Clancy & Associates

09/02/2026

Special needs planning should never begin with a stack of legal documents.

We begin by getting to know your child. What matters to them? Where do they need support? Where are they ready for more independence? What do you hope their adult life will look like?

Those answers help shape the legal plan. Trusts, guardianship and other legal tools matter, but they should support your child’s life, not define it.

08/28/2026

Meet Sarah, our new Legal Assistant!

Sarah recently graduated from DePaul University and joined Clancy & Associates after gaining experience through internships in both operations and legal settings.

One of her favorite parts of the role so far? Talking with our clients and learning more about the special needs community we serve.

We’re so happy to welcome Sarah to the team!

08/27/2026

Join us virtually on September 15th from 6:00–7:00 p.m. for an upcoming presentation with the Parents Alliance Employment Project, an organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities pursue meaningful employment.

08/26/2026

A guardian ad litem is not the same thing as a legal guardian.

For families facing a guardianship proceeding, that distinction is important.

A guardian ad litem, or GAL, is appointed by the court for a specific case to investigate the circumstances, understand the individual’s wishes and needs, and make recommendations focused on their best interests.

Read the full article here:

Learn more about the role of a guardian ad litem (GAL)— a court-appointed, neutral advocate focused solely on a vulnerable person’s best interests.

08/21/2026

Our August newsletter is here!

We’re sharing helpful information for families as summer winds down and a new school year begins, along with the latest insights on special needs and estate planning.

After a long, hot and wet summer, kids are getting ready for a return to school. If your child has a 504 plan or an IEP, it is a good time to review how things went last year and to brainstorm what your child may need to be successful this fall. To make the transition back to school as positive as p...

08/20/2026

Have you checked who is listed as the beneficiary on your retirement accounts?

That one detail can have a major impact on a special needs plan because retirement accounts are controlled by the beneficiary designation on file, not your will.

Our latest article answers 10 common questions about coordinating retirement accounts and special needs trusts.

Learn more about how if you can put a retirement plan in a special needs trust (SNT), and more about how the two work together.

08/19/2026

Does your child have an IEP or 504 plan? Before school starts, this is a great time to think about what worked last year, what didn’t and what may need to change.

Guest author Matt Cohen shares 10 practical tips to help families prepare for a smoother start to the school year.

It’s a helpful checklist to read now, before that first school bell rings.

Ten things you can do to make the transition back to school as positive as possible for your child with a disability.

08/14/2026

Save the date for the 10th Annual Options Fair.

Families can explore college and career programs, adult services, and legal and financial resources, all in one convenient place.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
6:00–8:30 p.m.
Addison Trail High School in Addison

No registration required.

08/12/2026

Planning for a loved one with a disability can bring difficult questions about the future.

We are honored to help families move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

08/12/2026

If your child’s ABA provider closes or stops accepting Medicaid, act quickly.

Ask about other providers, request a letter of medical necessity, document every conversation, and appeal promptly if coverage is denied.

Families may have more options than they realize.

Read article here:

If your child’s autism clinic stops taking Medicaid, act quickly. Gaps in care can grow fast because waitlists and authorizations take time.