Bethany K. Laurence

Bethany K. Laurence

Attorney · UC Law San Francisco

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 and Social Security, Medicare, and Government Pensions. 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

Can You Be Fired From a Job While on Leave With Disability?
Being granted disability insurance benefits while you are off work does not prevent your employer from taking your job away.
Getting Disability Benefits for Cardiomyopathy
There are many types of cardiomyopathy--ischemic, dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive, all of which can qualify for disability if severe enough.
Are Social Security Disability Benefits Taxed?
Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) can be subject to tax, but most people do not end up paying taxes on them because they don't have much other income.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on My Lump-Sum Back Payment of Social Security Disability Benefits?
Half of my lump-sum payment was for the tax year before last year. Will I be taxed on it?
Can a Tax Refund Affect SSI Eligibility?
Social Security will ignore your federal tax refund for 12 months; after that, if you have too much money, you could lose your SSI benefits.
Can I Get Disabled Widow's Benefits?
My husband of 35 years died at age 65. He was collecting Social Security. I'm 58, so I'm not eligible for retirement yet, but I can no longer work due to a bad hip and back problems. Can I get disabled widow's benefits?
Disability Benefits for Epilepsy as an Adult
If your medication doesn't prevent you from having frequent disruptive seizures, you might qualify for disability benefits.
What Can I Do If Social Security Gave Me the Wrong Disability Onset Date?
Challenging an established onset date for SSDI or SSI is possible, but it might not be worth it unless you stand to gain a good deal more money in back payments.
Social Security Parent's Benefits for the Dependent Parents of a Deceased Child
You might qualify for Social Security parent's benefits if your deceased child provided at least half your support.
Penalties for Using a Service Dog or Emotional Support Animal Under False Pretenses
An increasing number of people have been falsely claiming that their pets are service animals so that they can take them to public places.