Building a Brighter Future for Older Adults and People with Disabilities | Thoughtful legal planning can help older adults and people with disabilities maintain independence, protect their assets, and ensure that their wishes are honored. This program will explore key legal tools and planning strategies—including advance directives, powers of attorney, trusts, public benefits planning, and long-term care considerations—that can help individuals and families prepare for the future with confidence. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating comprehensive plans that promote security, preserve autonomy, and enhance quality of life.

Ruthann Lacey is Of Counsel with Brightside Estate & Elder Law. She has been in private practice as an attorney for over 30 years. From the inception of her practice she has concentrated in Elder Law and Special Needs Law – a practice that is dedicated to the unique and complex planning needs of seniors, their adult children, their grandchildren, and individuals of all ages with special needs.  Ruthann is an alumna of Emory University School of Law, a member of the Special Needs Alliance, a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners, and is one of just twelve Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in Georgia. She is an active speaker on the local, state and national levels, both to professional and public groups and organizations, and is an editor and published author.

Better Outcomes Through Housing Wealth | Empower your clients to retire with greater confidence. This presentation shows how today’s modern, FHA‑insured reverse mortgage can strategically unlock housing wealth to reduce sequence‑of‑returns risk, buffer long‑term care and in‑home care costs, and extend the life of retirement assets. Advisors will learn how improved consumer protections and flexible HECM features create a powerful, tax‑free tool for strengthening retirement plans.

Mark Fitzpatrick, Senior Mortgage Consultant, Longbridge Financial LLC, a national leading mortgage company specializing in home equity for seniors.  Originally from Utah and California, Mark now proudly calls Idaho his home. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from California State University, Fullerton, and brings nearly 20 years of mortgage industry experience, with the past decade focused on reverse mortgages. Mark is licensed in 22 states to conduct mortgages.  

Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. They love embarking on family adventures, including camping, fishing, hiking, and skiing. Recently, his kids introduced him to the exciting world of rock hounding!