Advanced Veterans Pension Planning – June 2021 Recording

This course is designed for practitioners who understand the basics of VA pension planning and are looking to expand their knowledge beyond the qualification rules. This course will provide information about what to do when a VA pension claim is ready to be filed and when something goes wrong with the claim. Then, we will cover tips on how to design an irrevocable trust that will protect the Veteran’s assets which also complies with the VA’s relinquishment of rights standards.

Whitney Wilson shares insights from her vast experience helping Veterans through the VA pension claim process. This course will provide three hours of qualifying continuing legal education credits towards VA accreditation.

 CLE: 3.0 hours
Satisfies bi-annual continuing VA CLE eligibility requirement for attorneys in all 50 states.

Presenter: Whitney M. Wilson, J.D., Twilight Legal Consulting

Agenda:

1:00 p.m. ET
How to Prepare a Claim That is Ready to Be Approved
Learn the best method for filing a claim and when back due benefits or earlier eligibility dates might be warranted. Understand which forms are needed to complete an application for VA Pension or Survivor’s Pension, how to complete those forms, and the proper documentation to submit with them. We will also cover how to answer development letters and fiduciary proposals.

1:50 p.m. ET
Break

2:00 p.m. ET
What to Do If Something Went Wrong
There are many ways a claim can go wrong, whether the mistake was the client’s or the VA’s. Learn how to handle some of the more common mistakes, including asking for reconsideration, asking for a review by a Decision Review Officer, and filing a formal appeal.

2:50 p.m. ET
Break

3:00 p.m. ET
How to Draft a Veterans Asset Protection Trust
We will cover why trusts might be used as an asset protection tool for VA pension benefits. Learn how the VAPT is different from the MAPT, which portions of the VAPT you can and cannot change, the roles of the trustee and beneficiaries, and the ideal individuals to serve in those roles. We’ll also discuss funding considerations.

3:50 p.m. ET
Break

4:00 p.m. ET
How to Draft a Veterans Asset Protection Trust (continued)

5:00 p.m.ET
Adjourn