Boulder County Senior Law Day
2021 Schedule
Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors!
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September 7th, 2021
Session 1
How to Pick a Lawyer: Tips & Resources for the Right Attorney-Client Fit
Speaker: Brett E. Landis, Managing Attorney, Boulder County Legal
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
This talk will focus on the various issues that arise when someone is seeking an attorney, including: when is it necessary to start looking for an attorney; how to decide what type of attorney to contact; what to research before meeting with an attorney; what questions to ask at an initial consultation; and how to decide if the attorney is right for you and your situation. Brett will also address some community resources that may be helpful in the attorney search.
Speaker Bio:
Brett Landis is the Managing Attorney of Boulder County Legal Services. She received her BA from Carleton College and her J.D. from the University of Oregon. Brett worked with the Domestic Violence Clinic in Eugene, OR after graduation and later worked for Legal Aid Services of Oregon in Klamath Falls, OR. Brett also practiced family law with the law firm Warren, Carlson & Moore in Niwot, CO. She serves on the Access to Justice committee and is currently President of the Boulder County Bar Association.
How to Pick a Lawyer: Tips & Resources for the Right Attorney-Client Fit
Speaker: Brett E. Landis, Managing Attorney, Boulder County Legal
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
This talk will focus on the various issues that arise when someone is seeking an attorney, including: when is it necessary to start looking for an attorney; how to decide what type of attorney to contact; what to research before meeting with an attorney; what questions to ask at an initial consultation; and how to decide if the attorney is right for you and your situation. Brett will also address some community resources that may be helpful in the attorney search.
Speaker Bio:
Brett Landis is the Managing Attorney of Boulder County Legal Services. She received her BA from Carleton College and her J.D. from the University of Oregon. Brett worked with the Domestic Violence Clinic in Eugene, OR after graduation and later worked for Legal Aid Services of Oregon in Klamath Falls, OR. Brett also practiced family law with the law firm Warren, Carlson & Moore in Niwot, CO. She serves on the Access to Justice committee and is currently President of the Boulder County Bar Association.
September 9th, 2021
Session 2
Protecting Yourself from Scams and Frauds in 2021
Speakers:
Christian Gardner-Wood, Director of Community Protection and Legislative Affairs, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office
Desiree Firle, Community Protection Specialist, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Older adults are often targeted by individuals trying to get access to their money and personal information. In 2021, scammers are promoting fake health cures, treatments, bogus job offers, and other fraudulent schemes related to economic recovery in a post-COVID-19 world. This presentation will provide an overview of the frauds and scams we hear about most often in the District Attorney’s Office, and will offer resources to help prevent older adults from falling victim to phone, online and in-person scams.
Speaker Bio:
Christian Gardner-Wood is the Director of Community Protection and Legislative Affairs and a Senior Deputy District Attorney for the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. He has been a prosecutor for 14 years. As the Director of Community Protection, he oversees all prosecutions in the DA’s Office involving at-risk victims, elder victims, significant economic crimes, and also oversees community outreach and policy initiatives for the Office. His passion is community engagement and prosecuting crimes involving vulnerable populations. He has trained extensively in the areas of elder abuse, mandatory reporting, child abuse, sex offenses, and human trafficking. He is the Chair of the Colorado Human Trafficking Council and is involved in local groups involving at-risk cases including the Adult Protection Review Team and the Elder Justice Coalition.
Desiree Firle is the Community Protection Specialist for the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. Her experience includes working with the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Area Agency on Aging Region 1 in Phoenix, Arizona, Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, and Workforce Boulder County. Desiree has an MSW from the University of Denver with an emphasis on organizational leadership and policy.
Protecting Yourself from Scams and Frauds in 2021
Speakers:
Christian Gardner-Wood, Director of Community Protection and Legislative Affairs, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office
Desiree Firle, Community Protection Specialist, Boulder County District Attorney’s Office
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Older adults are often targeted by individuals trying to get access to their money and personal information. In 2021, scammers are promoting fake health cures, treatments, bogus job offers, and other fraudulent schemes related to economic recovery in a post-COVID-19 world. This presentation will provide an overview of the frauds and scams we hear about most often in the District Attorney’s Office, and will offer resources to help prevent older adults from falling victim to phone, online and in-person scams.
