Attorney News

Our Attorneys Speak Out

Washington University Welcomes Martha
Martha C. Brown presented “Elder Law-An Update of Recent Developments” during the Missouri Best Practices Seminar. This seminar was presented by Washington University Law Negotiation & Dispute Resolution Program and United States Arbitration and Mediation Midwest, Inc.


Brigid Talks about Estate Planning
Brigid Fernandez discussed “Estate Planning and Important Legal Documents” during the St. Louis Chapter AARP Estate Planning event. This event was at the Heritage House on Olive Street in St. Louis on March 28th.


Martha Presents at NAELA Boot Camp
Martha C. Brown presented “First and Third Party Special Needs Trusts” for the Missouri Chapter of The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Boot Camp. This event was held at Bogey Hills Country Club in St. Charles, MO.


Martha Meets with Special Needs Parents
Martha C. Brown participated in a panel discussion during a Giant Steps parent workshop. Giant Steps of St. Louis is a special education school and therapy center for children with autism.


Legal Planning Techniques is Discussed
Brigid Fernandez conducted a 2 part, 3 hour seminar on “Legal Planning Techniques for the Elderly or Clients with Disabilities and Guardianships” during the National Association of Social Workers MO Chapter Continuing Education Series. This presentation was given at the Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis and the MSU Alumni Center in Springfield, MO.


Micah Presents Medicare Set Asides
Micah Huff discussed “Medicare Set Asides in Personal Injury Litigation.” This event was at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza in Clayton, MO.


Martha Contributes to Career Panel
Martha C. Brown spoke to St. Louis University Law Students on an Elder Law Career Panel. The event was sponsored by St. Louis University Law Career Services.


Brigid Meets with Residents
Brigid Fernandez discussed “Important Legal Documents” to residents of The Sarah Community which include an assisted living facility and an independent living facility.


Martha Facilitates Webinar
Martha C. Brown participated in the MO Bar Webinar titled “The Next Step Series: Guardianship for Adults.” This webinar taught participants the process of how to obtain guardianship of an adult in Missouri.


Brigid Discusses Family Dynamics
Brigid Fernandez discussed “Family Dynamics and Difficult Family Situations” during a presentation at Parc Provence Living Community in Creve Coeur, MO.


Martha Meets with Women’s Guild
Martha C. Brown discussed Elder Care Law Issues to the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Women’s Guild. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is located on North Warson Road in Ladue, MO.


Brigid Speaks at HDSA Conference
Brigid Fernandez spoke at the Huntington’s Disease Society of America St. Louis Family Conference. Her presentation was titled “Planning and Paying for Long Term Care.” The conference was presented by HDSA St. Louis Chapter and the HDSA Center of Excellence at Washington University School of Medicine. For information about HDSA visit www.hdsa.org/stl.


Martha Speaks to Credit Union Employees
Martha C. Brown discussed Estate Planning to Anheuser Busch Credit Union employees at the location on Lynch Street in St. Louis, MO.


Brigid Speaks with Alzheimer’s Group
Brigid Fernandez talked with an Alzheimer’s support group about Important Legal documents at Lenoir Woods Lutheran Senior Services Community in Columbia, MO.


Brigid Presents Continuing Education Class
Brigid Fernandez gave a continuing education seminar to BJC Social Workers on January 11th. The subject was Planning and Paying for Long Term Care, MO HealthNet and Guardianships.


Martha C. Brown discusses Self-Advocacy of Individuals with Disabilities
Martha C. Brown talks about “Self-Advocacy’s Growing Momentum” in an article on the Special Needs Alliance website. She talks about how individuals with disabilities participate in community life to the fullest extent possible and live their lives based on their own personal needs and preferences, which may differ from what others envision for them. She talks about there being a need to teach self-advocacy within the special education system to instill assertiveness and self-esteem. She also discusses government budget cuts and how this will hinder the self-advocacy of the disabled. To read the entire article, please visit: www.specialneedsalliance.org/self-advocacys-growing-momentum


