Donald D Vanarelli

PRO

Donald D Vanarelli

4.6
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 42 years

Elder law Lawyer at Westfield, NJ
Practice Areas: Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianship ... +11 more

242 St. Paul Street, Westfield, NJ

About Donald

Biography

Practice Areas

14

Practice Areas

Other 9%

9%
Alimony 7%

7%
Appeals 7%

7%
Elder Law 7%

The Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli devotes a significant portion of its practice to the field of Elder Law, a legal a legal specialty focusing on the special needs and legal problems of the elderly, the disabled and their families.

7%
Estate Planning 7%

Estate Planning is important, no matter what the size of your estate may be. Through proper estate planning, you ensure that your assets will go to your intended beneficiaries, prevent squabbling among your heirs and financial confusion after death.

7%
Family 7%

7%
Guardianship 7%

The law firm represents family members and others in legal proceedings for the appointment of a guardian for an incapacitated person.

7%
Health Care 7%

7%
Litigation 7%

The litigation attorneys with the Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli bring the requisite experience and knowledge to a wide range of probate litigation, including will contests, estate challenges and contested guardianship lawsuits.

7%
Mediation 7%

7%
Medicaid and Medicare 7%

7%
Probate 7%

7%
Social Security & Disability 7%

7%
Trusts 7%

7%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in New York for 42 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1984

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Licensed in New Jersey for 42 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 1983

Active

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli

242 St. Paul Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090

VanarelliLaw.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Donald online.

Donald D Vanarelli's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

9 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (9) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Professionalism

Posted by Gail | September 28, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Experienced, Smart, and Compassionate Attorney

We hired Mr. Vanarelli to plan our mother's estate and later to prepare her Medicaid application. Because his office executed both of these tasks so expertly and with such respect and kindness, we were all put at ease and many family resources were secured. Mr. Vanarelli and the staff in his office w...ere all topnotch, and extremely thorough. They responded quickly to questions and kept us informed throughout the lengthy and complicated Medicaid application process, which ultimately resulted in an approval. Our experience was completely satisfying, and we wouldn't hesitate to hire him again if the need ever arises.

Posted by Loretta | June 19, 2013 | Medicaid & Medicare

Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. - Extraordinary Attorney

I had two occasions where I hired Mr. Vanarelli. The first was to file a Medicaid application for a family member. This situation came upon us quite suddenly and we felt very helpless. Mr. Vanarelli is very knowledgeable in the process of filing a Medicaid application. The staff at Mr. Vanarelli'...s office is also very knowledgeable and very helpful. Filing a Medicaid application is very complicated and time consuming. Mr. Vanarelli and his staff were able to file the application on time and my family member was approved for Medicaid immediately. The second occasion was a real estate matter. Mr. Vanarelli handled the sale of my home and the purchase of a condo. Again, Mr. Vanarelli and his staff handled our matter professionally and we were very pleased with the outcome. I would recommend Mr. Vanarelli with no hesitation and I think he is very trustworthy and knowledgeable.

Posted by Cheryl | April 05, 2013 | Medicaid & Medicare

Satisfied clients...

Mr.Vanarelli and his staff were very professional and knowledgeable of the Medicaid application process. Our situation was a bit complex and we were very pleased with his ability to assess the issues at hand and develop a solution that worked for everyone concerned. I would not advise that anyone a...ttempt a Medicaid application on their own as it can be quite overwhelming to say the least. Enlistment of a professional is money very well spent and I would definitely recommend Mr. Vanarelli for this purpose.

Posted by Frances | February 21, 2013 | Estate Planning

High recommendations for the law office of Donald D Vanarelli

The attorneys at the law office of Donald D. Vanarelli helped me with many legal issues when my husband was in a long term acute hospital, such as asset protection planning, living wills and Powers of attorney. They came to the hospital so my husband could sign the legal documents and they treated ...him with respect and compassion and made what could have been a stressful situation, a very pleasant one for him. I am so thankful for that. When he passed way, they administered the estate for me. It was such an upsetting time for me, but their help eased the stress for me.

See All Client Reviews

Donald D Vanarelli's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Donald
Christina Samayoa Vanarelli headshot
Christina Vanarelli

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Family member

"Cares about his clients and does his very best every time ... has argued brilliantly in front of NJ supreme court...what a treat to watch!"

Brad Michael Micklin headshot
Brad Micklin

Elder law lawyer | Jun 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Donald Vanarelli is an experienced attorney whose participation and comments in Avvo show his commitment to serving clients as well as his level of experience. He is an excellent attorney that I recommend wholeheartedly."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Joseph C Noto headshot
Joseph Noto

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I known Don for quite a few years and he is an excellent mediator as well as an elder law attorney. We trained together for mediation and I would recommend him to people seeking a mediation or elder iaw advice."

Kathryn Ann Gilbert headshot
Kathryn Gilbert

Elder law lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Don is very knowledgeable and hardworking. I turn to him with all of my elderly clients needs. I highly recommend him."