Speaker Bio:
Christian Gardner-Wood is the Director of Community Protection and Legislative Affairs and a Senior Deputy District Attorney for the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. He has been a prosecutor for 14 years. As the Director of Community Protection, he oversees all prosecutions in the DA’s Office involving at-risk victims, elder victims, significant economic crimes, and also oversees community outreach and policy initiatives for the Office. His passion is community engagement and prosecuting crimes involving vulnerable populations. He has trained extensively in the areas of elder abuse, mandatory reporting, child abuse, sex offenses, and human trafficking. He is the Chair of the Colorado Human Trafficking Council and is involved in local groups involving at-risk cases including the Adult Protection Review Team and the Elder Justice Coalition.
Desiree Firle is the Community Protection Specialist for the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. Her experience includes working with the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Area Agency on Aging Region 1 in Phoenix, Arizona, Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, and Workforce Boulder County. Desiree has an MSW from the University of Denver with an emphasis on organizational leadership and policy.
September 14th, 2021
Session 3
Income in Retirement
Speakers:
Brandon Fields and Dan Yerger, MBA, CFP®, ChFC, AIF, CDFA, President, MY Wealth Planners
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Presentation and discussion of the sources of income in retirement, taxation of retirement income, protection of assets in retirement, income for spouses, and leaving a financial legacy for your family and good causes.
Speaker Bio:
Daniel Yerger is the president of MY Wealth Planners, a local Fee-Only financial planning firm. Daniel is also a Ph.D. Candidate through Kansas State University studying Personal Financial Planning and teaches Investment Planning for Professional Financial Planners at the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder. Daniel was recognized as a top 100 Financial Advisor by Investopedia this year, and is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary.
Income in Retirement
Speakers:
Brandon Fields and Dan Yerger, MBA, CFP®, ChFC, AIF, CDFA, President, MY Wealth Planners
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Presentation and discussion of the sources of income in retirement, taxation of retirement income, protection of assets in retirement, income for spouses, and leaving a financial legacy for your family and good causes.
Speaker Bio:
Daniel Yerger is the president of MY Wealth Planners, a local Fee-Only financial planning firm. Daniel is also a Ph.D. Candidate through Kansas State University studying Personal Financial Planning and teaches Investment Planning for Professional Financial Planners at the Leeds School of Business at CU Boulder. Daniel was recognized as a top 100 Financial Advisor by Investopedia this year, and is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary.
September 16th, 2021
Session 4
Elevated Estate Planning
Speaker: Sarah Pheral, Owner, Law Office of Sarah Pheral, LLC
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Topic:
Description:
Do you recognize your life is complicated? Unsure how that affects your estate planning? We’ll address common obstacles that arise when drafting powers of attorney, wills, and trusts. We’ll consider strategies for non-traditional families, blended families, options when you have no one to appoint, how to exclude family members (and to what extent you can’t), when to consider a trust- based plan, special needs planning, and more. Please bring questions!
Speaker Bio:
Sarah is the principal attorney at the Law Office of Sarah Pheral in Longmont. Her firm helps clients simplify life’s legal complexities by providing quality legal services with integrity and compassion. Her staff assists clients with business law needs; drafting and using estate planning documents such as powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and medical directives; probate and trust administration; guardianships and conservatorships; and more. Sarah also serves as a professional fiduciary.
Elevated Estate Planning
Speaker: Sarah Pheral, Owner, Law Office of Sarah Pheral, LLC
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Topic:
Description:
Do you recognize your life is complicated? Unsure how that affects your estate planning? We’ll address common obstacles that arise when drafting powers of attorney, wills, and trusts. We’ll consider strategies for non-traditional families, blended families, options when you have no one to appoint, how to exclude family members (and to what extent you can’t), when to consider a trust- based plan, special needs planning, and more. Please bring questions!
Speaker Bio:
Sarah is the principal attorney at the Law Office of Sarah Pheral in Longmont. Her firm helps clients simplify life’s legal complexities by providing quality legal services with integrity and compassion. Her staff assists clients with business law needs; drafting and using estate planning documents such as powers of attorney, wills, trusts, and medical directives; probate and trust administration; guardianships and conservatorships; and more. Sarah also serves as a professional fiduciary.
