Upcoming Events

Join us for a relaxed, enjoyable evening where you’ll learn the essential steps to safeguarding your family, your assets, and your legacy. Whether you already have a will or are just beginning to think about planning for the future, this session will give you practical, clear guidance—no legal jargon, no pressure.

Sip wine, ask questions, and leave empowered with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

✔ Why estate planning matters

✔ Wills vs. Trusts (and how to know which is right for you)

✔ Protecting children and loved ones

✔ Key documents every adult should have

✔ Avoiding probate pitfalls

✔ How to keep your plan current with life changes

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Adults at any stage of life

• Parents, guardians, and caregivers

• Anyone who wants peace of mind

Estate Planning Essentials: Reservations are required

Our February 25, 2026 event is sold out. Please sign up for one of our other events.

At this seminar we will cover basic information and strategies to navigate the complex and emotional task of planning for your loved one’s future. Topics will include special needs trusts, STABLE accounts, and government benefits.

Estate planning is important for every adult, but members of the LGBTQ+ community often face unique legal and practical concerns when it comes to protecting themselves and the people they love.

Even with the progress made in marriage equality and legal recognition of relationships, families can still encounter challenges involving healthcare decisions, financial authority, inheritance rights, and recognition of chosen family. A thoughtful estate plan helps ensure your wishes are honored—no matter what legal or political changes may occur in the future.

In this educational session, we’ll discuss the key planning tools that help LGBTQ+ individuals and couples maintain control, dignity, and security.

Topics will include:
• Why estate planning is especially important for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples
• The importance of choosing trusted agents for financial and healthcare decisions
• Healthcare powers of attorney, living wills, and HIPAA authorizations
• Durable powers of attorney for financial matters
• How wills and trusts protect partners, spouses, and chosen family
• Using trusts as a safeguard, even if laws affecting same-sex marriage change
• Practical steps to create or update your plan

This session is designed to provide clear, practical information in a welcoming and supportive environment. Whether you are single, partnered, married, or part of a chosen family, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how to protect yourself and the people who matter most.

At this seminar we will discuss how a Memorandum of Intent is a useful tool for caregivers who are anticipating a time when they will no longer be there for their loved one. A Memorandum of Intent can help guide family. future trustees and caregivers by offering information that would be helpful (even vital) about the individual with special needs. This session would provide guidance on what type of information should be included in a Memorandum of Intent and we will have documents to use as a starting point.

At this seminar we will discuss that when someone turns eighteen, the parent's role in their child's life changes legally. What does this mean, and how can parents continue to assist with advocating for their children? For some high-functioning new adults, executing documents such as a will, a durable power of attorney (including language regarding IEPs), a healthcare power of attorney, a living will and a HIPAA Authorization may be appropriate. For others, guardianship may be necessary. This session will describe how to determine the best option for their situation and what the next steps would be.

Some of Our Past Presentations

Estate Planning for People with Disabilities

(Virtual Presentation)

Modern medical care continues to increase the lifespan of the average person with special needs, making it more important than ever to make sure that they are properly cared for after their parents and/or other caregivers are deceased. At first, estate planning for an adult child or other relative with disabilities such as serious mental illness or a developmental disability can be challenging and daunting.

Join NAMI Greater Cleveland for Estate Planning for People with Disabilities on Monday, January 27 at 12pm via Zoom. Facilitated by Dawn E. McFadden and Christina M. Bushnell—partners at McFadden Bushnell LLC who help clients with estate planning, elder law planning, special needs planning, and probate matters—this presentation will review effective tools for ensuring a supportive future for individuals with unique needs. Time will be provided for Q&A as well.

Financial & Estate Planning for LBGTQ+ Individuals & Families
Westlake Porter Library

  Learn about the importance of financial and estate planning for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

Come learn about the importance of financial and estate planning for LGBTQ+ individuals and families to better understand how to be sure all your wishes for your loved ones are implemented by having the correct estate planning documents.

Presented by Katy Bryan, PhD, CEPA, ChSNC®, of Skylight Financial and Dawn E. McFadden, Esq. and Christina M. Bushnell, Esq. of McFadden Bushnell.

