Melville, NY

Ettinger Law Firm was founded in 1991 and has multiple offices throughout New York State including three office locations in Suffolk County. Principal attorney Michael Ettinger's approach to estate planning includes a strong elder law component. Planning for potential disability, he believes, may be more essential than the equitable distribution of assets. New clients receive a combined elder law estate planning approach that is unique in today's world. As he often says, “in today's environment, planning for disability is more important than planning for death.”

Whether your focus is on preparing your legacy for after you die or finding a way to establish a living trust, Ettinger Law Firm can assist.

Your estate comprises everything you own, and estate planning is the best way to ensure every asset is accounted and planned for in the event of your death. It includes material items like homes and antiques, financial accounts like your bank account and any trusts or wills you may have established.

From the moment you create your plan until every wish on it has been followed, Ettinger Law Firm will champion its importance to your loved ones and the court, if necessary.

Medicaid is a critical part of many older adults' financial planning, especially as they consider long-term care expenses such as home care or living at a nursing home. You must meet and stay within certain eligibility requirements to continue qualifying for these critical services, and Ettinger Law Firm will make sure you understand and follow through as necessary.

A will is one of the most common ways people organize and distribute their assets following their death. Our legal team will walk you through the benefits of a will and other options available so you can make the right choice for your situation.

You can also distribute your assets through a trust establishment. Our attorneys can walk you through every type of trust and help you decide which ones will be in your best interest. We have experience working with:

• Living Trusts
• Special Needs Trusts
• Inheritance Protection Trusts
• Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts

We chose Suffolk County as one of our prime office locations because we love the area as much as you do. Many New Yorkers use the expression “out on the Island” when referring to Suffolk County, one of the most diverse regions in the state with its range in income, education and demographics. With a population of more than 8 million people, Long Island is the most populated island in any U.S. state or territory and it is also the longest and largest island in the contiguous United States.

A brief description of this Long Island County would not be complete without mention of the Poospatuck and Shinnecock Native Americans who have been a part of the population for thousands of years. Part of the Algonquin-speaking people, the tribe's land base is within the geographic boundaries of the Town of Southampton.

Suffolk County is part of the 10th Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System, and its Surrogate's Court hears cases for decedent affairs, will probate, estate administration, guardianships and adoptions.

When you need an estate planning lawyer in Suffolk County, Ettinger Law Firm is here to help. Every person has unique goals for their estate. We are ready to discover yours and create a customized agreement that establishes and secures a legacy you can be proud of. Connect with our professionals online or at 1-800-500-2525 to learn more about how we can address your specific situation.