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 Your Retirement Money Early—Without Penalty
There are several ways to avoid the extra 10% tax on early distributions from retirement plans.
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage: The Basics
Medicare Part D is administered through private insurance companies. Most beneficiaries pay a small monthly premium, a yearly deductible, and a copayment for each prescription.
Nevada's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
If you live in Nevada and you've received Medicaid to pay for certain services during your life, Nevada's Medicaid Program will attempt to recover some costs from your estate when you die.
How Spouses Can Maximize Their Social Security Retirement Benefits
Married couples are often able to strategize the timing of their Social Security retirement benefits to get higher lifetime benefits for one or both spouses.
Reduction in Social Security Early Retirement for the Self-Employed
Even if you don’t make over the earned income limit for early retirement, you can still lose benefits if you work for your business.
New Mexico Social Security Disability Benefits
Find out about New Mexico's state supplemental payments, plus how to appeal a denial of Social Security disability or SSI and whether you qualify for Medicaid.
How to Start a Corporation in 7 Steps
If you've sorted through the many types of business structures and decided to start a corporation, you're
When Will Medicaid Pay for a Nursing Home or Assisted Living?
Here's an introduction to Medicaid's complicated rules on eligibility for nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care.
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.
How to Start Your Own Business: 50 Things You'll Need to Do
Thinking about starting a business? You're not alone. Every year, thousands of Americans catch the entrepreneurial spirit, launching small businesses to sell their products or services. Some businesses thrive; many fail. The more you know about starting a business, the more power you have to form an organization that develops into a lasting source of income and satisfaction. For help with the beginning stages of operating a business, the following checklist is a great place to start.