When faced with how to begin his career, Chris decided to return to his hometown community and serve the families that supported him as a child. Since he began the practice of law in 2006 as an Associate Attorney with the firm’s predecessor, Radley & Rheinhardt, Chris worked hard to build the practice into the area’s premier Elder Law and Estate Planning firm. Now a Partner at Rheinhardt and Bray, P.C., Chris handles all aspects of what has become known as “Elder Law” including Crisis Medicaid & Long term Care Planning, Estate Planning, Guardianships and Estate Administration, including Estate Litigation.
Chris is a member of the NY State Bar Association, Elder Law & Special Needs Section where he is a former District Delegate, Treasurer and Secretary and was recently elected Vice Chair of the Section. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and served on the Board of Directors for the NY Chapter. Chris is Past President of the Herkimer County Bar Association and has served as Treasurer since 2015. He is a member of the Oneida County Bar Association as well as the City of Rome Bar Association. Chris has also received an appointment to serve on the Attorney Grievance Committee for the 5th Judicial District.
Chris is a regular speaker and presenter on the topic of Elder Law throughout the Mohawk Valley, speaking to community organizations, professional associations and fellow attorneys as a part of the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program.
When not in the office, Chris can usually be found coaching one of his children, whether it be on the sideline of the soccer field or the basketball court or in the dugout at the softball field.
Practice areas
Medicaid and Medicare, as well as other public benefits programs, are really a subset of Elder Law. We assist clients with planning for & achieving eligibility for benefits, preparing & filing applications, and appealing unwarranted denials.
16 years
Those duties of an Executor in administering the estate of a loved one can seem overwhelming. We take on & treat these responsibilities as our own so that our clients enjoy a stress free & successful administration.
16 years
Elder Law is about helping people identify & achieve their unique goals for aging and taking care of their family & loved ones. We help clients obtain & preserve resources, both monetary and human; and create & implement a plan for successful aging.
16 years
Our goal is to help clients define & implement their planning goals, by identifying & avoiding or reducing problems & threats. Every family is unique, good planning ensures that special concerns are addressed so the plan accomplishes the desired end.
16 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NY | Currently registered | 2006 | 02/24/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Award | American Red Cross | 2014 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Town Attorney | Town of Herkimer | 2018 - Present |
Town Attorney | Town of Litchfield | 2018 - Present |
Partner | The Bray Law Group PC | 2012 - Present |
Partner | Rheinhardt and Bray, PC | 2006 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Chair-Elect | 2021 - Present |
Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce | Board of Directors | 2015 - Present |
Herkimer County Bar Association | Treasurer | 2015 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (New York chapter) | Member | 2013 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Member | 2012 - Present |
New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Law Section | Member | 2011 - Present |
City of Rome Bar Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
Oneida County Bar Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
Rome Area Chamber of Commerce | Member | 2011 - Present |
Peacemaker Program, Inc. | Volunteer | 2011 - Present |
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Member | 2010 - Present |
Ilion Community Club | Member | 2010 - Present |
New York State Bar Association | Member | 2006 - Present |
Herkimer County Bar Association | Member | 2006 - Present |
Ilion AYSO | Volunteer Coach | 2005 - Present |
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Vice Chair | 2020 - 2021 |
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Secretary | 2019 - 2020 |
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Treasurer | 2018 - 2019 |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (New York chapter) | Board of Directors | 2015 - 2017 |
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section | District Delegate | 2015 - 2018 |
Herkimer Area Resource Center | Board of Directors | 2014 - 2018 |
American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley | Chairman | 2012 - 2014 |
Herkimer County Bar Association | President | 2012 - 2014 |
American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley | Board of Directors | 2007 - 2014 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Herkimer Telegram | Herkimer ARC's Annual Meeting Celebrates Accomplishments | 2014 |
Elder Law eNews | A Production of the Elder Law Section Communications Committee | 2010 |
Lee Publications - County Folks | Legal Aspects of Farm Transfer and Estate Planning | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Albany Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 2005 |
Syracuse University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2000 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
2021 Summer Meeting - Manchester, VT | Elder Law Case Update | 2021 |
Medicaid Lookback Rules and Planning - East Syracuse, NY | Lookback Period and Qualifying Asset Transfers Rule | 2018 |
Medicaid Lookback Rules and Planning - East Syracuse, NY | Asset Conversion from Non-Exempt to Exempt | 2018 |
Estate Administration from Start to Finish | Commencement of Proceedings and Information Gathering | 2017 |
NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section Fall Meeting | Program Co-Chair | 2016 |
Mitchell Rabbino National Healthcare Decisions Act | Advanced Directives | 2015 |
NYS Ombudsman Program Training | Advanced Directives/Nursing Home Resident Situations | 2015 |
Herkimer County Teachers Retirement Seminar | Estate Planning/Advanced Directives | 2015 |
Protecting Assets While Qualifying for Medicaid | Crisis Medicaid Planning and Assistance | 2015 |
Denny's In Rome, Holiday Inn in Utica, and Denny's in Rome | Estate Planning Straight Talk | 2015 |
Mitchell Rabbino National Healthcare Decisions Day | Advanced Directives | 2014 |
Disability Planning | The Basics of Special Needs Planning | 2014 |
Protecting Assets While Qualifying for Medicaid | Crisis Medicaid Planning and Assistance | 2013 |
Estate Trust and Elder Law Update | Elder Law Case Update | 2013 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Matter of TH, Fair Hearing No. 7742418J | Successful in obtaining increase in Community Spouse Resource Allowance and amending the date of eligibility to June 1 resulting in a refund of amounts paid by CS for the months of June, July and August |
Matter of RV, FH#7378581Z | Finding that uncompensated transfers made by Applicant were made for a purpose other than to qualify for Medicaid and must be disregarded; DSS penalty period of 2.34 months reduced to zero months |
Matter of PL, FH#7020792Q | Finding that uncompensated transfers made by Applicant were made for a purpose other than to qualify for Medicaid and must be disregarded; DSS penalty period of 5.587 months reduced to zero months |
Matter of AO, FH#6799465J | Reversed DSS position to count homestead as an available resource; reduction of assessed penalty period from 8.65 months to 2.9 months |
Matter of AS, FH#5515265P | DSS determination reversed, penalty period eliminated |
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