September 21st, 2021
Session 5
Protecting your Medicare Number; Medicare Fraud: and Identifying Scams
Speaker: Teresa DeAnni, Healthy Aging Programs Manager
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Health care fraud steals billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid every year. That means higher costs and lost benefits. Scammers wanting your number are more sophisticated and aggressive in the last four years. Come learn how to protect yourself! Boulder County Senior Medicare Patrol is a program of Boulder County Area Agency on Aging.
Speaker Bio:
Teresa DeAnni has over 25 years experience working in services for older adults. As the Healthy Aging Programs Manager, she manages the Medicare Counseling Program and Nutrition and Wellness Services for Boulder County Area Agency on Aging.
Protecting your Medicare Number; Medicare Fraud: and Identifying Scams
Speaker: Teresa DeAnni, Healthy Aging Programs Manager
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Health care fraud steals billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid every year. That means higher costs and lost benefits. Scammers wanting your number are more sophisticated and aggressive in the last four years. Come learn how to protect yourself! Boulder County Senior Medicare Patrol is a program of Boulder County Area Agency on Aging.
Speaker Bio:
Teresa DeAnni has over 25 years experience working in services for older adults. As the Healthy Aging Programs Manager, she manages the Medicare Counseling Program and Nutrition and Wellness Services for Boulder County Area Agency on Aging.
September 23rd, 2021
Session 6
Elder Abuse and Things to Expect in a Post-Covid World
Speaker: Michael Dougherty, District Attorney, 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Elder abuse is an injustice with serious consequences for our victims and community. These cases are a priority for the District Attorney’s Office. Elder abuse impacts victims, as well as the community’s health, safety and economic welfare. In his address, DA Dougherty will review the predominant elder abuse issues facing our community, share current trends in investigating and successfully prosecuting cases involving elder abuse, and highlight what we can do together to better serve our community and our elder population by focusing on the importance of prevention, reporting, and prosecution.
Speaker Bio:
In 2018, Michael Dougherty became the District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District. In November of 2020, Michael had the honor of being re-elected. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to enhancing community safety and improving the justice system. Michael attended Nassau Community College, then went on to graduate from Cornell University and Boston University School of Law.
Elder Abuse and Things to Expect in a Post-Covid World
Speaker: Michael Dougherty, District Attorney, 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Elder abuse is an injustice with serious consequences for our victims and community. These cases are a priority for the District Attorney’s Office. Elder abuse impacts victims, as well as the community’s health, safety and economic welfare. In his address, DA Dougherty will review the predominant elder abuse issues facing our community, share current trends in investigating and successfully prosecuting cases involving elder abuse, and highlight what we can do together to better serve our community and our elder population by focusing on the importance of prevention, reporting, and prosecution.
Speaker Bio:
In 2018, Michael Dougherty became the District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District. In November of 2020, Michael had the honor of being re-elected. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to enhancing community safety and improving the justice system. Michael attended Nassau Community College, then went on to graduate from Cornell University and Boston University School of Law.
September 28th, 2021
Session 7
Fiduciaries' Roles & Responsibilities
Speaker: John D. Konz, Esq., Shareholder, Attorney at Law
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
This presentation will seek to define a fiduciary and the expectations that govern every fiduciary. A fiduciary handles the assets of another person, so the standards of care are high. Fiduciaries include: agent under power of attorney, conservator, and trustee, among other. The presenter will discuss and evaluate common pitfalls that can lead to problems and how to avoid those problems.
Speaker Bio:
John D. Konz is an attorney and shareholder with Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. As a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), John’s practice is focused in the areas of estate planning, contested and uncontested probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and Medicaid long-term care pre-planning and crisis planning. John takes pride in being able to put himself in his clients’ shoes to understand their needs while working meticulously and tirelessly to ensure clients receive the outcomes they deserve.
Fiduciaries' Roles & Responsibilities
Speaker: John D. Konz, Esq., Shareholder, Attorney at Law
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
This presentation will seek to define a fiduciary and the expectations that govern every fiduciary. A fiduciary handles the assets of another person, so the standards of care are high. Fiduciaries include: agent under power of attorney, conservator, and trustee, among other. The presenter will discuss and evaluate common pitfalls that can lead to problems and how to avoid those problems.
