In 2017 I became the first (and only) attorney based in the Mid-Hudson region to earn the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation, as accredited by the American Bar Association. Presently there are fewer than 40 CELA's in New York State, and only about 500 nationally.
Effective estate, business and asset protection planning can only occur when the client truly understands their goals and objectives. Only then can we engage in a discovery process that can turn the client's hopes and dreams a reality. Our counseling-based approach is designed to make sure that the plan design is client driven, rather than attorney driven. Our maintenance plan helps ensure that the client's plan stays up-to-date though the many legal and life changes that occur over a lifetime.
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Born in Middletown, N.Y., Richard Shapiro is Chair of Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone's Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law department. He has pioneered in the Hudson Valley the use of the “Legacy Assurance Program™,” a unique process that incorporates an annual maintenance program as an essential part of a client’s estate plan. Mr. Shapiro and his team work with local businesses to create effective “exit” plans as they navigate the complex financial and emotional issues that arise in managing and transferring closely-held business interests between and among the entity’s partners or shareholders. Mr. Shapiro also counsels high net worth clients in creating estate plans designed to not only minimize estate, gift and income tax liabilities, but also ensure that that their values are passed to future generations as part of a comprehensive “legacy” plan. A prolific public speaker and author, Mr. Shapiro's book "Secure Your Legacy: Estate Planning and Elder Law for Today's American Family" was published in April 2017 by Archway Publishing and is available in both paperback and e-book formate at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other booksellers.
A graduate of Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Mr. Shapiro is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Shapiro writes an estate planning column for the Senior Gazette and is a frequent lecturer on estate planning and elder law topics to the public as well as to accountants and financial professionals. He is actively involved in community affairs, and is presently on the Board of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council. He also served two terms as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Orange Regional Medical Center from 2006 through 2008, and he is a past president of the Middletown Bar Association and the Wallkill East Rotary Club
Practice areas
22 years, 750 cases
22 years, 750 cases
22 years, 300 cases
29 years, 400 cases
32 years, 300 cases
Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP
10 Matthews Street
Goshen, NY, 10924
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
DC | Inactive | 1989 | 10/14/2017 |
PA | Active | 1988 | 01/02/2021 |
NY | Currently registered | 1964 | 12/09/2020 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
AV Peer Review Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2017 |
Certified Elder Law Attorney | National Elder Law Foundation | 2017 |
Ho-Nun-De-Kah Honor Society | Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | 1984 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP | 2001 - Present |
Partner | Shapiro & Shapiro, LLP | 1991 - 2001 |
Associate | Porter Wright Morris & Arthur | 1990 - 1991 |
Associate Attorney | Crowell & Moring, LLP | 1988 - 1990 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
WealthCounsel | Member | 2011 - Present |
ElderCounsel | Member | 2008 - Present |
InKnowvision Advanced Estate Planning Institute | Member | 2006 - Present |
Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council | Director | 2005 - Present |
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Member | 2000 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Member | 2000 - Present |
---|---|---|
New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Law Section | Member | 1999 - Present |
Orange County Bar Association | Member | 1992 - Present |
Orange Regional Medical Center | Chairman of the Board | 2006 - 2008 |
National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys | Member | 1999 - 2011 |
Wallkill East Rotary Club | President | 1999 - 2000 |
Orange Regional Medical Center | Director | 1998 - 2011 |
Brittany Miller Foundation | President | 1996 - 1998 |
Middletown Bar Association | President | 1996 - 1997 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Archway Publishing | Secure Your Legacy: Estate Planning and Elder Law for Today's American Family | 2017 |
Inside the Minds: Strategies For Trusts and Estates In New York, 2013 Ed. | Chapter Contribution | 2013 |
Inside the Minds: Strategies For Trusts and Estates In New York, 2011 Ed. | Chapter contribution | 2011 |
The Complete Guide To Estate & Financial Planning in Turbulent Times | Various Chapters | 2010 |
New York State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Section Newsletter | The Sale of Assets to a "GDOT" -- An Essential Estate Planning Tool for Sizable Estates | 2009 |
The Elder Law Report | Estate Planning For Blended Families | 2008 |
---|---|---|
The Senior Gazette | The Estate Planning Advisor | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania Law School | Juris Doctor | 1988 |
Cornell University | Bachelor of Science | 1985 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
National Business Institute | Protecting Assets While Qualifying for Medicaid | 2014 |
White Plains, New York | Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques | 2012 |
Drafting Wills & Trusts In New York | Estate Planning | 2010 |
Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts | Estate Planning | 2010 |
Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques | Estate Planning | 2009 |
A Time To Plan -- Unparalleled Opportunities | Estate, Business and Financial Planning | 2009 |
---|---|---|
How to Draft Effective Wills and Trusts In New York | Estate Planning and Will Drafting | 2008 |
2008 Spring Collegium | Estate Planning For Blended Families | 2008 |
Resolving Legal and Financial Issues in Elder Law | Elder Law | 2007 |
Harrisburg Estate Planning Syposium | GDOTs/IDITs and the Sale of FLP Interests | 2006 |
How To Draft Effective Wills and Trusts in New York | Estate Planning and Will Drafting | 2005 |
Elder Law in New York: Legal and Financial Issues | Elder Law | 2005 |
Elder Law in New York: Legal and Financial Issues | Elder Law | 2004 |
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Pamela Hamilton, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 30, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. He is a well respected member of the legal community. He is also highly regarded by his clients and takes the time to add value to the Avvo community with clear understandable answers that demonstrate his legal expertise.
Peter Gilbert, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 6, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known Rich as a colleague in National organizations of Estate Planning attorneys, and have collaborated with him on cases that spand both of our states. Rich is a highly competent Estate Planning attorney and I do not hesitate to endorse him.
James Cupero, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 16, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Richard is beyond question the pre-eminent estate planning expert in the Mid-Hudson Valley. I wholeheartedly and without reservation recommend him should you need his services.
Karen Brady, Wills and living wills Attorney on Nov 9, 2009
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer's expertise. Richard and I have attended several conferences together, including those at which he has been a speaker or panel member. I have been impressed by Richard's thorough approach while always keeping the client's best interests at heart.
Marc Selden, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 25, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Richard since 2002. We have worked collaboratively on client matters and as educators on Estate Planning topics over the years. I have found Richard to be a very knowledgable in the Estate & Business Planning arena. He is completely committed to his craft. Richard is well versed in both High Net Worth Estate Planning and Medicaid Planning and has the unique ability to communicate the complex to his clients in an easily understandable way.
Gregory Bloshinsky, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 16, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly recommend Richard in all estate planning/elder law/administration matters. His quality of work and high level of service are outstanding.