Micah Huff Discusses Medicare’s Mandatory Insurer Reporting
During the seminar "Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation," Micah Huff will be presenting "Taking Medicare’s Interests into Consideration: Mandatory Insurer Reporting." This seminar will be on Friday, February 24th and will be held at Sheraton Clayton Plaza in Clayton, Missouri. This seminar is a basic to intermediate level course and will provide guidance in Medicare Set-Aside compliance and will benefit attorneys, in-house counsel, insurance claims professionals and paralegals. This seminar offers continuing education credits. For additional information and to register for this event, please visit:www.nbi-sems.com


Brigid Fernandez Writes Prime Life Circuit Article
Brigid wrote an article called "Estate Planning: The Holidays Can Be a Great Time to Get Your Affairs in Order" in Prime Life Circuit’s December issue. To view, visit: Prime Life Circuit-Estate Planning article


Micah Huff Discusses Probate
Micah Huff presented "How to Proceed through Probate" for new lawyers at a continuing legal education class sponsored by the Missouri Bar Association. This event was on October 22nd in Clayton, MO.


Brigid Fernandez Talks to UMC Students
Brigid discussed "Health care - Power of Attorney" to graduate social work students at the University of Missouri School of Social Work on November 29th.


Brigid Fernandez Provides Professional Continuing Education for Social Workers
Brigid gave a continuing education seminar to the Social Workers for Fesenius Medical Care on November 16th on the importance of Advanced Directives and Powers of Attorney.


The Firm was a Sponsor and Exhibitor at the Brain Injury Conference
Martha C. Brown & Associates was a sponsor and exhibitor at the 7th Annual Brain Injury Association of Missouri Statewide Conference at the St. Charles Convention Center. In addition, Brigid Fernandez was the moderator and a presenter on a panel titled "Guardianship, Social Security and Alternative Legal and Financial Options for Persons with Brain Injury." This three day event was October 20th-22nd.


Martha C. Brown Talks to SLU School of Law Students
Martha discussed "Special Needs Trusts" to students at Saint Louis University School of Law on November 2nd.


Brigid Fernandez Talks about Long Term Care
Brigid presented "Planning and Paying for Long Term Care" at Mary Mother of the Church on November 14th.


The Firm was a Sponsor at the Show Me Summit on Aging & Health
Martha C. Brown & Associates was a sponsor and exhibitor at the Show Me Summit on Aging & Health held at the St. Louis Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet. This year’s theme was "Living Longer, Getting Stronger." Brigid Fernandez presented "MO HealthNet: Planning and Paying for Long Term Care" during Wednesday’s morning session.

Brigid Fernandez contributes to an article in the St. Louis Business Journal
Brigid Fernandez was a contributor to an article written by Matthew Hibbard for the Wealth & Estate Planning Special Section of the November 4th edition of the St. Louis Business Journal - The five must-have estate planning documents. To view the complete article click The Five Must Have Documents


Martha C. Brown discusses "Should the special needs trust own a house?"
Check out the May edition of The Voice,the Special Needs Alliance newsletter where Martha C. Brown addresses the often asked question "should the special needs trust own a house?" "Buying a House for a Special Needs Beneficiary: Proceed with Care!"


Martha C. Brown Appears on Talk Show Martha Brown was a guest on the iwathchradio.com talk show "Caring for Mom Together" with Diane Keefe. Martha talks about various issues concerning older adults and caregivers. To view the discussion, please visit: Martha C. Brown's appearance on Caring for Mom Together


Elder Law: When is it necessary and appropriate? Martha Brown will be speaking on Elder Law: When is it necessary and appropriate? On behalf of the Special Needs Families Lecture Series on September 21, 2011 at 7 p.m. at St. John Mercy Medical Center, Conference Center, Austin Carroll Room. To RSVP contact: JoAnn Browy Denaro at 618-233-2026 ext. 7162 or email Joann Browy Denaro


Special Needs Trusts are Discussed during Legal Webinar Martha C. Brown participated in a joint panel discussion titled "Leveraging Special Needs Trusts to Obtain Public Benefits" during a legal webinar for Strafford Publications. The teleconference was June 15th.


