The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Two attorneys, a father and brother of a young man with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), discuss: government benefits (SSI, Medicaid, etc.), special needs trusts, guardianship, guidance to the "future" guardians, trustees and care providers, impact of parents' divorce on government benefits, educating family and friends, beneficiary designations, and related topics. Attorneys Brian and Benjamin Rubin, father and brother of Mitchell Rubin, who has Autism, will present on the following topics: 

 ►    Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare and related matters.

 ►    Special Needs Trusts, Special Provisions in parents’ and extended family members’ Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney, choosing future Guardians and Trustees, and related matters.

 ►    The correct way to make gifts to, name beneficiary & leave inheritances for an individual who is, or will be, receiving SSI and/or Medicaid.

 ►    Necessary provisions in order for Divorce Child Support, when there is a child with special needs, not to prohibit, reduce, or eliminate Government Benefits.

 ►    Adult Guardianship & the Alternative, such as Powers of Attorney.

 ►    Guidance to “Future Team” (Trustees, Guardians, & Care Providers).

 ►    and many related topics.

Brian Rubin, an attorney since 1976, limits his practice to serving the future planning needs of his fellow families of indivouals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or mental illness.  Brian is the President of The Arc of Illinois, Past Chairman of the State of Illinois Statewide Advisory Council on Developmental Disabilities, Co-Chairman of the State of Illinois Autism Task Force since 2005, a Commissioner on the State of Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission; a member of the Board of Clearbrook, non-profit, serving more than 3,500 individuals with developmental disabilities, a member of the Board of Pact, Inc. a non-profit organization that serves as Trustee of Special Needs Trusts, as well as available to serve as Guardian, a member of the Board of the Special Needs Alliance, the national, non-profit, association of experienced special needs planning attorneys (membership is by invitation only); served on the Special Needs Law Section Steering Committee of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, was a Charter Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners; & is a Faculty Member & Text Book Author for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE).  Brian is a frequent author and lecturer on the topic of appropriate future planning for families of individuals with special needs (visit www.rubinlaw.com), and has spoken at previous ASA Conferences, Arc of U.S. Conferences, and NAMI Conferences.

Benjamin (Benji) Rubin:  Brian’s youngest son, Mitchell’s “little/big” brother, graduated from the University of Illinois Law School, Magna Cum Laude, and received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University.  Benji is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, an affiliate member of the Special Needs Alliance, serves as the President of SIBS (Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters, the Illinois chapter of the national Sibling Leadership Network, and serves on the Leadership Committee of the Supported Community Living Initiative, a joint venture of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, the Jewish Child and Family Services, and Keshet, regarding residential and day programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Learning Objectives: