers young and young at heart.  Unlock the secrets of what you can do online at socialsecurity.gov.

WORKSHOP 3
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 – 1:30-3:30 PM
Selecting Competent Tax, Financial, Estate Planning and other Legal Professionals to Help Aging Persons
Speakers:  Nancy Coleman, Project Manager, National Veterans Legal Services Program; Peg Downey, CFP, NAPFA, RLP, Kinder Institute of Life Planning; Money Plans, and Ann Jakabcin, Partner, Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong, Driscoll & Greenfeig, P.C.
This panel will present their thoughts as to the best ways to find competent professional advisors to assist in estate planning, financial planning and tax planning.  What kind of advice is needed?  Where do you start?  Who is best for you?

WORKSHOP 4
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 – 1:30-3:30 PM
Putting an End to the Exploitation of Senior Citizens
Speakers:  Eric Friedman, Director, Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection and John McCarthy, State's Attorney for Montgomery County, Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office
Mr. Friedman will focus on scams involving unlicensed home improvement contractors, fake checks, door-to-door sales, and credit practices.  Mr. McCarthy will discuss the prosecution role in addressing such issues, and the prosecutor's current role in education and prevention.  He will also announce the implementation of a new program called Montgomery's CASE/PASE project:  Putting an End to the Exploitation of Seniors.

WORKSHOP 5
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – 1:30-3:30 PM
Strategies for Planning Your Estate
Speakers:  Anne W. Coventry, Esq., and Marcia C. Fidis, Esq., Principals, Pasternak & Fidis, P.C.
Two estates and trusts attorneys will discuss the estate planning process, what steps you need to take, and what issues you need to think about to accomplish your estate planning objectives.

WORKSHOP 6
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 – 1:30-3:30 PM
Funeral Industry Practices:  A Costly and - Grave - Matter!
Speakers:  Joanne Hamilton, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, The University of Maryland Cooperative Extension and Nancy J. Herin, Consultant
Funerals are one of the three biggest purchases that most families make, often during a time of emotional overload.  Are you uneasy about discussing your final wishes?  Are you hesitant to talk about your funeral?  Learn about funeral industry practices that entice the undecided to spend large sums of money on higher-priced goods and services.  Learn about your rights as a funeral consumer - crucial to minimizing costs - and hear why it is essential that you understand that a funeral transaction is above all else, a business transaction.  Pre-planning can provide peace of mind for family members and allow an opportunity to discuss options and shop for services.

Full Series Registration (all 7 workshops):  $25 (postmarked by April 22)
Individual Workshop Registration$5 per workshop

To register, complete the attached form (above) and return it with your check or money order (no cash) made payable to Montgomery County EAC.

Mail Registration Form & Payment to:

2009 Elder Law Series
Montgomery County
Cooperative Extension
18410 Muncaster Road
Derwood, MD 20855-1421