Elder Law

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Section on Elder Law

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2026 Articles

Mark Your Calendars… July 2026 Don't miss the Illinois State Fair, from August 13 through August 23, 2026, and other holidays and days of remembrance in August. 
Mark Your Calendars… May 2026 Don't miss the ISBA Annual Meeting and several celebratory days and holidays in the month of June! 
Mark Your Calendars… April 2026 A look ahead at May and upcoming holidays, celebratory days, and commemorative days. 
Mark Your Calendars… March 2026 April brings several observatory months, including National Financial Literacy Month and National Volunteer Month; holidays, such as Easter; and celebratory days, including Denim Day and National Scrabble Day. 
Mark Your Calendars… February 2026 A look ahead at March and upcoming awareness days and holidays. 
Medicaid and Medicare News July 2026 Recent announcements by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) address new initiatives to modernize systems of healthcare in America. On June 1, 2026, CMS released an Interim Final Rule with Comment (IFC) that establishes a nationwide operational framework relating to monthly work requirements as a condition of eligibility for Medicaid. 
Medicaid Planning Reminder May 2026 Since 2006, federal law has capped the amount of home equity that can be excluded when a person applies for Medicaid coverage of long-term services and supports (LTSS). For 2026, this home equity cap is $752,000, although states have been allowed to raise it to as high as $1,130,000 in high-cost urban areas.
My Rural Ag Law Practice: So What’s in My Tech Stack? By Cari Brett Rincker February 2026 An in-depth review of different technology that can make your law practice run smoother, from office management to AI, and everything in between. 
News Corner March 2026 A roundup of recent news, including Senior Illinoisans Hall of Fame, scam alerts, and an update for the National Strategy for Financial Literacy. 
Postal Changes February 2026 In December 2025, the U.S. Postal Service announced several changes regarding postal processes, including changes to postmark dating, making change for cash transactions, and increases in rates for certain shipping services. 
Resource Updates April 2026 Don't forget about the wealth of resources available to you or your client online! The Consumer Federation of America, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and more, all offer various informational resources that can aid in the practice of elder law. 
Reverse Mortgages, Medicaid, and Help To Remain in Your Home By Leonard F. Berg March 2026 An inquiry on the ISBA Central discussion group for Trusts and Estates asked whether a reverse mortgage would disqualify a person from receiving Medicaid benefits. The simple response is that Medicaid disqualification is not automatic; however, the larger issue is identifying resources to help a client to remain in their home. 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program February 2026 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has brought many changes to several areas of law and federal programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. These changes will alter eligibility requirements, potentially impacting a large swath of the nearly 2 million individuals who rely on this assistance in Illinois. 
Supreme Court News May 2026 The Illinois Supreme Court has instituted a handful of changes and amendments in the past month, including new post judgment collection form; and amendments to Illinois Supreme Court Rules 705, 717, 793, 795, 711, and 703. 
TrumpIRA.gov May 2026 Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, Promoting Retirement-Savings Access for American Workers By Establishing TrumpIRA.gov, on April 30, 2026.
Unclaimed Property February 2026 February 1 was National Unclaimed Property Day. Unclaimed property includes forgotten or overlooked bank accounts; certificates of deposit; stocks and bonds; overpayments, refunds, and uncashed rebate checks; unpaid insurance claims; the contents of abandoned safe deposit boxes; and more. 
When the Text Isn’t Clear: What Lawyers Should Know About the Canons of Construction By Jake A. Leahy February 2026 When interpreting a statute, regulation, constitutional provision, or ordinance, be sure you are familiar with how courts use canons (and when they don't), and how an argument regarding interpretation can either effectively persuade the court or stretch the law too far.