Recession Proof Your Law PracticeThrough 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.

Challenges to Your Law Practice

Challenges for Estate Planning and Elder Law practices in current economy:

Discretionary spending is being cut

No urgency to plan

Competition among growing number of attorneys

Clients want guarantee that plans will benefit them

Recession Proof Your Law Practicewith 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

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

Benefits of Adding VA PensionPlanning to Your Law Practice

Seniors are living longerFamily concern over paying for long-term careThere is an urgency to complete planningKnowledge in the legal community is limitedWith VA pension planning you are selling moneyFees are an investment not an expenseGives you access to other family members and friendsHuggable Clients

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

What is the VA Improved Pension Benefit?

There are Four Tests for qualification:

Military Service and Marriage,Medical Condition,Income for VA PurposesNet Worth

How can your Practice Benefitfrom Serving these Clients?

Income and asset limitations open opportunities.

This allows you to offer billable services to provide, such as:

Analysis of optionsNew legal documentsAdministration of trustsReview of investmentsAccess to family membersTax returnsMedicaid applicationsInvestmentsReferrals

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

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:

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

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

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)

Two Day Educational Seminar (15 hours of CLE)Conference Training and Reference MaterialPractice Manual for VA Pension BenefitsBreakfast and lunch each day20% discount to all Academy membersAVAPP Charter Membership Rates for AttendeesBook 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/

Thanks for attending

Together we can help those who built this country

James B. Swain, JD, MBA Founder and CEO Jim@Avapp.org678-461-7848/888-928-2779 www.avapp.org