What does an Elder Law Attorney do? Well, we have a deep understanding of legal matters affecting older or disabled folks. We look at health care & long term care planning, guardianship, Medicare/Medicaid, and other important matters that impact your life. And we make sure the laws are working for you!
OUR SERVICES
Find out more about the special services we provide our clients
We Craft A Holistic Plan That Suits Your Needs!
Peruse this page to better understand the tools we use in Estate Planning.
Elder Law
What is Elder Law?
Estate Planning
What is Estate Planning?
Why do you need an Estate Planner? Estate planners anticipate and arrange your legal documents, manage a person’s estate during the person’s life, and at death make sure a person’s wishes are executed, while minimizing taxes and other legal issues that might impact your assets.
Special Needs
What is Special Needs?
What is Special Needs? Families with special needs children or adults must take certain steps in protecting loved ones. Whether your special needs child is a minor or considered an adult, receiving public benefits such as SSI or Medicaid takes careful preparation.
Testimonial
Our Dear Client Anthony Ciaccio . . .
In 2005 as a newly admitted attorney I experienced firsthand how important it is to have an experienced attorney draft your will and estate matters. My father suddenly died and his will, which was done by the local lawyer who did not know much, was not done correctly. As a result, most of my father’s wishes were not followed. Since I was now responsible for taking care of my grandparents, I sought out the best lawyer in the community. I asked judges and fellow attorneys who were the best lawyers to handle these issues. All said, David Okrent. As in most professions, the best do not need to advertise; finding David through the recommendation of judges and fellow attorneys proved this true.
David took care of both of my grandparents’ affairs, they were able to have dignity at the end of their life and I did not have to deal with the stress normally associated with the failing health of loved ones. David was always one-step ahead and he was able to protect their assets while ensuring they received proper care.
When I became a father, I promised myself that what happened to my father would never happen to me. Thanks to David, God forbid something happens to my wife and me I know my children will be protected because of the advice and planning David has done for us.
For full disclosure, I now consider David a friend, but after all, someone who treats your family like his own is a friend. I cannot endorse David enough; he will always be this lawyer’s lawyer and he should be yours as well.
WILLS
Whether you have children or not, you need a will, simple or complex.
HEALTHCARE PROXY
Healthcare emergencies are sudden, be prepared on arrival.
MOLST
If you don’t know about MOLSTs, maybe you should?
Business Succession
When there is a transfer of real estate we take care of everything!
TRUSTS
Take care of family who can not make their own decisions.
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Have good and current powers-of-attorney, your assets are safe.
SPECIAL NEEDS
No shame in disabilities, we will point you in the right direction.
Real Estate
From deeds to LLCs, we take care of the formation of entities.
Our Clients Explain It Best
George Lucas explains the need for a professional Elder Law Attorney
Recently, my wife and I needed the assistance of an elder care attorney for some estate planning we were looking to accomplish. We had used David Okrent’s office before, needing a Medicaid application for an elderly parent. After seeing the complexities of nursing home care and how compassionate and competently it was taken care of by David’s office, we knew exactly where to go.
We reached out to David’s office and after some discussions on what it was we wanted to accomplish we set up a preliminary appointment. We live in Eastern Suffolk county and would have to travel to meet with him. He suggested that we meet at one of his satellite offices, near our home, which immediately made me feel very comfortable that he cared about our time. We had a lengthy discussion of our needs and financial concerns for the future. David arranged for the appropriate documents to be prepared in draft to be reviewed by my wife and I. After the drafting process was completed Mr. Okrent arranged for a meeting in his Dix Hills office to have the final documents signed and notarized.
We were extremely happy with the end results and the professionalism of David and his staff in the completion of our needs. We would never hesitate to use him again or recommend his services to other family and friends.
Coincidentally, I was recently informed another member of our family has already engaged his services. Thank you David and your staff for your assistance, you made a difficult time in our lives painless and uncomplicated.
Majority in U.S. Do Not Have a Will
Based on a Gallup Poll from May of 2016 by Jeffery M. Jones
PRINCETON, N.J. — Forty-four percent of Americans say they have a will that describes how they would like their money and estate handled after their death. That is lower than in two prior Gallup polls: 51% in 2005 and 48% in 1990.
The issue of wills has been a topic in the news after the untimely death of the musician Prince. His sister filed court papers asserting he did not have a will, and so far, nobody has produced one. While most Americans are not as wealthy as Prince, his not having a will appears to be common in the U.S.
Lawyers and financial advisors recommend people write wills to ensure their wishes for transferring their property and assets are followed and to avoid protracted legal proceedings over the distribution of those assets.
The results are based on a May 4-8 Gallup poll, conducted two weeks after Prince’s death. While it is unknown whether major news events that touch on the wishes of the dead or dying can influence Americans’ self-reports of having a will, the higher 2005 estimate came in a poll conducted shortly after the Terri Schiavo saga.