Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli Blog

Social Security Disability (“SSD”) and Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) are two programs available from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) that may play an important role in an elder law practice. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (“SSD”) BENEFITS: Available to a blind or disabled worker who: applies for benefits; has not reached full retirement age; has sufficient social [...]

[Read more →]

Veterans and their families should be aware of the various benefits that may be available to them through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). I.       GENERAL HEALTH AND OTHER PROGRAMS The VA offers many special programs for veterans, among which are the following: Benefits for returning veterans: Health care for 5 years [...]

[Read more →]

A few years ago I published an article on this blog entitled the “Top 10 New Jersey Elder Law Blogs” = http://www.dvanarelli.com/blog/?p=475. At about the same time, I also published a list of the “Top 10 New Jersey Mediation Blogs.” Since I was a new blogger at the time the lists were published, having started [...]

[Read more →]

With Americans living increasingly long lives, coping with the physical, emotional, cognitive and financial issues attendant to the aging process is a challenge faced by a growing number of elders and their loved ones. While elder law attorneys are well-equipped to navigate the legal aspects of the process, it is often helpful to turn to [...]

[Read more →]

A few years ago I published what I called the “top 10 NJ mediation blogs” = http://www.dvanarelli.com/blog/?p=622. The list of blogs was published in October 2008, about 6 months after I started my blogging adventure (an adventure which hasn’t yet ended.) I compiled a list of “awarding winning” blogs by listing the mediation blogs I [...]

[Read more →]

Below I’ve listed the most popular posts on the Vanarelli Law Office blog in November 2011. NJ Appellate Court Rules That Awarding Attorneys Fees To The Wrongdoer In An Undue Influence Case Is An “Abuse Of Discretion” Issues From Recently Filed Claims For VA Pension Benefits Does The VA Consider Assets Transferred To A Special [...]

[Read more →]

Effective December 1, 2011 The COLA increases for major Pension benefits follow. Charts showing COLA increases for all Pension benefits and for all parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits are attached here. Single Veteran Base Pension: $12,256 annually; $1,021 monthly Supplements: Housebound: $14,978 annually; $1,248 monthly Aid & Attendance: $20,447 annually; $1,703 monthly Veteran [...]

[Read more →]

Several weeks ago, on Sunday, November 20th, I was a guest on The Caring Generation, a radio show airing on 630 KHOW-AM, a Talk Radio Station broadcasting from Denver, Colorado, and on the internet. The show is hosted by Pamela D. Wilson, who identified herself as the “Care Navigator.” The Caring Generation is about “the [...]

[Read more →]

Family and divorce mediation is a process in which a mediator, an impartial third party, facilitates the resolution of family disputes by promoting the participants’ voluntary agreement. The Model Standards of Practice for Family and Divorce Mediation are the product of an effort by mediation-interested organizations and individuals to create a unified set of standards [...]

[Read more →]