Amy's first experience with Elder Law came as she assisted her great-grandmother with decisions regarding long term care placement. As a young attorney and grandchild, Amy's eyes were opened to the challenges families face when dealing with the complex, emotional, legal, and financial issues of planning for long term care. Since then, Amy has helped hundreds of families navigate through these same issues.

As an outgrowth of her elder law practice, a large part of Amy's practice is now devoted to planning for persons with special needs, including the drafting and administration of special needs trusts. Amy is frequently invited to speak to other professionals and community groups about special needs planning and elder law. In addition Amy is active in many boards and organizations:

• Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners-since 2007
• Member of NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Fellow of ACTEC - American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• Adjunct Professor for Cooley Law School-Summer 2009 - 2013
• Selected for inclusion in the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 editions of Super Lawyers Magazine
• Selected as Elder Law - Lawyer of the Year - Lansing in Best Lawyers 2014
• Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
• Selected in Rising Stars edition of Super Lawyers Magazine-2008 and 2009
• Recipient of the Joe D. Sutton Courage of Heart Award - Elder Law of Michigan - August 2015
• Recipient of the Courage and Heart Award from Michigan Campaign for Quality Care-September 2009
• Recipient of the Boss of the Year NAILS of Jackson County (legal support professionals)- October 2008
• Active member of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the Michigan State Bar and National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Past Member of the Advisory board of Catholic Charities Senior Advisory Council
• Author of the Special Needs Chapter for ICLE's (Institute of Continuing Legal Education) Advising the Older Client or Client with a Disability, Fourth Edition.
• Co-author/editor of the Government Entitlement chapter in the Michigan Guardianship and Conservatorship Handbook Revised Edition-2007
• Author of Be a Hero to Your Client-Seven Simple Questions about VA Aid and Attendance Pensions published in the Summer 2007 Michigan Probate & Estate Planning Journal
• Past Chair of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the Michigan State Bar
• Past Member of the executive committee of the Jackson Area Estate Planning Council.
• Past Board Member of the Huntington Society of Michigan
• Member, Planning Committee for ASK 2008
• Past Board Member of the Ella Sharp Museum-2007
• Past President of the Jackson County Bar Association
• Former Co-chair of the Jackson TRIAD
• Received a Certificate of Completion in the areas of probate and estate planning issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of MichiganPast Chair of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the Michigan State Bar 

Firm Description

Amy has devoted a large part of her practice to planning for persons with special needs. She is well-versed in the intricacies of special needs planning and passionate about helping her clients and families. When working with special needs clients and families, Amy's focus is not only on preparing special needs trusts and the other documents that are best used to preserve government benefits and protect inheritances, but also working with the families to ensure that the resources are used to improve the quality of life for the special needs child and/or other persons with special needs.

Special needs planning is a complex and emotional process. Amy is dedicated to helping you through this process. She works with clients who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), social security, Medicaid, Medicare, and services through Community Mental Health and other agencies. Amy can also assist with questions regarding guardianships, when they are needed and when alternatives are available.

Working with Amy and the Chalgian and Tripp team can help ease the anxiety of how your special needs child will be cared for both financially and emotionally now and in the future. The love and security that is provided as a parent can never be replaced, but by planning ahead, your wisdom and insight about your child can be carried throughout their lifetime.

Hours

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