Legal Issues of the Aging 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • Attorney Regulation
  • Elder Law
Up to 6.5 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
Legal Issues of the Aging 2026

Co-produced with the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin

When the system says no, what's your next move?

A denied Family Care application. An estate recovery claim. A fair hearing request. Questions about capacity and decision-making. Elder law attorneys are often called upon when clients and families are facing complex systems, high stakes, and few easy answers.

Legal Issues of the Aging 2026 brings together experienced practitioners and agency leaders for a practical review of the legal developments, advocacy strategies, and ethical considerations shaping elder law practice in Wisconsin today.

8:30 am
Fair Hearing Decisions & Case Law Update

Abbey K. Bowen, Polly Shoemaker

  • New Legislation
  • New Case Law
  • New DHS Memos
  • New Fair Hearing Decisions
9:20 am
Wisconsin Act 115 and Advanced Care Planning

Avery J. Mayne

10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
Family Care Applications

Jessica A. Braun, Tammy Depies, Samantha Heft, Jeff Werstein11:15 a.m. Fair Hearing Requests

  • Attorney as the Authorized Representative
  • MCO’s refusal
  • Tips for getting an application approved
12:00 pm
Lunch (Networking Lunch sponsored by ELSN Section)
1:00 pm
What is New in Estate Recovery

Anthony P. Davenport

  • Common mistakes in estate recovery submissions
  • Family care capitation rates
1:50 pm
Break
2:05 pm
Model Rule 1.14/ WI SCR 20:1.14

Dean R. Dietrich

  • Maintaining a “normal client relationship” with those with diminished capacity
  • Substantial belief a client has diminished capacity and when to consult with others including a guardian ad litem
2:55 pm
Fair Hearing and Estate Recovery Nuts and Bolts

Reg P. Wydeven

  • Guided discussion of the days content with practical questions and debate
  • Review of what practitioners are seeing and best practices
3:45 pm
Program Concludes
Abbey K. Bowen
Wessels & Liebau, LLC · Mequon
Jessica A. Braun
Schober, Schober & Mitchell, S.C. · New Berlin
Anthony P. Davenport
Wisconsin Department of Health Services · Madison
Dean R. Dietrich
Weld Riley, S.C. · Wausau
Tammy Depries
Waukesha County Health and Human Services · Waukesha
Samantha Heft
Schober, Schober & Mitchell S.C. · New Berlin
Avery J. Mayne
von Briesen & Roper, S.C. · Milwaukee
Kate J. Schilling
ALJ, Division of Hearings and Appeals · Madison
Polly Shoemaker
Haskins, Main & Devine, LLC · Monona
Jeff Werstein
Waukesha County Health & Human Services · Waukesha
Reg P. Wydeven
McCarty Law, LLP · Appleton

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Understand recent fair hearing decisions and case law developments affecting aging clients
  • Develop stronger strategies for handling Family Care applications, fair hearings, and public benefits advocacy
  • Better navigate estate recovery issues, including common mistakes and emerging trends
  • Strengthen your understanding of advanced care planning requirements and developments
  • Address ethical challenges involving clients with diminished capacity
  • Improve client counseling and long-term planning strategies for aging clients and their families
  • Elder law attorneys
  • Guardians ad litem for adults
  • Estate planning attorneys
  • Probate attorneys
  • General practitioners

Book Bonus!

Advising Older Clients & Their Families – 2 Volume Set
Save 15% on the Advising Older Clients & Their Families – 2 Volume Set.* In it, you’ll find the practice pointers, tips, charts, forms, and other tools to help you build and maintain a successful elder law practice. Use discount code CA3981 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

The Elder Law and Special Needs Section is pleased to offer five scholarships to attend Legal Issues of the Aging 2026 in person on Friday, September 25, 2026. Find more information on scholarship eligibility and the application here. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 24, 2026. Questions? Please contact Section Coordinator Kara Olson.

Attendees at the in-person seminar will have a special opportunity to meet and talk with presenters at a complimentary luncheon sponsored by the State Bar’s Elder Law and Special Needs Section.