8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 How Incarceration Affects Eligibility for VA Benefits and Using the Information for Sentencing
Richard Rousseau, Criss & Rousseau Law Firm, Harker Heights, Texas
When a veteran is sentenced to 61 days or more in prison, their VA benefits will be reduced. This leads to further hardship for the veteran and worsened outcomes overall. Learn the specifics of these penalties and how to use this knowledge to advocate for a veteran facing sentencing.
10:00 Break
10:10 Military Disability Retirement Pay and Family Law Issues
Sarah Gerow, Sullivan & Hilscher Family Law, Raleigh
Kris Hilscher, Sullivan & Hilscher Family Law, Raleigh
This session discusses family law issues surrounding military disability retired pay. Learn about special issues and considerations that arise with how this retirement benefit is handled for various family law scenarios, from two attorneys in a firm that specializes in military family law matters.
11:10 Break
11:20 Dependency and Indemnity (DIC) Benefits and Accrued Benefits
Christopher Stevens, Deuterman Law Group, Winston-Salem/Greensboro
When a veteran passes away, there are potential benefits available from the VA for a veteran's surviving spouse. The surviving spouse may also continue any active claims or appeals for VA benefits that were pending at the time of the veteran's passing. This session discusses these options in detail.
12:20 Adjourn
Thank you for joining us for The Intersection of Veteran and Military Benefits With Non-VA Practice Areas (2024 Military & Veterans Law Section Program).
This program provides insight for practitioners of criminal law, family law, estate planning and elder law as to how these unique military-related benefits and laws intersect with non-military practice areas, and how they can be used to better advocate for a client who is a veteran or service member.
Sarah Gerow is an Associate Attorney at Sullivan & Hilscher Family Law in Raleigh.
Sarah earned her B.A., magna cum laude, in History, with a minor in Sociology and Dance, from The George Washington University and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
In 2021, Sarah married her husband, Benjamin, who is a member of the North Carolina Army National Guard. Her experience as a military spouse drew her to our firm, where she can apply her passion to helping servicemembers and their spouses.
Click here for more information about Sarah.
Kristopher J. "Kris" Hilscher is an attorney with Sullivan & Hilscher Family Law in Raleigh. He focuses exclusively on divorce and family law matters, and have a particular focus on military divorce.
Kris frequently serves as an expert co-counsel for military divorce cases nationwide. He has authored several articles, and frequently teaches continuing education courses to other lawyers across the U.S. regarding military divorce.
Kris has appeared on CNN's HLN, ABC, NBC, WRAL, and in The Guardian. He was recognized as a "Leader in the Law" by North Carolina Lawyer's Weekly, honoring lawyers who set the standard for other lawyers, make outstanding contributions to the practice of law, show leadership in improving the justice system, act as role models and mentors, and make essential contributions to the legal community. He received an AV rating from the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, a distinction awarded to lawyers who have achieved the highest level of professional excellence as rated by lawyers and judges. He was also recognized as "Legal Elite" by Business North Carolina magazine.
Kris serves as the co-chair of the American Bar Association Family Law Section's Military Committee. He was appointed to the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel. He is on the family law committee of the GP Solo Section of the American Bar Association. He is an appointed member of the Continuing Legal Education Advisory Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association. He served as a mentor to applicants for family law specialization in 2021. Additionally, he is on the Bench-Bar committee of the Wake County Bar Association, serving as a liaison between attorneys and judges in Wake County. He previously served on the social committee of the Wake County Bar Association.
Kris earned his B.A. in Political Science from Hampden-Sydney College and his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law.
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Richard W. "Rick" Rousseau is a Partner at Criss & Rousseau Law Firm in Harker Heights, TX.
Colonel (Retired) Rick Rousseau has extensive experience in military law following 27 years on active duty as a Judge Advocate (JAG) and practicing Veterans Disability Law since his military retirement in 2015. He served in various positions while on active duty, including twice as a Staff Judge Advocate (Senior Legal Advisor) for Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Regional Defense Counsel, defense counsel, prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and legal assistance attorney.
Rick served as a full-time law professor at The Judge Advocate General's (JAG) School in Charlottesville, VA, where he taught estate planning, taxation and veterans & survivor benefits. He also published numerous articles on legal assistance issues.
Rick deployed three times as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Rick earned his B.S. in Education from The University of Texas, Austin, M.A. in National Security & Strategic Studies from U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI, J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, LL.M. in Taxation from The University of Alabama School of Law and his LL.M. in Military Law with a Specialty in Administrative & Civil Law from The Judge Advocate General's School U.S. Army in Charlottesville, VA.
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Christopher "Chris" Stevens is Senior Attorney at The Deuterman Law Group in Winston-Salem. Representing veterans on VA claim appeals is his sole area of practice at the firm. He is accredited by the VA to represent veterans and their families on appeals of their VA disability claims. He is also admitted to practice at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Chris is the Immediate Past Chair of the Military and Veterans Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. He is also a member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates, a group whose membership includes attorneys and other advocates for disabled veterans.
Chris is the current Chair of the Military and Veterans Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, which coordinates state bar activities and initiatives impacting military and veterans. He is also a member of the National Organization of Veterans Advocates, a group whose membership includes attorneys and other advocates for disabled veterans.
As an attorney, Chris has done pro bono work as part of Elon Law's Vet Your Records clinic for former military service members veterans, raised money for the Samaritan Ministries Penny Campaign and participated in firm-wide volunteer efforts.
Chris graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in business administration, double majoring in economics and marketing and earned his J.D. from the UNC School of Law. While in law school, he won the Eugene Gressman & Daniel H. Pollitt Appellate Advocacy Award for Best Appellant Argument.
In his free time, Chris enjoys following state and national politics, playing guitar, watching football and competing in trivia competitions.
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