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Avapp Recession Proof Your Practice
- 1. Recession Proof Your Law Practice Through VA Pension Planning James (Jim) Swain, JD Founder and CEO of the Academy of VA Pension Planners WealthCounsel Member More than 26 years experience in Estate and Income Tax Planning. Co-Developer of ElderCounsel’s 2 Day VA Pension Course.
- 2. Challenges to Your Law Practice Challenges for Estate Planning and Elder Law practices in current economy: Discretionary spending is being cut N o urgency to plan Competition among growing number of attorneys Clients want guarantee that plans will benefit them
- 3. Recession Proof Your Law Practice with VA Pension Planning There are more than 20 million people who potentially could qualify for the VA Pension This is the fastest growing segment of the population
- 4. Living War Period Veterans and Surviving Spouses World War II - 2,300,000* Korean War – 2,300,000* Vietnam War – 7,130,000* Gulf War and Iraq War – not determined Surviving Spouses – 3 to 5 million * VA November 2008
- 5. Benefits of Adding VA Pension Planning to Your Law Practice Seniors are living longer Family concern over paying for long-term care There is an urgency to complete planning Knowledge in the legal community is limited With VA pension planning you are selling money Fees are an investment not an expense Gives you access to other family members and friends Huggable Clients
- 6. What is the VA Improved Pension Benefit? The VA pension is a benefit available through the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist Veterans and their Surviving Spouses in paying for medical expenses. It is only available to veterans (and their surviving spouses) who served during a war period. The benefit can be significant: $1,949 per month for Veteran with dependent $1,644 per month for Single Veteran $1,056 per month for Surviving Spouse
- 7. What is the VA Improved Pension Benefit? There are Four Tests for qualification: Military Service and Marriage, Medical Condition, Income for VA Purposes Net Worth
- 8. How can your Practice Benefit from Serving these Clients? Income and asset limitations open opportunities. This allows you to offer billable services to provide, such as: Analysis of options New legal documents Administration of trusts Review of investments Access to family members Tax returns Medicaid applications Investments Referrals
- 9. How can you Build New Referral Sources through VA Pension Planning? Reaching out to the elder population can increase referrals. If Seniors are not Veterans they have friends and relatives who may be Seniors share information People who work with Seniors need your services
- 10. You help pay for their services. They are at a competitive disadvantage You help them get in front of prospects You can provide referrals to them Associated groups will market your services for the following reasons:
- 11. Assisted Living Homes Senior Residences Home Healthcare Agencies Financial Planners Retirement communities Pre-Need Planners Retirement Groups Churches Funeral Homes People who work with Seniors need your Services
- 12. How can You Incorporate VA Pension Planning into Your Practice? Attend our 2 hour Webinar on VA Pension Basics (DATE TBD) – We will apply for CLE. Fee is $100. Attend our 2 Day Spring Conference on Advanced VA Pension Planning Techniques and Practice Implementation - training designed to expedite your effectiveness in this exciting, growing practice area. We will file for CLE and webinar fee will be deducted from conference fee. April 22-23, 2010 Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort –Stone Mountain, GA
- 13. How can You Incorporate VA Pension Planning into Your Practice? File for Accreditation with the VA. Join the Academy of VA Pension Planners www.avapp.org to become a Certified Academy Attorney (CAA). Attend our 3 hour CLE Class via Webinar (Dates TBD) for VA Accredited Attorney (this class is required within the first 12 months of being accredited with the VA)
- 14. Two Day Educational Seminar (15 hours of CLE) Conference Training and Reference Material Practice Manual for VA Pension Benefits Breakfast and lunch each day 20% discount to all Academy members AVAPP Charter Membership Rates for Attendees Book early to receive conference room rate of $109 per night Register for Advanced VA Pension Planning Techniques and Practice Implementation Course includes: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atleg-evergreen-marriott- conference-resort/
- 15. Thanks for attending Together we can help those who built this country James B. Swain, JD, MBA Founder and CEO [email_address] 678-461-7848/888-928-2779 www.avapp.org