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This Ninth Circuit memorandum opinion doesn’t break new legal ground—but it reinforces several recurring themes  in social security appeals, especially when records are thin and arguments are underdeveloped. Key Takeaways Appeals fail when records lack support and arguments are weak. Claimants must clearly articulate legal theories at every step. The Ninth Circuit will affirm favorable agency decisions when plaintiffs don’t carry their burden. Step Two: “Severe” Means Functio

Every year on February 1 , states observe National Unclaimed Property Day —a reminder that billions of dollars in forgotten assets are being held by governments, waiting for rightful owners. This day encourages you to reclaim money already yours and prevent future financial losses. What Is Unclaimed Property? Unclaimed property includes financial assets with no activity or contact for a set time , usually 1–5 years. These assets are turned over to the state in a process calle

Losing a loved one is already an incredibly emotional and overwhelming experience. Amidst the grief, surviving family members often face an unexpected burden: dealing with the decedent’s debt. This can lead to an important and uncomfortable question: Am I personally responsible for paying off their debts?   If you’re in Florida, the answer is generally reassuring. No, in most cases, heirs are not personally responsible for a deceased loved one’s debts. But, as with any rule,

In Welch v. Bisignano  (Jan. 9, 2026), the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the denial of disabled child’s insurance benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). While the outcome isn’t surprising, the reasoning offers important reminders for disability advocates—especially regarding how diagnoses, impairments, and medical evidence are evaluated. Diagnosis Alone Is Not a Medically Determinable Impairment (MDI) Q: Does having a diagnosis guarantee a medically determi

One of the most common questions families ask after a loved one passes away is:  “What actually has to go through probate?”  The answer is often less intimidating than people expect. Not everything a person owned becomes part of a Florida probate case. Whether an asset goes through probate usually depends on how it was owned and whether a beneficiary was properly designated .  Below is a clear breakdown of the assets families ask about most.  What Determines Whether an Asse

For practitioners litigating mental-health disability claims , the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Laird v. Bisignano , No. 25-50347 (5th Cir. Jan. 8, 2026), offers both guidance and caution. The case delves into the application of Listings 12.04 and 12.06 , particularly under Paragraph C – marginal adjustment . Overview of the Case The claimant in Laird  alleged disability based on bipolar disorder and anxiety , asserting that he met the criteria under Paragraph C  of the releva

Losing a loved one is hard enough, but learning that you can’t access their bank accounts or pay bills right away can make a painful time even more stressful. Many families are caught off guard when the legal authority they thought they had suddenly disappears. What Happens When Someone Dies Authority From Power of Attorney Ends at Death A Power of Attorney gives someone authority to act only while a person is alive . The moment someone dies: That authority ends. Financial in

One of the first questions families ask after a loved one passes away is simple—and completely reasonable:  “How long is this going to take?”  The short answer is: it depends . The more helpful answer depends on the type of probate , the assets involved , and whether there are complications or disputes .  Below is a clear breakdown of what actually drives probate timelines in Florida.  The Two Main Probate Timelines in Florida  Florida probate generally follows one of two pat

Let’s take a trip back to 1971 , when a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case changed the way Social Security disability claims  are handled. Richardson v. Perales  was the first major case to address the procedural standards  in Social Security disability hearings. The Court ruled that the Social Security Administration (SSA)  could rely on written medical reports , even if the doctors who authored them did not testify in person. This decision has had a lasting impact on how disa

One of the most common questions families ask after a loved one passes away is:  “What actually has to go through probate?”   The answer is often less intimidating than people expect. Not everything a person owned becomes part of a Florida probate case. Whether an asset goes through probate usually depends on how it was owned and whether a beneficiary was properly designated .  Below is a clear breakdown of the assets families ask about most.  What Determines Whether an Ass

You open the door to your parents’ home for the first time since the funeral. Closets stuffed with decades of clothes.Cabinets filled with china no one ever used.A garage packed with tools, decorations, and boxes labeled “miscellaneous.” Drawers overflowing with papers, keepsakes, and items whose meaning you’ll never fully understand. The task ahead feels impossible. This scene plays out in homes across America every day. With an estimated $90 trillion in assets transferring

If you litigate Social Security Disability (SSD) cases in the Fourth Circuit, Hultz v. Bisignano  is a decision you’ll want to keep close. This case builds on Arakas v. Commissioner  and provides a strong reminder, and a warning, about how fibromyalgia claims must be properly evaluated. Hultz Reinforces Arakas: No Objective Evidence Requirement for Fibromyalgia The core error in Hultz  involved the ALJ denying benefits by discounting subjective symptoms simply because they we

One of the first questions families ask after a loved one passes away is simple—and completely reasonable:  “How long is this going to take?”  The short answer is: it depends . The more helpful answer depends on the type of probate , the assets involved , and whether there are complications or disputes .  Below is a clear breakdown of what actually drives probate timelines in Florida.  The Two Main Probate Timelines in Florida  Florida probate generally follows one of two pat

A Case That Shouldn’t Have Gone This Far It took a trip all the way to the Ninth Circuit to clarify something fundamental: Step Two of the Social Security disability process is a minimal threshold , not a high bar. Fortunately, Josephine Gerrard  stepped in and delivered an outstanding oral argument on behalf of her client, Combest , leading to a much-needed remand . Background on the Claimant Combest  suffers from the following medically documented impairments : Fibromyalgia

(What the Role Really Involves — and Why Understanding It Early Matters)   When someone passes away, it is very common for a family member or close friend to be asked to serve as Personal Representative of the estate. Often, people agree to take on this role without fully understanding what it involves. In other situations, beneficiaries may have questions or concerns about how an estate is being handled and want to know what the Personal Representative is legally required t

Estate planning isn’t just about paperwork — it’s about safeguarding your family’s future, preserving privacy, and avoiding unnecessary legal complications. Whether you’re just starting or revisiting your plan, knowing the difference between a will  and a trust  — and how each works — is essential to making the best decision for your goals and loved ones. For a deeper look at comprehensive planning that goes beyond wills and trusts, see Estate Planning Overview — Tower Law Gr

Every so often, a Social Security case reads less like routine administrative law and more like a cautionary tale about delay, broken process, and institutional fatigue. Hicks v. Commissioner , a decision issued by the Sixth Circuit , is one of those cases. Background: The Hicks Case Hicks was awarded Supplemental Security Income (SSI)  in 2008. Her case was later entangled in the Eric Conn / ALJ Daugherty fraud scandal , despite her having no involvement  in the misconduct.

(Why Timing and Information Matter More Than People Realize)   Many Florida probate matters don’t begin with disputes or litigation. They begin with surprise.  People often learn, days, weeks, or even months after a death, that they are a Personal Representative, a beneficiary, or otherwise involved in a probate case. By the time they realize this, important decisions may already have been made, statutory deadlines may be approaching, and emotions may already be running high.

You probably know you “should” have a will or a trust , but have you ever talked with your family about why your money exists in the first place?  A simple family mission statement, combined with a comprehensive estate plan can dramatically increase the odds that your wealth—and your relationships—stay intact for generations. You spend a lifetime working, saving, and building a life for the people you love. Yet research shows that: An estimated 70% of wealthy families lose th

As the holiday season wraps up and the New Year approaches, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit  quietly issued a decision that Social Security disability practitioners  should not overlook: Nunez v. Commissioner of Social Security . This decision reinforces a critical point in Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)  analysis: there must be a clear connection between acknowledged mental limitations and the actual functional limitations reflected in the RFC. Key Issue