Thomas Devlin Begley III headshot
Thomas Begley

Elder law lawyer | May 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Don Vanarelli is one of the foremost elder law attorneys in the State of New Jersey. He is a tireless advocate for the elderly and disabled. His knowledge is superseded solely by his compassion for others. I would recommend Don to any prospective client."

Andrew John Economos headshot
Andrew Economos

Family lawyer | Jun 09

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I found Donald to be very reasonable and professional. It is clear that his clients' best interests are his paramount concern."

Michael P Hrycak Esq. headshot
Michael Hrycak

Elder law lawyer | May 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. He has been very informative, helpful and is responsive to clients and fellow attorneys. I have relied upon his advice and counsel in the areas of elder law and Surrogate Court practice, in both New Jersey and New York. I refer clients to Mr. Vanaerilli and his associates."

View All Endorsements
Kathryn Ann Gilbert headshot
Kathryn Gilbert

Divorce and separation lawyer

Andrew John Economos headshot
Andrew Economos

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Marilyn Askin Lifetime Achievement Award, New Jersey State Bar Association’s Elder and Disability Law Section

2015

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2014

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2013

Namd to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2012

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2011

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2010

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2009

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer "List

2008

Accredited Veterans Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs

2008

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2008

Recognized as one of the top 25 mediators in NJ, NJBIZ magazine

2007

Named to, New Jersey "Super Lawyer" List

2004

Member, Council of Advanced Practitioners (invitation only)., National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

2004

Lead Counsel, In re Keri, 181 N.J. 50 (2004), a landmark NJ Supreme Court guardianship / elder law case.

2000

"AV" Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

1998

Certified Elder Law Attorney, National Elder Law Foundation

1997

National Certified Guardian, Center for Guardianship Certification

1987

Accredited Professional Mediator, New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators

N/A

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

1996 - Present

Co-Founder, Elder Mediation Center of New Jersey

1992 - Present

Owner, Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli

1900 - Present

Principal, Vanarelli & Li LLC

1983 - 1984

Law Clerk, Superior Court of New Jersey

1982 - 1983

Internship, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Judicial Circuit

1981 - 1982

Internship, Securities and Exchange Commission

1980 - 1981

Summer Associate, Schering-Plough Corporation

1974 - 1980

Social Insurance Representative, Social Security Administration

1972 - 1974

Volunteer, Peace Corps

Associations

2010 - Present

New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators

Director

2008 - Present

New Jersey Collaborative Law Group

Co-Founder

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (New Jersey chapter)

Past Secretary

Somerset County Bar Association, Elder Law Committee

Past Chairman

Union County Bar Association, Elder Law Committee

Member

National Guardianship Association

Member

Academy of Special Needs Planners.

Founding Member

New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance

Insurance Producer, Certified in Long Term Care.

Superior Court, Union County, Chancery Division

Union County Probate Early Settlement Panelist.

National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives

Member

National Organization of Veterans Advocates

Member

2010 - 2011

New Jersey State Bar Association, Elder and Disability Law Section

Chair

Sample of Legal Cases

Saccone v. Police and Firemen’s Retirement System, Docket No. A-49-071841 (September 11, 2014)

Ruling in favor of plaintiff, reversing contrary decisions by lower courts and administrative agencies

Galletta v. Velez, Civil No. 13-532 (D.N.J. June 3, 2014),

In favor of plaintiff, reversing a denial of an application for Medicaid benefits

In the Matter of the Trusts to be Established in the Matter of the Estate of Margaret A. Flood, Deceased

Application Granted.

G.L. v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services and Middlesex County Board of Social Services

Denial of Eligibility for Medicaid Reversed

In re Keri

Per Curiam decision in favor of plaintiff

E.F. v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services and the Union County Board of Social Services

Reversed denial of eligibility for Medicaid

See More Legal Cases

Education

2007

Elder Decisions, A Division of Agreement Resources, LLC

Certificate

2007

Jersey Shore Collaborative Law Group

Certificate

2004

Institute for Dispute Resolution of New Jersey

Certificate

1989

Somerset - Middlesex Inn of Court

Certificate

1987

University of Virginia School of Law Institute of Trial Advocacy

Certificate

1983

Rutgers University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1972

Montclair State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

California State University, Chico

Montclair - Chico Domestic Exchange Program

Speaking Engagements

2009

New Jersey State Bar Association Annual Meeting Ethical Issues Involved In Representing Clients With Diminished Capacity

2008

Advanced Elder Law Institute Financial Exploitation of the Elderly

Publications

2009

2009

Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli Blog Intentionally Omitting Children From Your Will

2009

2009

November 2009 NAELA Conference Materials Post-Incapacity Planning Through Guardianship

2009

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Post-Guardianship Public Benefits Planning

2008

New Jersey Lawyer Elder Mediation

Languages

Mandarin

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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