Clint visits with Stephanie Coleman, program director of West Virginia University College of Law Taxpayer Clinic. They cover lots of tax issues including how to claim missing stimulus payments, how to correct errors and how to handle debt to the IRS. What should you do with the letters the IRS sends you and at what point should you seek legal assistance? What are the W2 and 1099 forms and which should you fill out? When is the deadline to file your taxes and how can you request an extension? To apply for services from the clinic go to law.wvu.edu/clinical-law/clinics. If you need assistance with completing your 2022 taxes, consider a VITA volunteer at irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or 800-906-9887.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clint Adams and Cathy Townsend-Estep discuss the DHHR’s Supplementary Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as Food Stamps. Learn how to apply for SNAP and how to check how much you are eligible for based on income and assets. What form do these benefits come in and what are you able to purchase with them? Learn about new guidelines post COVID-19 pandemic and potential work requirements for certain recipients. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie Bechtel joins Clint Adams to discuss options for West Virginians seeking to seal their past criminal records, a process known as expungement. Which crimes are eligible for expungement, and which are not (DUIs, crimes against child or elderly victims, violence, etc.). At what point do you become eligible for a record expungement and how does completion of a Substance Use Disorder Recovery Program alter this? Who must you inform that you are seeking to have your record expunged? What expectations should you keep in mind during the process? 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clint Adams and Legal Aid of WV attorney Marie Bechtel share information for West Virginians looking to get their driver's license for the first time or to get a reinstatement after a suspension or revocation. Learn about the two tests needed to receive this type of identification and what documents you should bring with you to your appointment. How can you get assistance if you do not have the necessary documents needed for a driver's license? How should you navigate the drivers’ license points system? What options do you have for paying outstanding fees with the courts before you are eligible for reinstatement? 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behavioral Health Advocate Rooney Reed joins Clint Adams to discuss Mental Health Treatment facilities in West Virginia, also known as Inpatient Psychiatric Care Facilities. Hear about the court hearing process that may result in a recommendation of being admitted to a Mental Health Facility. Learn about the methods of providing medication and therapy to prepare residents for reentering the community. What rights do residents have regarding clothing, visitors, media, etc.? Hear about the various programs and vocational training offered at these facilities. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clint Adams is joined by Long-Term Care Ombudsman Ed Hopple to discuss how long-term care Ombudsmen (non-attorney patient advocates) work to ensure the rights of residents in nursing home, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities are fully maintained. Learn about what may take place during an ombudsman’s visit, who they may speak with, and different ways they can advocate for the rights of residents or empower residents to advocate for themselves. Hear about reasons a facility may discharge or relocate a resident and steps to appeal. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clint Adams and James Lindsay, Chair of the Financial Exploitation Task Force at Legal Aid of WV, share information on financial exploitation. Financial exploitation refers to the intentional misappropriation of finances or wealth belonging to elderly, disabled, or incapacitated individuals. What does it mean to have a fiduciary relationship with someone, in terms of finances? What are the responsibilities this type of relationship entails? What are some indicators of financial exploitation to be aware of? 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legal Aid of WV’s Supervising Attorney for the Behavioral Health Advocacy Project, Jacki Schwaben, joins Clint Adams discuss different options for transferring control of legal, medical, and financial decisions for individuals over the age of 18 to another adult. This episode covers Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Power of Attorney. What are the steps to file for any of these options? Who is qualified to be a conservator or guardian of an adult? What steps can you take to terminate guardianship if the situation has changed? 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attorney Bill Saviers joins Clint Adams to discuss factors of creating a will, a legal document that states what to do with one’s estate at their time of death. Hear about what should be included in a will, such as addressing specific items, establishing trusts, and determining guardianship of children. Learn how to get a will notarized or revoked. How often should you update your will? What does it mean to have a “living will” or “medical power of attorney?” 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clint Adams and attorney Leah Smith explain the role of a family court Guardian ad litem, an attorney appointed to represent a child’s best interest, in West Virginia. These attorneys are often appointed in cases of alleged child abuse, drug use, or domestic violence. They are tasked with investigating abuse by interviewing all relevant parties and records relevant to the child and offering their well-informed suggestion of where the court should place them. Although these opinions carry weight in the courts, the judge ultimately has final say in placing the child, so learn what your options are if you disagree with the opinion of the guardian ad litem. Clint and Lea also share tips for attorneys taking on the role of guardian ad litem. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.