It takes a special lawyer to serve the special needs population. Kathryn Katz fits the bill perfectly.
Katz, who was recognized in 2014 and 2012 by the Legal Aid and Defender Association for her outstanding pro bono service, said there's a special place in her heart for children with special needs. As such, she generously donates her time and her expertise in the area of trusts and estates to this population. And while all of her clients are memorable, a recent case proved to be particularly special.
The client was a minor child with special needs who received social security insurance as his primary means of support. The client's grandfather, at his death, created a testamentary trust for the child and expressed his intent that the gift not disqualify his grandson from receiving government benefits. However, the original trust agreement was improperly drafted and failed to qualify as a "special needs trust," which would effectively protect the minor child's eligibility for certain need-based benefits. Katz successfully petitioned the Wayne County Probate Court to modify the original trust agreement, thus allowing the child to continue to receive the government benefits he relies on for education, support and welfare.
She said this is what being a lawyer is all about.
"While every client is an important one, it is these kinds of cases that remind me why I became an attorney," said Katz. "Special needs children often have unique and incredibly costly care requirements. I am thrilled that in this instance, I was able to ensure the child will receive all of the benefits he is due."
Katz is an attorney with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP's Trusts and Estates Practice Group where she counsels individuals on various aspects of estate and wealth transfer planning, including the preparation of wills and trusts, and the formation and operation of private foundations and public charities. In addition to her pro bono legal work, she serves on the board of directors for JARC, a nonprofit, nonsectarian agency dedicated to enabling people with disabilities to live full, dignified lives and to providing support and advocacy for their families. She is also a member of the board of directors of Summer in the City, which provides meaningful opportunities for young people to volunteer in Detroit, particularly in the summer. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Founders Junior Council of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
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—Benjamin Ensroth (Robert Mathis and Lynn Ingram contributed to this story.)