People with autism are more intelligent and better able to function than previously believed. The erroneous beliefs come from biased test and a long history of assumptions. IQ tests used to estimate the intelligence of people with autism have relied heavily on verbal abilities, which in many cases lag far behind other forms of intelligence, such as spatial and logical.

Go to the Social Security Administration to see the new eligibility and penalty figures for Supplemental Security Income recipients in 2006. Or just read here!

Maximum benefits for California recipients will be $836 per month (the federal benefit is only $603 but California and some other states provide supplements to increase the benefit level).

The maximum reduction for recept of “stuff” (in-kind support and maintenance — not cash) is $221. That means that if a parent or a special needs trust buys stuff for an SSI recipient, that recipient will have his or her $836 reduced dollar for dollar for the value of those benefits but only up to a maximum of $221.00. So a person with a special needs trust that spends $225 or $2,000 or $20,000 per month on her will still receive an SSI benefit of $615 ($836 minus $221).

Thanks to Steve Dale of The Dale Law Firm for the link!

Attorneys are paid to be advocates for their clients, but we try to be courteous to each other, our clients, our teams, and even the “other” side of cases. Unfortunately, we don’t always succeed. Sometimes we can be downright childish, as this email exchange (between a firm partner and a potential new attorney hire) demonstrates. It’s making its way around the world and both parties have confirmed it is an actual exchange.

For those without the patience to read the entire thing, know that it concludes with the mature and effective communication: “bla bla bla.”

For those who’d like to see a humorous if somewhat frightening take on the underbelly of large firm life, keep an eye on this anonymous firm hiring partner’s blog.

• Choose the maximum limits on your auto and homeowners’ insurance.
• Sit down with an experienced insurance agent to set the right level of business insurance, whether or not you have a corporation.
• Buy a Personal Umbrella Insurance Policy with a limit at least equal to your net worth.
• Place non-personal use assets (not your house or car, things like your investment account and rental properties) into an Asset Protection Vehicle like a Wyoming Closely Held Limited Liability Company, an Alaska Asset Protection Trust or a Delaware Series Limited Liability Company.