Long Island Elder Law Attorneys
Lawyers who concentrate on legal issues that affect the elderly practice elder law. The primary purpose of elder law planning is to ensure seniors have financial freedom and autonomy through financial planning and the consideration of long term care options. Elder law attorneys are advocates for the elderly and their loved ones.
Like many things in life, Elder Law was born of a specific need and has now become a specific legal area as the average life span and number of senior citizens continues to grow. In fact, there were almost 48 million people over the age of 65 in the U.S. in 2015. Those numbers are estimated to grow to 98 million by 2060.
Aging tends to bring a number of issues to many, and while friends and family can be helpful, having an attorney in your corner who deals specifically in Elder Law and is cognizant of the many challenges faced by seniors, should be considered a wise investment.
Your New York Elder Law attorney can assist you with issues such as long-term care planning, retirement, Medicaid, and health care, as well as other equally important matters. An elder law attorney, by virtue of training, skills, knowledge, and experience, is simply better equipped to handle the financial and emotional needs of the elderly.
At Esther Schwartz Zelmanovitz, PLLC, you will receive insightful, experienced, dedicated counsel on elder law issues, with individualized attention given to each and every client. We craft your solutions carefully, based on your unique situation, using concrete legal strategies to not only help you solve real-life situations but also to give you peace of mind. Esther Schwartz Zelmanovitz, PLLC will ensure your custom legal plan comprehensively addresses your individual situation.
What Does Elder Law Cover?
Generally speaking, elder law covers four concerns which affect the elderly and disabled:
- How senior health issues can affect personal affairs
- Estate planning and estate administration
- Long term care issues, including how nursing home care, assisted living, or home health aides will be paid for, should the need arise
- Special needs planning
What Is Elder Law?
Elder law is the advice and education delivered to a paying client about legal devices and techniques that apply to elderly people, their families, and their caregivers. It is a more specialized area of estate planning and involves advice around wills and trusts, powers of attorney, qualification for state Medicaid services, and preservation of assets in the event that Medicaid is needed. Additionally, elder law attorneys frequently advise clients about Social Security income, Social Security Disability resources, and planning for in-home caregivers or admission to nursing home facilities.
A good elder law attorney will have experience advising clients in these above areas and will be familiar with local and state law which can be very specific and different from the laws of other states. For example, New York State Medicaid rules are quite different from Medicaid in Florida. If you or your family may be employing in-home caregivers, then some familiarity with employment law will also be required. Additionally, there are techniques in gifting and transferring assets to family members or to irrevocable trusts that can help protect family assets for the next generation.
Recommended reading: NYS Income and Resource Limits for Medicaid (2025)
When Do I Need an Elder Law Attorney?
Our Values, Your Peace of Mind The Principles That Define Our Firm
-
Compassionate, Relationship-Driven Service
We believe every client deserves to be treated with dignity, patience, and genuine care. Our firm fosters long-term relationships, guiding families with warmth and empathy through emotionally sensitive matters like elder care, estate planning, and loss.
-
Clear, Respectful Communication
We prioritize honest, prompt, and respectful communication. Whether answering questions or guiding you through complex decisions, we're responsive, dependable, and committed to making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
-
Serving with Integrity and Excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical practice and professional excellence. Clients can count on us not just for our legal knowledge, skill and experience, but for honesty, transparency, and unwavering advocacy on their behalf.
-
Tailored Legal Guidance for Every Client
No two clients are the same. We take the time to truly understand each client’s concerns, goals, and values, crafting customized legal solutions that reflect what matters most to them.
How Do I Choose the Best Elder Law Attorney for My Situation?
You’ll want to find an attorney that is knowledgeable, experienced, and with a good “bedside manner.” It’s important that the attorney have the training necessary to know about all the options available. The attorney should be continually learning their trade and participating with their peers to establish best practices for their practice area and region.
Fortunately, there are some ways that can also help you identify a reputable attorney. For general legal reputation, an attorney’s rating can indicate positive results from past clients, you can find these on Avvo, Google, and other sources online. Additionally, the state bar maintains any incident of professional discipline and this will let you know of any serious problems that the attorney has been involved in.
The Cost of Assisted Living or Nursing Home Care
No one ever wants to think about the possibility of having to live in a nursing home or an assisted living facility, yet more than half (52 percent) of those turning 65 will need some level of long-term care services during their lifetime. High net worth people will likely self-fund the costs of long-term care, while those without significant financial assets will rely on Medicaid to provide long-term care. In between these two groups are those with some financial assets, but likely not enough to fund long-term care outlay at the end of their lives. This group could find their available long-term care choices limited—and rather unappealing. Traditional, long-term care insurance could be purchased, although premium hikes are likely as we age.
This is likely due to better health care among the more affluent, as well as better nutrition. According to the New York Department of Health, the annual estimated average nursing home rate in 2023 was $169,632 on Long Island, and $169,704 in New York City. Home health care in the state of New York is also expensive, with the average cost in 2011 at $20 per hour; today the costs are even greater.