Brigid Fernandez Discusses Medicare with Social Workers Brigid Fernandez presented the "Medicare Skilled Nursing Home Benefit" with Social Workers in Home Care at their monthly meeting held at the Brentmoor Retirement Community. Medicare beneficiaries are routinely being denied their skilled nursing home benefit based on the "improvement standards." She discussed the rules and regulations governing Medicare and the fact that many Medicare beneficiaries are denied this benefit.


Firm Attends Prime Times Senior Expo Martha C. Brown & Associates was an exhibitor at the Prime Times Senior Expo on July 21st. This resource fair for older adults was sponsored by the Webster-Kirkwood Times and South County Times and was held at Orlando Gardens in Webster Groves, Missouri.


Martha Brown Speaks to SLU Students Martha C. Brown talked with St. Louis University students during their Law Practice Management class. She discussed "Office Systems."


Brigid Fernandez Meets with NASW Members Brigid Fernandez presented "It’s all about MO HealthNet-Planning and Paying for Long-Term Care" to members of the National Association of Social Workers, Missouri Chapter. This seminar was offered two days, one held at Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis and the other at the Holiday Inn East in Columbia, Missouri.


Elder Law Update Given by Martha Brown Martha C. Brown gave an elder law update during a "15 Hour Review of the Law." The two day event was sponsored by The University of Missouri Kansas City Law School and was held at Crowne Plaza in Clayton, Missouri.


Brigid Fernandez Discusses Legal Documents Brigid Fernandez presented "Important Estate Planning Documents" to participants and families at the Living Better Adult Day Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri.


Martha Brown Talks to Nursing Home Administrators Martha C. Brown presented "When the Attorney Calls" to The Coalition of Nursing Home Administrators. She discussed subpoenas, the release of information and what to do when the attorney calls. The event was held at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Festus, Missouri.


The Firms attends Health Fair at Covenant House Martha C. Brown & Associates attended the Covenant House and CHAI Apartments Senior Health Fair on June 28th. The fair brought together a variety of vendors and provided the latest resources and literature to residents and local seniors.


Martha Brown Talks about SSI and POMS Martha C. Brown discussed The Program Operations Manual System (POMS) and how it’s information is used by Social Security employees to process claims for Social Security benefits. This event was held at the DD Resources office in St. Louis, Missouri.


Brigid Fernandez Speaks with Parish Nurses Brigid Fernandez discussed "Planning and Paying for Long Term Care" with the Parish Nurses of Greater St. Louis. This event was held at the Society for the Visually Impaired on July 14th.


The Firm Attends Senior Fair in Festus Martha C. Brown & Associates participated in the Festus Senior Expo on June 22nd. The event was held at the Best Western in Festus and was sponsored by The Reader.


Martha C. Brown speaks about estate planning Martha C. Brown gave an estate planning presentation on Tuesday, February 15th to the Griffin Financial Services Group.


Martha and Brigid Attend the UnProgram Martha C. Brown and Brigid Fernandez participates during the NAELA UnProgram that was held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Columbia, Missouri. Both facilitated discussion groups on Special Needs Trusts and Special Needs Trust drafting with distribution problems, Veterans Benefits Planning issues and MO HealthNet Supplemental Nursing Care Program. It was an educational opportunity that offered NAELA members an opportunity to spend a long weekend learning and connecting by brainstorming, networking and sharing ideas with their peers.


Martha C. Brown & Associates, LLC assist clients with Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Franklin County and the surrounding areas including Arnold, Ballwin, Barnhart, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Black Jack, Bonne Terre, Brentwood, Bridgeton, Cedar Hill, Chesterfield, Clayton, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Crystal City, Des Peres, DeSoto, Ellisville, Farmington, Fenton, Festus, Ferguson, Florissant, Fredericktown, Frontenac, Hazelwood, Herculaneum, High Ridge, Hillsboro, House Springs, Imperial, Kirkwood, Ladue, Lake St. Louis, Manchester, Maplewood, Maryland Heights, Mehlville, Normandy, O'Fallon, Olivette, Pacific, Pevely, Richmond Heights, St. Ann, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Peters, Ste. Genevieve, Sunset Hills, Town & Country, University City, Union, Valley Park, Washington, Webster Groves, Wentzville , Wildwood.