Involuntary Discharges from Skilled Nursing Facilities

Suzanne Courtheoux

Director, Long-Term Care Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago

Tentative for 1 general CLE credit

This informative and timely webinar explores the complex and often misunderstood issue of involuntary discharges from skilled nursing facilities. Designed for legal professionals, advocates, healthcare providers, and families, the session will break down residents’ rights, federal and state regulations, and the legal standards governing transfers and discharges.

Suzanne Courtheoux is the Director of the Long-Term Care Practice Group. Since she joined Legal Aid Chicago in 2013, Suzanne has been advocating for residents of long-term care facilities in suburban Cook County and Lake County through the Ombudsman Program. She advocates on a broad range of issues affecting residents and often represents residents in involuntary discharge hearings and Medicaid appeals. Prior to joining Legal Aid Chicago, Suzanne represented a wide range of clients in commercial litigation, labor & employment and insurance issues at large law firms – Jenner & Block and Seyfarth Shaw. Suzanne earned her bachelor’s degree at Yale University and her law degree at University of Chicago Law School in 2004.

SPRING 2026 UnProgram

May 1, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Bloomingdale Golf Club

181 N. Glen Ellyn Road, Bloomingdale, IL

Register and pay by April 1 for a chance to win a gift card for the IL NAELA Merch Store!

A Day of Inspiration, Connection & Opportunity You Don't Want to Miss!

The UnProgram is more than just an event — it’s a chance to immerse yourself in new ideas, connect with incredible people, and walk away feeling inspired and energized.

AGENDA

Keynote Speaker: Ben Malsch, MSSC, Chicago New Business Officer, Midland Trust Company

Ben administers guardianships, special needs trusts, and estate settlements, collaborating closely with attorneys and families to provide prompt, empathetic service.

Ben serves as Senior Trust Officer at Midland Trust Company and has more than 30 years of experience administering guardianships and trusts for his clients with empathy and respect. He specializes in administering guardianships for minors and adults with disabilities, special needs trusts, and estate settlement. Ben assists attorneys and families in designing meaningful long-term financial management strategies unique to each client’s circumstances.

LUNCH SPONSOR

Best Practices and Recent Updates in Medicaid Compliant Annuity Planning

Tuesday, May 12 from 1:00 - 2:00 PM CT

Thomas Krause, J.D.

President, Krause Financial Services

and

Collin Terry, MBA, CLTC

Compliance Director, Krause Financial Services

Tentative for 1 general CLE credit

Stay current on the latest developments in Medicaid Compliant Annuity (MCA) planning. This webinar will cover best practices for structuring annuities to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements, recent regulatory and policy updates, common compliance pitfalls, and strategic planning considerations. Ideal for attorneys, financial professionals, and advisors, this session will provide practical guidance to help ensure effective and compliant long-term care planning strategies.

Tom Krause plays a primary role in the growth and development of Krause Financial. Tom has a strong foundation in the elder law industry and has built on that expertise to continually enhance the experience of Krause attorneys. He has developed several essential resources, including the national KrauseCAST webinar series, the 3,000-member Attorney Access platform, and state-specific roadshow events, all of which are designed to help attorneys incorporate Medicaid planning into their practice. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 2010 and his Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law in 2014. He has prior experience working in civil litigation firms, which provided him with the framework to always seek a beneficial outcome for the client. Tom is a member of the California Bar, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the American Bar Association. He also has his insurance license in 48 states.

Collin Terry started at Krause Financial as a Benefits Planner in 2017 before becoming Sales Director and eventually moving into his current role as Compliance Director. On any given day, he can be found working with the Sales team as they educate and provide solutions for elder law attorneys across the country. As Compliance Director, Collin researches and communicates Medicaid policy and strategy updates that are vital to ensuring compliance and efficiency for our Medicaid Compliant Annuity cases. Collin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and earned his MBA from Columbia Southern University. He has prior experience working in sales and customer service roles, which have prepared him for providing the best products and service to our clients throughout the Medicaid planning process. Collin also has his Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC).