Needed a trust for elderly mother-in-law. She had NY partnership total asset long term care policy. Spoke with a dozen elder attorney's before finding Jeff. None of them had any idea what I was talking about. Some offered to look it up. NELF listing showed Jeff was CELA certifide so I called. He was able to explain every detail off the top of his head. He made several suggestions for the trust and completed the job exactly the way we asked for. He has my strongest recommendation.
I highly recommend Jeff. He is so well informed on everything you will need to know and walks you through the whole process. I always felt like our planning was of the utmost importance and he always kept us fully informed of every detail!
Elder Law is about helping people identify and 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 and implement a plan for successful aging. We assist people with preserving their own assets and obtaining and maximizing public benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and VA benefits.
Medicaid and Medicare, as well as other public benefits programs, are really a subset of Elder Law. We assist clients with planning for and achieving eligibility for benefits, preparing and filing applications, and appealing unwarranted denials or limitations of benefits.
Our goal is to help clients define and implement their planning goals, by identifying and avoiding or reducing problems and threats. Does the plan preserve family harmony? Has the couple addressed issues that can arise in blended families? Are there special needs beneficiaries? Should the client avoid probate by having a trust instead of a will? Are there income and estate tax liabilities? A good plan ensures that our beneficiaries receive what we want them to receive.
Executors are responsible for identifying & collecting assets, paying taxes & administration expenses, assessing & paying claims, & making timely distribution to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the Will or Trust. They must account to Court, tax authorities, creditors & beneficiaries. Those duties can seem overwhelming. We take on & treat these responsibilities as our own so that our clients enjoy a stress free & successful administration.
Jeff has over 35 years of experience as an attorney and is the senior partner at Rheinhardt & Bray, PC. He is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA)* through the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF) and is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Jeff also a former delegate to the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. He is a member of the Herkimer and Oneida County Bar Associations and a frequent seminar presenter and contributor to local publications on issues affecting seniors and the disabled.
*Certified Elder Law Attorney by National Elder Law Foundation. The National Elder Law Foundation is not affiliated with any governmental authority. Certification is not a requirement for the practice of law and does not necessarily indicate greater competence than other attorneys experienced in this field of law.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Most knowledgeable attorney
Needed a trust for elderly mother-in-law. She had NY partnership total asset long term care policy. Spoke with a dozen elder attorney's before finding Jeff. None of them had any idea what I was talking about. Some offered to look it up. NELF listing showed Jeff was CELA certifide so I called. He was able to explain every detail off the top of his head. He made several suggestions for the trust and completed the job exactly the way we asked for. He has my strongest recommendation.
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Posted by anonymous | February 10, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Incredibly Caring & Helpful
I highly recommend Jeff. He is so well informed on everything you will need to know and walks you through the whole process. I always felt like our planning was of the utmost importance and he always kept us fully informed of every detail!
Posted by anonymous | April 28, 2015
Outstanding, professional, caring and compassionate Elder Law attorney
Jeff had been my parents’ attorney for a number of years. After my father passed away Jeff assisted my mother in setting up my sibling as a POA. After my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and unable to live alone she moved to an Alzheimer’s Assisted Living facility.
I reached out to Jeff for assistance when it became clear that my sibling was misusing the POA and planned to move my mother out of the facility where she was safe and cared well for. Jeff took time on a Saturday to visit my mom at the Assisted Living facility to determine if she was coherent enough to revoke my sibling’s POA. That afternoon he spent another hour of his Saturday discussing the option of guardianship with me as a means to protect my mother and her assets from the actions of my sibling. As Jeff discussed how to proceed it became very clear to me that Jeff’s main interest was that my mother was cared for properly and that her money was used to provide for her care.
I petitioned for guardianship of person and Jeff agreed to be guardian of property. I know this was not something Jeff planned to do but I felt it was very important that a respected, neutral party hold that role. This again shows Jeff’s commitment to ensuring the needs of the elderly, especially those that cannot make decisions or care for themselves, are met.
Throughout the guardianship proceedings, the guardianship itself and on to the settlement of the estate my sibling berated Jeff and his team. Throughout all of it Jeff remained focused on the goal of ensuring my mother was cared for in the best way possible and ensuring that the wishes of my parents were met. Thankfully my parents selected Jeff as their attorney.
I cannot begin to express how much I appreciate the guidance, support and assistance Jeff provided me. I have learned so much from him, especially as it relates to how to ensure older people are cared for properly. I would recommend Jeff to anyone looking for the best eldercare attorney. If you hire Jeff you can count on the fact that he will be looking out for your, and/or your loved ones, best interest.
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Cost
Rates
Hourly Rates
$ 240-240 per hour
Pro bono
5 %
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check
Resume
AVVO RATING
8.0
(Excellent)
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