Ohio State Bar Association - Elder Law Basics Seminar

McFadden Bushnell partners Dawn McFadden and Christina Bushnell presented on the subject of Special Needs Planning at the Ohio State Bar Associations seminar on Elder Law Basics on February 10, 2023. This seminar is a great opportunity for to any estate planners who may have an interest in learning more about how elder law weaves into your practice.

LGBTQ+ Estate Planning in Uncertain Times

Please join Dawn McFadden and Christina Bushnell of McFadden Bushnell LLC on Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Skylight Financial Group Penthouse for a free presentation on essential estate planning documents for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. The focus of the presentation will be on the importance of estate planning to protect yourself and your loved ones even in these uncertain times.

Location: Skylight Penthouse, 2012 West 25th Street, suite 900, Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Virtual Happy Hour Chat: Estate Planning Q & A

Virtual Meeting

We have been hearing from a lot of family, friends and neighbors with questions about what documents folks should have during a health crisis. We thought we would set up a brief Virtual Happy Hour Chat to try and answer some of those questions.

We will share some information on what folks can do to make sure they are prepared. You bring some questions and we will do what we can to answer them. And feel free to join us with your own beverage of choice.

2020 Transition Expo : Legal Considerations When a Child Turns 18, Powers of Attorney and Guardianship

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, 8001 Brecksville Rd., Brecksville, OH 44141

When someone turns eighteen, the parent's role in their child's life changes legally. What does this mean, and how can parents continue to assist with advocating for their children? For some high-functioning new adults, executing documents such as a will, a durable power of attorney (including language regarding IEPs), a healthcare power of attorney, a living will and a HIPAA Authorization may be appropriate. For others, guardianship may be necessary. This session will describe how to determine the best option for their situation and what the next steps would be.

Monarch Center for Autism : Special Needs Planning

McFadden Bushnell is honored to be presenting a seminar on behalf of Monarch Center for Autism on the best ways for families to provide for their loved ones with special needs.

Association Educational Series: Legal and Financial Issues

Mentor Public Library
 8215 Mentor Ave
 Mentor, OH 44060

McFadden Bushnell is honored to be presenting a seminar on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease makes planning for the future more important than ever. Legal and Financial Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease is an interactive two-part program where you will have a chance to learn about important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put plans in place, and how to access legal and financial resources near you. This program will cover information for families and individuals dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Topics covered will include: Making legal plans that fit your needs; Legal documents you’ll need and what they mean for all of you; How to find legal and financial assistance; Practical strategies for making a long-term plan of care; Tax deductions and credits; and Government programs that can help pay for care.

Special Needs Planning Series: Memorandum of Intent

Offices of McFadden Bushnell

A Memorandum of Intent is a useful tool for caregivers who are anticipating a time when they will no longer be there for their loved one.  While a special needs trust can set up the legal and financial framework that will provide for a loved one, it generally lacks the detail that allows for an understanding of day-to-day issues that caregivers navigate.  A Memorandum of Intent can help guide future trustees and caregivers by offering information that would be helpful (even vital) about the individual with special needs.  This session would provide guidance on what type of information should be included in a Memorandum of Intent and we will have documents to use as a starting point.

Special Needs Planning Series: Legal Considerations When a Child Turns 18, Powers of Attorney and Guardianship

Offices of McFadden Bushnell

When someone turns eighteen, the parent's role in their child's life changes legally. What does this mean, and how can parents continue to assist with advocating for their children? For some high-functioning new adults, executing documents such as a will, a durable power of attorney (including language regarding IEPs), a healthcare power of attorney, a living will and a HIPAA Authorization may be appropriate. For others, guardianship may be necessary. This session will describe how to determine the best option for their situation and what the next steps would be. 

Special Needs Planning Series: The Basics

Offices of McFadden Bushnell

We will cover basic information and strategies to navigate the complex and emotional task of planning for your loved one’s future.  Topics will include special needs trusts, STABLE accounts, and government benefits.

Community Presentations