Long Island Elder Law & Special Needs Planning Lawyer

Trusted Long Island Elder Law & Special Needs Planning Attorney

Planning for the future can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of how to meet your needs. A Long Island elder law & special needs planning lawyer can help you create plans that address Medicaid eligibility, special needs trusts, long-term care planning, and more.

Understanding Elder Law and Special Needs Planning

Elder law focuses on legal issues that affect older adults and their loved ones. These can involve, incapacity planning, asset protection, and long-term care planning, among many others. Special needs planning addresses the legal and financial needs of individuals with disabilities. This can help preserve eligibility for government benefits and create resources that improve the individual’s quality of life.   

Common Services for Elder Law

As of 2023, there were over 3.54 million New York City residents over the age of 65. Because every family situation is different, working with an experienced Long Island elder law & special needs planning attorney can be beneficial. Weiss Zarett Brofman Sonnenklar & Levy, P.C., helps clients evaluate personal goals, financial circumstances, and long term care planning concerns.

Some of the common services we provide within elder law include:

• Medicaid Planning: Long-term care expenses can significantly impact retirement savings and other assets. Our team can help you develop strategies that protect what you’ve worked hard for in the event that you need Medicaid benefits to cover long term care expenses.
  
  In 2021, there were approximately 100,000-110,000 New York residents living in nursing care facilities, including Long Island’s Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Allegria Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
• Powers of Attorney: A power of attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your financial and legal affairs if it becomes necessary. Not planning for these circumstances can lead to delays and legal proceedings if you become incapacitated.
• Healthcare Proxies and Advance Directives: These documents can help you communicate your preferences for medical treatment when you’re unable to make decisions for yourself. They also give you the chance to appoint someone else to make decisions on your behalf.
• Guardianship Proceedings: When an adult can no longer manage their personal or financial matters on their own, guardianship proceedings may be necessary. 
• Estate Planning: Estate planning for seniors can involve creating a will, a revocable or irrevocable trust, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and other asset protection strategies.

Common Services for Special Needs Planning

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, around 70 million U.S. adults live with disabilities. If you’re caring for a loved one with disabilities, you may have additional concerns far beyond simple estate planning. You want to provide continued care for your loved one after your passing, and that requires advanced planning strategies.

Some of the special needs services we provide at Weiss Zarett Brofman Sonnenklar & Levy, P.C., include:

• Special needs trusts. A special needs trust may allow assets to be used for the benefit of a person with disabilities without disqualifying that individual from certain public benefits programs. Special needs trusts can be funded by a parent, grandparent, other relatives, legal settlements, inheritances, and the beneficiary’s own assets.
• Government benefits planning. Many individuals with disabilities rely on programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income, in addition to other benefit programs. Eligibility requirements can be complex, so careful planning can help a family avoid unintended consequences.
• Future care planning. You may worry about who will take care of your child with disabilities once you’re no longer able to care for them yourself. Future care planning may include caregiver succession plans, trust administration, guardianship considerations, and financial planning coordination.
• Benefit preservation strategies. An inheritance or other financial gift can affect eligibility for certain assets. An attorney can help you develop strategies that preserve public benefits while still providing supplemental support.

Why Hire an Elder Law & Special Needs Planning Lawyer?

With decades of experience in estate planning and healthcare law, Weiss Zarett Brofman Sonnenklar & Levy, P.C., is committed to client-focused care and communication. Clients work directly with their attorney to find solutions that fit their specific needs. Located in New Hyde Park, our firm serves clients throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the surrounding communities.

FAQs

How Much Does an Elder Law Lawyer Cost?

How much it costs to hire an elder law & special needs planning lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the services you need, and what types of planning tools are necessary. A simple document review generally costs much less than planning a comprehensive trust or guardianship plan. The costs can be well worth the investment to avoid delays, protect assets and heirs, and address planning concerns.

When Should You Hire an Elder Law Attorney?

It’s important to hire an elder law attorney early so you have legal options. Many people wait until there is an emergency to seek legal help, but the pressure of that can leave you stressed and with fewer options for moving forward. Consult a Long Island elder law & special needs planning lawyer to create retirement plans, powers of attorney, estate plans, and lay out other long-term care needs.

What Are the Biggest Elder Law Mistakes?

Some of the biggest elder law mistakes are postponing planning until there is a crisis, failing to create advance directives, and neglecting to update estate planning documents when there is a change in your circumstances. Elder law planning requires regular review and professional guidance to help families identify concerns and adapt their planning to their specific circumstances, state laws, and their anticipated needs.

What Questions Should You Ask an Elder Law Attorney?

Some questions to ask an elder law attorney include inquiring about their experience with cases similar to yours, matters surrounding state Medicaid, and long-term care planning. You may also want to ask about guardianships and special needs trusts if they apply to your situation. It’s a good idea to talk with your attorney about anticipated timelines, how they prefer to communicate with clients, and what outcomes they expect in your case.

Contact Weiss Zarett Brofman Sonnenklar & Levy, P.C. Today

When you’re ready to plan for you or your loved one’s future, contact Weiss Zarett Brofman Sonnenklar & Levy, P.C., to schedule your initial consultation and discuss your rights and options.