Courtney Elder Law Associates

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...

09/23/2025

Rick and Ruthie Courtney celebrating their 50th anniversary in Glacier National Park in Montana. (She says “One more too-close-to-the-edge-photo-opp by Rick may end this lovely partnership.”)

08/11/2025

Rick and Ruthie Courtney spent their 50th Anniversary weekend at the historic Anchuca Mansion in Vicksburg. (We’ve just about got this marriage thing together and are starting another round.) 😍

07/24/2025

When a person suffers severe injuries, there may be two types of legal actions available to recover damages from the responsible party. If the incident and injuries actually causes the death of the person, their heirs may be able to bring a claim on their own behalf as a “wrongful death” claim, which is not an asset of the estate. If the injured person survives the incident and could bring an action themselves but then dies, their estate could pursue this claim on behalf of the beneficiaries of their estate as a “survivorship” claim, which is an asset of the estate.

When a person suffers severe injuries, there may be two types of legal actions available to recover damages from the responsible party. If the incident and injuries actually causes the death of the person, their heirs may be able to bring a claim on their own behalf as a “wrongful death” claim, ...

07/18/2025

In 2025, Americans born in 1960 are reaching age 65, a milestone that for decades has been associated with retirement. Many people still think of 65 as the age to claim full Social Security retirement benefits. But for those born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is no longer 65; it’s 67.

Takeaways In 2025, Americans born in 1960 are reaching age 65, a milestone that for decades has been associated with retirement. Many people still think of 65 as the age to claim full Social Security retirement benefits. But for those born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is no longer 65; it’...

06/18/2025

There are four principles that apply to long-term care planning:
Knowledge is the key to success.
Professional help is crucial in saving time, money and stress.
Professional help can assure that caregiver stress is reduced and care options are expanded.
Success is assured through working with an elder law attorney.

There are four principles that apply to long-term care planning: Knowledge is the key to success.Professional help is crucial in saving time, money and stress.Professional help can assure that caregiver stress is reduced and care options are expanded.Success is assured through working with an elder....

05/15/2025

Funding cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to low-income families, could damage state economies and result in job losses, according to a report published March 25 by the Commonwealth Fund. Businesses and health care providers that receive these federal funds could cut workers. More than 1 million jobs could be lost due to Medicaid and SNAP cuts in 2026, including 477,000 roles in the health care sector, Commonwealth projects. Read more in the article link.

Funding cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to low-income families, could damage state economies and result in job losses, according to a report published March 25 by the Commonwealth Fund. If funding reductions sought by Congress a...