Speaker Bio:
John D. Konz is an attorney and shareholder with Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. As a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), John’s practice is focused in the areas of estate planning, contested and uncontested probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and Medicaid long-term care pre-planning and crisis planning. John takes pride in being able to put himself in his clients’ shoes to understand their needs while working meticulously and tirelessly to ensure clients receive the outcomes they deserve.
September 30th, 2021
Session 8
Special Needs Trusts: Improve the Quality of Life for a Disabled Person You Love
Speaker: Diedre Braverman, Managing Attorney Braverman Law Group
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Special Needs Trusts allow you to make a gift or leave an inheritance to a person who is receiving needs-based government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid (or who may need them in the future). The money in the Special Needs Trust can be spent on almost anything including therapies and recreation. Come learn more about this powerful and flexible tool for giving your loved one a better quality of life. We’ll also discuss Special Needs Trusts that hold the beneficiary’s own money such as a personal injury settlement.
Speaker Bio:
Diedre Braverman has been an estate and special needs planning attorney for over 20 years. She’s a Stanford Law grad, married, with two adult children. Her first special needs trust was for her brother, Nathan, who has severe autism. Diedre co-founded the largest national organization for special needs planning attorneys, the Academy of Special Needs Planners. She also co-authored a two-volume treatise for attorneys on special needs planning. Most important, Diedre practices with a passion for improving the lives of the disabled, the mentally ill, and other vulnerable people.
October 5th, 2021
Session 9
Estate Planning 101
Speaker: Kurt Hofgard, JD, Hofgard & Associates, P.C.
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Everyone has an estate plan, whether they know it or not. The real question: do you have an effective estate plan? We will discuss the basic concepts of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, probate and joint tenancy. We will also discuss the minimal documents for anyone to have an effective estate plan, including some things that you can do yourself.
Speaker Bio:
Kurt Hofgard is an estate planning attorney in Boulder of over 27 years with his firm Hofgard & Associates, P.C. Kurt enjoys working with clients of all sizes and shapes regardless of wealth. A Boulder native, Kurt graduated from Stanford and Lewis & Clark Law School.
Estate Planning 101
Speaker: Kurt Hofgard, JD, Hofgard & Associates, P.C.
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
Everyone has an estate plan, whether they know it or not. The real question: do you have an effective estate plan? We will discuss the basic concepts of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations, probate and joint tenancy. We will also discuss the minimal documents for anyone to have an effective estate plan, including some things that you can do yourself.
Speaker Bio:
Kurt Hofgard is an estate planning attorney in Boulder of over 27 years with his firm Hofgard & Associates, P.C. Kurt enjoys working with clients of all sizes and shapes regardless of wealth. A Boulder native, Kurt graduated from Stanford and Lewis & Clark Law School.
October 7th, 2021
Session 10
Long-Term Care Medicaid: Learning the Basics, and Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Speaker: John M. Estes, Attorney, The Kapsak Law Firm, LLC
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
This presentation will cover the basics of Long-Term Care Medicaid and Eligibility for Long-Term Care Medicaid. It will cover eligibility requirements, changes to the Medicaid program, and common mistakes that people make when applying.
Speaker Bio:
John is an attorney at The Kapsak Law Firm in Longmont, Colorado, where his practice focuses on Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Elder Law including Medicaid planning and planning for Long Term Care needs. Prior to joining The Kapsak Law Firm, John worked for Colorado’s State Medicaid department, drafting long term care regulations. John is a proud member of Niwot Rotary. In his free time enjoys training for and racing triathlon.
Long-Term Care Medicaid: Learning the Basics, and Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Speaker: John M. Estes, Attorney, The Kapsak Law Firm, LLC
Time: Noon - 1 PM
Description:
This presentation will cover the basics of Long-Term Care Medicaid and Eligibility for Long-Term Care Medicaid. It will cover eligibility requirements, changes to the Medicaid program, and common mistakes that people make when applying.
Speaker Bio:
John is an attorney at The Kapsak Law Firm in Longmont, Colorado, where his practice focuses on Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Elder Law including Medicaid planning and planning for Long Term Care needs. Prior to joining The Kapsak Law Firm, John worked for Colorado’s State Medicaid department, drafting long term care regulations. John is a proud member of Niwot Rotary. In his free time enjoys training for and racing triathlon.
