New City, NY

Ettinger Law Firm, located at 345 N. Main Street in New City, works to keep its Rockland County clients' assets out of Surrogate Court. With over thirty years experience, attorney Michael Ettinger keeps close watch on the newest developments in estate law legislation. He employs innovative methods of estate planning, including the creative utilization of various trusts that may minimize tax liabilities on inheritances.

The Revocable Living Trust and the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust are two of the more popular trusts used today to help protect the present and future value of assets. If you or a loved one is approaching admittance into a full time long-term care facility, a MAPT may be an instrumental tool to assist in protecting your family's assets from these costs.

Rockland County is the smallest county in New York outside of New York City, and it is bordered by five other counties. It is a very wealthy area of the state, with the median income for a family of more than $110,000 per year. The aging population here makes up 16% of all area residents — a number that has continued to grow over the past few years. That is why we chose to bring our services here, where they're needed.

The 9th Judicial District Surrogate's Court is located on 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in White Plains. The judge of this court presides over the administration of a deceased person's estate in Rockland County, overseeing the proceedings in order to ensure that the assets are managed and distributed in accordance with New York State law and/or the decedent's wishes. The Court's website, however, states, “If the estate consists of only assets which are jointly held with another or assets that have named beneficiaries, then you may not have to do any proceeding in Surrogate Court.”

Ettinger Law Firm employs a team of dedicated professionals who maintain and update our clients' estate plans through our trademarked system, The Lifetime Estate Planning Process. The attorneys and paralegals at our New City Office bring experience in these areas and more to every client meeting.

Planning your estate involves compiling everything you own and deciding what should be done with it following your death. Planning in advance with our estate lawyers near you gives you time to consider what you want to happen to everything from your money to your most treasured possessions. We will pursue every financial strategy, including establishing a will or trusts, to ensure your wishes are legally binding.

Medicaid makes essential services like home healthcare aides and long-term care facilities more affordable for qualified applicants. Ettinger Law Firm understands the unique challenges of applying and staying eligible for Medicaid and will help you understand what you can and cannot do while using this service.

A will is one of the most common legal agreements people use to distribute assets to family, friends, charities and others upon their death. Our attorneys are prepared to make your will based on your precise needs and goals for your legacy.

Trusts are often recommended for older adults. Trusts provide for incapacity such as in a revocable living trust and Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, eliminate the expense and delay of court probate proceedings upon death and can protect your assets for the costs of long-term care.

We can also assist you in establishing trusts like:

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

Since 1991, Ettinger Law Firm has worked with older adults in New York looking to protect their legacy. Our asset protection strategies have helped countless people and their loved ones feel secure in their future and confident that their wishes will be followed. Learn more about how we can assist you when you contact us online or at 1-800-500-2525 and request a no-cost consultation.