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Christopher R. Bray

Medicaid and medicare Attorney at Ilion, NY

5.0   10 reviews
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  • Licensed for 17 years
    State NY
    Acquired 2006
    Status
    Currently Registered No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Elder Law and Medicaid Law
Patricia
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Medicaid, trust, will
Laverne
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
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About Christopher

Learn Christopher’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Medicaid and medicare
    40%
    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.

    17 years

  2. Probate
    25%
    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.

    17 years

  3. Elder law
    20%
    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.

    17 years

  4. Estate planning
    15%
    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.

    17 years

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 Past Chair of the section and a former District Delegate. 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 also seeved a term as a member of 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.

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Contact Christopher

Similar lawyers nearby

Rheinhardt and Bray, P.C.
85 Otsego St
Ilion, NY, 13357-1803
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Rheinhardt and Bray, P.C.
301 Black River Boulevard
Rome, NY, 13440
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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  10 customer reviews
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Posted by Patricia | September 26, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Elder Law and Medicaid Law
Mr. Bray was exceptional in providing our parents their legal rights with all considerations of Property, Medicaid, Final Arrangements. His and his staff’s guidance took a very large burden, that our parents did not prepare for, and allowed us the ability to ensure our parents received the best care and protection possible. I highly recommend Mr. Bray as his expertise in all aspects of Estate Planning , Elder Law and Medicaid law are Outstanding. His interaction with us at such a difficult time gave us peace of mind.
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Posted by Laverne | October 30, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Medicaid, trust, will
Chris provided sterling support when we came to him with the problem of medicaid and asset protection for me and my wife when she faced long term care. She passed away before that need arose but Chris had put protections in place. Following that he helped me with similar planning (will, trust) and follow up support. Highly recommend especially for Elder Care concerns.
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Posted by Sandra | April 4, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellence and Trust
From the first time I met Christopher, he was kind, knowledgeable, and very professional. Throughout this process of my mother-in-law in long term care, he advised me through this trying time. His very talented and knowledgeable staff was so understanding and compassionate, no matter how many questions I had. I could not had done this alone. Christopher and Christine are the meaning of excellence.
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Posted by Jennifer | January 26, 2018
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Excellent
I highly recommend Mr. Bray. My elderly father and I had a consultation that was informative and comprehensive, with out being overwhelming. We left the office feeling confident that we had the best plan for my dad's financial future.
Posted by Annette | March 16, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great Estate Planners
I cannot say enough about Chris. He was a great help to my father (and myself) with taking care of his estate. He always had time to talk to my father and treated him with utmost respect. He explained, in depth, all avenues that my father could go with the planning his estate. Chris, dealt with sensitive family issues and never faltered. Even after my father had passed away, he still guided and helped me with sibling issues that arose regarding my fathers estate. I will never be able express my gratitude for what Chris did for my dad. I know my dad trusted Chris and was thankful for his services. Professional, Respectful and Knowledgeable at its best.
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Posted by Amy | October 23, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Estate Planning Advice
My family recently engaged Chris to manage our estate planning. We were so impressed with his knowledge and understanding of what our options were. He was patient and always had time for us, making an overwhelming and complex subject, understandable. We so appreciate Chris's advice and counsel and wholeheartedly recommend him for anyone's estate planning needs.
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Posted by Scott | May 19, 2015
Medicaid Champion
We retained Chris to assist us with a Medicaid application and a subsequent civil litigation filed by a nursing home. Chis is not only extremely knowledgeable of NYS Medicaid law, he is a skillful litigator. He was successful in getting the Medicaid application approved AND having the lawsuit dismissed for lack of merit. I would strongly recommend Chris to anyone seeking help with Medicaid or nursing home issues.
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Posted by Thomas | May 18, 2015
Extreamly Helpful Estate Lawyer
My family was extremely pleased to have Chris as the attorney to assist with my mothers long term care and estate planing. We found Chris not only to be knowledgeable but most importantly worked with us with a high level of compassion ensuring our comfort and full understanding of the process. Making the absolute right decisions for our love ones can be a difficult undertaking, Chris was there for my family the entire way easing this task and to that I will be forever grateful. I highly recommend Chris to anyone needing his expertise.
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Posted by Ed | May 18, 2015
There when you need them
Outstanding results when we needed to get elder care help. He made the process of getting my mother situated in a nursing home very easy.
Posted by Victoria | May 15, 2015
Excellent Estate Lawyer
Finalizing matters of family estates can be very difficult as there are often multiple people and personalities to manage. Chris reviewed my case and was able to respond to the difficulties at hand quickly and with the knowledge that assured my family that we were in the right hands. He personally, along with his office, kept me informed along the way so we felt part of the process. I would highly recommend him.
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 375-375 per hour
  • Pro bono 5 %
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Town Attorney
  • Town of Herkimer
  • 2018 - Present
  • Town Attorney
  • Town of Litchfield
  • 2018 - Present
  • Partner
  • Rheinhardt and Bray, PC
  • 2006 - Present

Education

  • Albany Law School
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2005
  • Syracuse University
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 2000

Legal Cases

  • 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
View all legal cases

Associations

  • New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section
  • Past Chair
  • 2023 - 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
  • Ilion Community Club
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section
  • 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
  • Chair
  • 2022 - 2023
  • New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section
  • Chair-Elect
  • 2021 - 2022
  • 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
  • Attorney Grievance Committee - Fifth Judicial District
  • Member
  • 2017 - 2023
  • New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section
  • District Delegate
  • 2015 - 2018
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (New York chapter)
  • Board of Directors
  • 2015 - 2017
  • 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
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Clara Barton Volunteer Leadership Award
  • American Red Cross
  • 2014

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • 2021 Summer Meeting - Manchester, VT
  • Elder Law Case Update
  • 2021
  • Medicaid Lookback Rules and Planning - East Syracuse, NY
  • Asset Conversion from Non-Exempt to Exempt
  • 2018
  • Medicaid Lookback Rules and Planning - East Syracuse, NY
  • Lookback Period and Qualifying Asset Transfers Rule
  • 2018
  • Protecting Assets While Qualifying for Medicaid
  • Crisis Medicaid Planning and Assistance
  • 2015
  • NYS Ombudsman Program Training
  • Advanced Directives/Nursing Home Resident Situations
  • 2015
  • Mitchell Rabbino National Healthcare Decisions Act
  • Advanced Directives
  • 2015
  • Herkimer County Teachers Retirement Seminar
  • Estate Planning/Advanced Directives
  • 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
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (1)
Given (2)
Endorse Christopher
Jeffrey N. Rheinhardt headshot
Jeffrey Rheinhardt
Elder law Attorney | May 22
Relationship: Co-worker
"I endorse this lawyer."
Karl Erik Manne headshot
Karl Manne
Bankruptcy and debt
Jeffrey N. Rheinhardt headshot
Jeffrey Rheinhardt
Elder law

Avvo Contributions

This attorney hasn't created any legal answers in Q&A or legal guides recently on Avvo.

Ilion Medicaid and medicare Lawyer Christopher R. Bray
Christopher R. Bray
Medicaid and medicare Attorney
Ilion, NY
Licensed for 17 years
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