Bethany K. Laurence

Bethany K. Laurence

Attorney

Bethany Laurence is a Senior Legal Editor at Nolo, where she has worked since 1997. She holds a J.D. from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) and is a member of the California Bar. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Boston University. 

Disability law. At Nolo, Bethany is the editor for the Disability Law Center and the Social Security and Medicare Center. She edits the books Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability; The Complete IEP Guide; Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions; and Long-Term Care. Bethany is a member of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives).

Business law. Bethany has also combined her legal and financial expertise to edit many Nolo small business books, such as LLC or Corporation and How to Form an LLC, and is the lead editor for Nolo’s online LLC and corporation services. Over the years she has co-written several business books, including Business Buyout Agreements: Plan Now for Retirement, Death, Divorce or Owner Disagreements; Save Your Small Business: 10 Crucial Strategies to Survive Hard Times or Close Down & Move On; and Bankruptcy for Small Business Owners: How to File for Chapter 7. 

Other pursuits. In addition to her work at Nolo, Bethany co-founded several educational nonprofit organizations, including River Montessori Charter School and Red Barn Montessori, and served on their boards of directors. She most recently served on the board of the Magnet Program Foundation of Hillcrest Middle School. Bethany has also volunteered her time at a disability law clinic in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.  

Originally from Rhode Island, Bethany enjoys reading and hiking in the redwoods of Northern California.

Articles By Bethany K. Laurence

Getting Medicare or Medicaid if Approved for Disability
People with disabilities (according to Social Security's definition) are able to get government health care insurance.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Disability Reconsideration or Appeal?
Learn about the benefits of hiring a legal representative when attempting to have your denial of disability benefits reconsidered and when a lawyer is advisable.
I Got Permanent Partial Disability; Can I Get Social Security Disability?
If you receive permanent partial disability benefits from a workers' compensation claim—or you received a settlement—you may be able to collect disability benefits from Social Security.
Can You Get Disability After Back Surgery?
Corrective surgery for degenerative disks, stenosis, or other back problems may leave someone unable to work - "disabled" according to Social Security - and eligible to receive monthly disability benefits.
Calculating Disability Benefits for Children of Disabled Parents
A minor child of a disabled person who receives Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) can receive a monthly cash benefit check until the child turns 18.
How to Get Disability Benefits If Self-Employed
Self-employed people who pay taxes are just as eligible for SSDI benefits as if they were employed by another person or company.
Social Security Disability Benefits for a Disabled Adult Child
Disabled adults who don't have enough work credits can sometimes use their parent's work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits.
Calculating Your Social Security Disability Payment
Your monthly disability payment is based on your average lifetime earnings before you became disabled. The severity or type of disability does not factor in, although payments from other sources can.
How Long Do Social Security Disability Benefits Last?
Assuming your disability doesn't improve and you remain unable to work, your benefits should last until you reach retirement age, at which point you'll switch over to retirement benefits.
Requirements for Social Security Disability Work Credits
To collect SSDI benefits, you must have worked enough (and paid enough FICA taxes) to qualify.