SPRING 2026 UnProgram

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

Bloomingdale Golf Club

181 N. Glen Ellyn Road, Bloomingdale, IL

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).

The Prudent Investor Rule in a Guardianship Context: Balancing Safety, Income, and Court Restrictions

Tuesday, June 9, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Benjamin F. Malsch, MSSC, Senior Trust Officer, Midland Trust

Tentative for 1 general CLE credit

Explore how the Prudent Investor Rule applies within a guardianship framework, where financial decisions must balance safety, income generation, and strict court oversight. This webinar will break down fiduciary responsibilities, investment constraints, and practical strategies to help guardians and advisors manage assets prudently while remaining compliant with legal requirements.

Ben Malsch, MSSC, 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.

Facility Contracts and Related Implications

Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Amy Delaney, Managing Partner, DDV Law LTD

Tentative for 1 general CLE credit

This webinar explores the critical components of facility contracts and the broader implications. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of contract structures, key terms, risk allocation, compliance considerations, and financial impacts. The session will also highlight common pitfalls, negotiation strategies, and best practices to ensure effective contract management. 

Amy Delaney is the Founder and Managing Partner of DDV Law, Ltd., where she leads a practice focused on elder law, including nursing home residents’ rights, Medicaid and special needs planning, guardianship and probate litigation, and estate and trust administration. She is a Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), certified by the National Elder Law Foundation and the American Bar Association.

With over 25 years of experience, Amy has earned consistent recognition as a Leading Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and one of the Top 50 Female Attorneys in Illinois. She holds the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and maintains a perfect Avvo rating. Her work has been featured in The New Yorker, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, CNN, WGN, and PBS.

Amy is a past president of the Illinois Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and currently serves on its legislative committee. She helped shape emergency rules for remote notarization during the COVID-19 pandemic and was appointed to the Secretary of State’s Remote Notarization Taskforce. She has also contributed to key elder law reforms, including updates to the Illinois Trust Code, Probate Act, and Nursing Home Care Act.