Courtney Elder Law Associates

06/17/2026

Rick Courtney had lunch with Miss Mississippi Teen Madalyn Sullivan (and others) before speaking about special needs planning at the Mississippi disAbility Megaconference in Oxford on Wednesday.

06/09/2026

Persons with autism disorders may have difficulty dealing with law enforcement in a traffic stop due to behavioral aspects of their condition. Mississippi is one of the states that has implemented the Blue Envelope Program to help alleviate such difficult encounters.

Persons with autism disorders may have difficulty dealing with law enforcement in a traffic stop due to behavioral aspects of their condition. Mississippi is one of the states that has implemented the Blue Envelope Program to help alleviate such difficult encounters. The Blue Envelope Program is des...

06/04/2026

We are honored to be a part of this outstanding event!

SNA Past President Richard A. Courtney, CELA, will present the session “Special Needs Planning and Mississippi ABLE” at the 2026 Mississippi DisAbility Megaconference in Oxford, Mississippi, on June 17.

In this session, Rick will cover key topics including asset protection, personal decision-making, ABLE accounts, and healthcare financing—addressing Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

We are proud to spotlight members like Rick who generously share their expertise to help educate individuals with disabilities and their families, empowering them to succeed in their special needs planning journey.

Visit the MegaConference link in the comments to learn more and register to attend! 👇

05/30/2026

Rick Courtney spoke on Special Needs Law at the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Advanced Elder Law Review in Milwaukee, where he hobnobbed with the Brewers mascot and enjoyed the comments from the American Bar Association President, Michelle Behnke, on the current rule of law in America.

05/12/2026

On March 16, 2026 the Social Security Administration published a notice to advocates regarding discounted internet service offered to recipients of SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits.

On March 16, 2026 the Social Security Administration published this notice to advocates regarding discounted internet service offered to recipients of SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid benefits: Dear Colleague, As more services move online, we recognize that accessing these services can sometimes be challengi...

04/02/2026

Rick Courtney spoke recently to the Special Needs Alliance Spring Meeting in New Orleans on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws pertaining to the rights of service dogs and persons with disabilities. On the panel with Rick were (l to r) Melissa Allman, Senior Specialist for Advocacy and Government Relations for The Seeing Eye, Inc. (with seeing eye dog, Aspen, under the table), Beth Manes, Esq., special needs and special education attorney, and Ada, Rick’s small, plush Canine Companions pup. Melanie Courtney, Rick’s daughter and office clerk, received her third wheelchair service dog through Canine Companions in February.

03/26/2026

Rick Courtney joined the nationwide Special Needs Alliance attorneys for their Spring Meeting opening lunch presentation about Team Gleason. This non-profit organization was started by former New Orleans Saint and Congressional Gold Medal recipient, Steve Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. Since 2011, Team Gleason has provided over $65 million in support resources and equipment to people with ALS to enable them to live enjoyable and productive lives.

03/25/2026

Starting in 2026, older high-earning employees will lose a tax-savings perk that has helped them save extra money for retirement.

Takeaways Starting in 2026, older high-earning employees will lose a tax-savings perk that has helped them save extra money for retirement. In September 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Treasury issued final rules on a 2022 law which stipulates that employees aged 50 and older w...

02/18/2026

On Sunday, Rick and his family celebrated his mother, Carol's, 96th birthday. He says "even with her loss of hearing and the challenges of Alzheimer’s, she remains joyful, kind, loving and funny with her quips. We are blessed to be able to spend another birthday together, and so thankful to those who help us give her the best possible life."

02/18/2026

A federal watchdog warned lawmakers that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs needs to fully revise the 80-year-old criteria for awarding disability payments or risk miscalculating benefits for millions of veterans.

A federal watchdog warned lawmakers that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs needs to fully revise the 80-year-old criteria for awarding disability payments or risk miscalculating benefits for millions of veterans. The VA administers one of the nation’s largest disability compensation programs...