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 edits the Social Security, Medicare, and disability content, and she is the managing editor of the DisabilitySecrets website. She also 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. In the past, Bethany has 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

What Are the Non-Medical Requirements for Disability?
There are two aspects to processing a disability claim: medical and financial/legal.
Filing Social Security Disability Forms
Here are the disability forms used to apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration.
I Don’t Have Insurance or Medication. Can I Still Get Disability?
People who can't work often can't pay for medicines or doctors.
Can I Get Financial Aid, Grants, or Scholarships on SSI or SSDI?
Learn which types of financial aid, scholarships, and grants will be ignored for purposes of SSI eligibility.
Washington State Maternity and Parental Leave Laws
If you work in Washington State and need time off work for pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting, you have the right to take paid leave.
Maternity and Parental Leave Laws in Massachusetts
If you work in Massachusetts, you have the right to pregnancy and parental leave under state and federal law.
Maternity and Parental Leave Laws in the District of Columbia (DC)
The District of Columbia Family and Medical Leave Act (DCFMLA) gives employees the right to time off work for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.
Connecticut Maternity and Paternity Leave Laws
Connecticut has a family and medical leave law that provides paid leave for employees who qualify.
Short-Term Disability, Paid Family Leave, and Pregnancy Leave Laws
Family leave laws (also known as maternity or paternity leave laws) allow employees to take time off from work to care for a new child.
Can You Get Social Security Disability Benefits for Pregnancy and Maternity Leave?
Although the Social Security disability program doesn't pay benefits for pregnancy, a handful of states do.