Frequently Asked Questions

Lang Law, LLC handles Social Security Disability (SSDI and SSI) cases and Estates & Trusts matters — including wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and probate — in Colorado, Maryland, and Texas.

• Social Security Disability & Supplemental Security Income cases
• Wills
• Revocable Trusts
• Powers of Attorney
• Living Wills
• Probate matters

Yes. Consultations are free for Social Security Disability and most Estate Planning services. Call 866-789-4568 or use the Contact Us form; we respond to most inquiries within 24 hours.

An attorney improves your chances of approval by ensuring your application is complete, gathering strong medical evidence, and representing you at hearings. At Lang Law, LLC, we work on a contingency fee basis — you pay no fee unless we win your case. Over 60% of initial applications are denied, and most approved claims succeed on appeal, where legal representation has the greatest impact.

You qualify if your condition prevents substantial work for at least 12 months — not because of a specific diagnosis. SSA’s Listing of Impairments (the “Blue Book”) covers common conditions like spinal disorders, heart disease, COPD, depression, and cancer, but you can also qualify through a medical-vocational allowance if your limitations prevent any work. See our article What Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability? for details.

An initial decision usually takes 3 to 5 months. If your claim is denied and you appeal to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, expect 12 to 18 months from the hearing request to a decision. The full process — from application through hearing decision — can take 1 to 2 years or more, depending on the hearing office backlog. See our article How Long Does a Social Security Disability ALJ Hearing Take? for a step-by-step timeline.

File an appeal within 60 days of receiving the denial letter — missing the deadline usually means starting over. The first appeal level is a Request for Reconsideration (a new SSA reviewer re-examines your file). If denied again, you can request an ALJ hearing, where most approved claims are won. You can submit new medical evidence at each level. See our article Denied Social Security Disability? Here Are Your Next Steps for the full appeal process.

SSDI back pay covers the months from your established onset date — after a five-month waiting period — through the date your claim is approved, multiplied by your monthly benefit rate. SSI back pay has no waiting period but is paid in installments when the past-due amount is large. Your attorney’s fee (up to 25%, capped by SSA) is withheld from past-due benefits. See our article How Social Security Disability Back Pay Is Calculated for a worked example.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is an insurance program for workers who have paid Social Security taxes for 5 of the last 10 years. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a need-based program for people with limited income and assets who may not qualify for SSDI. Both require the same medical disability standard — a condition expected to prevent substantial work for at least 12 months. See our article SSDI vs. SSI: What’s the Difference and Who Qualifies? for details.

A will directs how your assets are distributed after death and must pass through probate court. A trust lets a trustee manage and distribute assets for your beneficiaries without probate, offering privacy, greater control over when and how assets are distributed, and potential tax advantages.

Probate is the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person’s estate. It involves validating the will, identifying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. Proper estate planning can help minimize or avoid probate entirely.

Trusts avoid probate, keep your affairs private, let you control when and how beneficiaries receive assets, provide for incapacity, and can offer tax advantages in some situations. Unlike a will, a trust takes effect during your lifetime and can manage assets if you become incapacitated.

Yes. A will lets you name guardians for minor children, specify who receives even modest assets, and avoid state default intestacy rules that may not match your wishes. Every adult — regardless of asset level — should have at least a basic will, plus a power of attorney and advance directive for incapacity.