Category: BGS News & Events
Joy Collaborative
August 24, 2021 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
by Cathryn D. Reher, Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Attorney While strolling along the Mississippi River at the Stone Arch Festival, amazing miniature architectural pieces for cats and dogs caught my eye. The pieces were donated by architects to raise money for the non-profit, Joy Collaborative. I went up to find out more about Joy Collaborative and ended up talking with Mark Ostrom, the Executive Director. A team of designers, architects, builders, and volunteers came together to form a local non-profit called Joy Collaborative. Together they build “joy rooms” for kids with life-limiting conditions. They were raising money at the festival to fund future projects. I have been an Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Attorney for close to 30 years and what Mark explained to me about their work was truly innovative and inspiring. Doctors deliver a diagnosis and a plan of care. The diagnosis unfortunately has financial, social, and psychological implications that many times remain unaddressed, leaving families struggling to know what to do or where to turn for help. Joy Collaborative is exploring interactive solutions to meet the social and psychological aspects of disabling conditions that leave persons isolated and under-stimulated. It is remarkable work that I know would be of interest to many of my clients. At Joy Collaborative, I prepare…
Read MoreNew Veterans Homes Slated for Fillmore County
August 19, 2021 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
By Cathryn D. Reher, VA certified and Elder Law Attorney For years, the Minnesota Veterans Homes has sought funding to build additional campuses. There are currently four Minnesota Veterans Homes located in Minneapolis, Fergus Falls, Luverne, and Silver Bay. Finally, there has been movement with the projected development for a fifth facility in Preston, Minnesota. Most veterans are not aware that they and their spouses might be eligible for long-term care benefits through federal VA veterans benefits and/or the Minnesota Veterans Homes. I am a VA certified planner and have worked with Minnesota Veterans Homes for 25 years, assisting veterans and their spouses to understand the eligibility rules. I advise on the best approach to protect resources for veterans and their spouses in need of long-term care or wanting to plan as they age. One of the challenges that has been presented is the wait lists for Veterans Home admission. Thus, part of planning is to make sure that any plan around admission to each Veterans Home location also contemplate qualifying for medical assistance to pay for long term care. Medical assistance laws and policies are much trickier. It is critical any plan for the Veterans Homes also enable qualification or not adversely impact eligibility for medical assistance. Finding local counsel with the…
Read MoreExperienced Elder Law/Elder Care and Special Needs Planning Attorney Cathryn Reher Joins Barna, Guzy & Steffen Law Firm
July 26, 2021 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.
Attorney Cathryn Reher has joined the firm as a Shareholder with more than 30 years of experience. She is recognized for her thorough and detailed estate and long-term care planning analysis and passionate advocacy on behalf of her clients. Cathryn will work closely with our existing team of Estate Planning Attorneys, enhancing the firm’s ability to serve our community. She is certified in federal veterans benefits and has assisted clients with Veterans Homes planning since 1993. Since the 1990s, Cathryn has regularly served as faculty and makes presentations on elder law and special needs planning topics at continuing legal education courses for attorneys through Minnesota CLE and the Minnesota NAELA chapter. She also teaches courses to non-legal professionals obtaining continuing education credits and served as faculty for more than a decade with Kaplan Professional Schools. Long recognized as a leader in her field of law, Cathryn has received multiple accolades from peers and clients over the years. She has been repeatedly named a Super Lawyer, including an award as ‘Top 5 Elder Law Super Lawyer.’ The Minnesota State Bar association awarded her the 2005 Mary Alice Gooderl Award and in 2019 she was named to the Elder Law Section Hall of Fame. Elder Law/Elder Care and Special Needs Planning impacts everyone, not just…
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