Theresa M. Varnet is a Special Needs Attorney in the firm's Trust & Estate department. She is active in many special needs organizations, including the Special Needs Law Committee of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, of which she is co-chair. Ms. Varnet is a former certified teacher and a former licensed social worker. Her practice focuses upon Special Needs Planning for families and individuals with special needs of all kinds.
Practice Areas
Ms. Varnet received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, and her master's in social work from the University of Connecticut. She earned her law degree from DePaul University and is admitted to practice in Massachusetts. She has been an advocate for persons with disabilities for more than 40 years. In addition to being a lawyer, she is a former certified teacher and a former licensed social worker. She is the parent of a disabled adult daughter. Her experience includes extensive work in the area of in-service training with families, special educators, social workers and other professionals.
Ms. Varnet has served as Social Services Director in a residential school for children with multiple disabilities, Coordinator for a Special Education Cooperative, and as a Citizen Advocacy/Disability Rights Coordinator. She was formerly a founding partner in the law firm of Spain, Spain & Varnet, P.C. in Chicago, IL.
Education & Certifications
- DePaul University, J.D.
- University of Massachusetts
- University of Connecticut, Master’s Degree in Social Work
- Certified Teacher, (retired)
- Licensed Social Worker, (retired)
Admissions
- Massachusetts
Publications
- Continued Eligibility for Medicaid for a Disabled Adult Child When a Parent Retires or Dies
- Supplemental Needs Trusts and Nursing Home Planning: The Intersection of Elder Law Planning and Special Needs Law Planning
- How Grandparents Can Help When An Adult Child Has a Child with Special Needs
- Independent Living for a Family Member with a Lifelong Disability
- Introduction to Government Benefits
- Future Planning for Adults with Disabilites and the Families that Support Them
- Gift Cards and Gift Certificates – Legal Prohibition?
- ABLE Program Launched in MA: The Attainable Savings Plan?
- Documents Your Child Should Sign Before Leaving for College
- Qualified Charitable Distribution from Your IRA May Save You Taxes, Reduce Your Medicare Payment and Leave a Legacy to Your Favorite Charity
- Life Planning Document Worksheet
- How Work Affects SSI, SSDI and CDB Eligibility
- Using ABLE Accounts to Avoid a One Third Loss in SSI
- Common Pitfalls in Administering a 3rd Party Funded Supplemental Needs Trust or OBRA ‘93 Special Needs Trusts
- Government Benefits for Persons Who Are Disabled
- A Comparison Between First and Third Party Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Act
- Understanding Special Needs Planning
- OBRA `93 Changes in Medicaid Transfer of Asset Rules
- Preparing a Life-Planning Document for Your Disabled Family Member
- Issues When a Party in a Divorce Has a Disability or Has a Child With a Disability
- Lifelong Planning for Families with a Member With Long-Term Disabilities
- Memo to Parents Concerning First Party OBRA ‘93 Special Needs Trusts
- Memo to Trustees of OBRA '93 Supplemental Needs Trusts
- Military Child Protection Act Enables Military Members to Name Special Needs Trusts as Beneficiaries of a Survivor Benefit Plan
- Siblings Role in Managing a Special Needs Trust
- Special Needs Trust Helps Ensure Support, Care
- Introduction to Social Security Benefits Available to Persons with Disabilities
- Estate Planning for the Adult Child Who Acts Out, Has Addictions, or Is Otherwise Challenged
- Disability Advocates Prepare for Multiple Attacks on Lifeline Services
- BOOKLET: Special Needs Trust Management
News
Ms. Varnet is an active volunteer in the national, state, and local chapters of The Arc. She is also co-chair of the Special Needs Law Committee of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a frequent presenter for Academy of Special Needs Planners seminars and webinars and is a member of AMI, and The Autism Society. Ms. Varnet is a past member of the Developmental Disabilities Council in Massachusetts and Kentucky, and of the Governor's Advisory Panel on Special Education in Kentucky.
For her work in the special needs field, Ms. Varnet has been recognized both locally and nationally. She serves as co-chair of the Special Needs Law Section of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). She has presented at the national conferences of TASH, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, The Arc, National Association for Down Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, Williams Syndrome, NAELA, Academy of Special Needs Planners, TX, IL and HI Bar Associations and the American Bar Association. She has appeared in the Kiplinger Retirement Report, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, AARP Bulletin, Exceptional Parent magazine, and on the National Public Radio program All Things Considered. While living in the Sultanate of Oman, Ms. Varnet assisted the Omani Ministry of Social Affairs in developing the first preschool program for children with handicapping conditions. She is the co-author of the book 'Home Control and Ownership through Trust and Estate Planning".
Significant Representation and Achievements
- Co-chair of the Special Needs Law Committee of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Presented at the national conferences of TASH, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and The Arc
- Appeared in the Kiplinger Retirement Report, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, AARP Bulletin, Exceptional Parent magazine, and on the National Public Radio program All Things Considered
