The Intersection of Special Needs Trusts & ABLE NM Accounts

Denise Balderas and Stella Edens Pederson will discuss how Special Needs Trusts and The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 which created savings and investments accounts for individuals work together in New Mexico.

Denise Balderas currently advises school districts on compliance issues and is a respected disability advocate who serves multiple communities thoughout New Mexico.

Denise served as an Exemplar school administrator both within Rio Rancho Public Schools and Albuquerque Public Schools, a highly qualified educator, professional trainer, and children'ts advocate for 24 years.  She has also utilized her skills to promote the ABLE NM Act within the state of New Mexio Office of the State Treasurer for the communites of individuals who are differently disabled.

Stella Edens Pederson has practiced law since 1995 focusing on estate and business planning as well as probate and trust administration.  For a period of time, she worked as a trust officer at the oldest bank in Washington State.  Admitted to the New Mexico Bar in 2022, Stella joined the Santa Fe office of Pregenzer Baysinger Wideman & Sale in January of 2023.  She practices law in both New Mexico and Washington State.

An empty nester, Stella moved with her husband and three dogs to Santa Fe in 2022.  They came to New Mexico for the chiles, but stayed for the vibrant arts and music communities, the spectacular New Mexico scenery and outdoors activities, and the historic mix of diverse cultures.