sponsor of the month By Maria Smietana
Elizabeth “Liz” Homes has a message that she wants to get out to all special needs families: securing the future for your loved one with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges doesn’t need to be a painful process. “Planning does not have to be scary. You don’t know what you don’t know until you know what you don’t know,” she likes to say. “You do not have to be alone through this process, so please don’t rely on Google for your professional advice. While it is good to educate yourself ahead of time, consulting with a professional not only assures that you won’t miss something really important, but also that the right plan is put in place to care for your loved one.” A native of Carmel, Liz received both her BA and MBA from the University of Indianapolis before earning her JD from the McKinney School of Law at Indiana University. Choosing to concentrate in estate planning and elder law with a focus on special needs families “comes from an honest interest and passion,” Liz said. “My younger brother, Matthew, who has Crohn’s disease, dyslexia, and autism, was born when I was 9. I had always wanted a brother and we had an instant connection. In 2010, we almost lost him due to a Crohn’s flare but, fortunately, he had excellent doctors who helped save his life.” Liz never forgets that her business serves people first. “We do our best to not make any assumptions but to listen to our clients and respect their goals, wishes and plans for themselves and their loved ones with special needs,” she said. Once the client’s needs and wishes are known, Liz helps by putting the proper plans in place so that they can protect and advocate for their loved ones with special needs. That can mean drafting wills, special needs trusts, or power of attorney documents, and when appropriate, setting up guardianships. “It is not a sprint, it’s a journey, which is about both the path walked and the destination,” she said. “It is ok to ask questions to make sure that you have put the right plans in place for yourself and your loved ones.” As a special needs attorney and family member, it’s natural for Liz’s firm to give to several organizations that support people who have special needs. The Joseph Maley Foundation serves children of all abilities and does a wonderful job of including everyone in their activities. Down Syndrome Indiana hosts several support group events, Buddy Walks and tons of other fun things. Autism Society of Indiana and Easter Seals Crossroads also hosts support groups and events throughout the year. “When possible and helpful, I contribute to various events for these organizations and many more,” Liz said. “I also volunteer my time speaking to various groups to help educate about special needs planning, guardianships, and more.” When she’s not practicing law and running a business, Liz de-stresses with Hot Yoga at the Hot Room. During the pandemic, she hasn’t been able to go to the studio as much as she would like, so she has been learning how to practice yoga at home virtually. During the pandemic, Liz enrolled in Original Hot Yoga Teacher Training and now teaches at the Hot Room once a week and subs for fellow
16 Special Needs Living • February 2021
