Top Estate Planning Lawyers Near Me in Garden City Area

We assist clients with purchasing, selling and leasing real estate.. We guide clients to protect their family and finances through estate planning.. We help clients with various immigration matters, such as removal defense, green cards, work permits, etc.. We represent landlords and tenants in housing eviction matters.

VINCENT J. RUSSO, Managing Shareholder of Russo Law Group, P.C., Long Island’s Signature Elder Law, Special Needs and Estate Planning Law Firm with offices in Garden City, Islandia, Lido Beach and Manhattan, New York has championed the rights of seniors and people with special needs since is a Founding Member, Fellow and Fifth President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and is a Founding Member and First President of the New York Chapter of NAELA. He is the only NAELA member to receive the prestigious President’s Award twice. He is also a member of the invitation only, NAELA Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP). He is a Founding and current Chair of the NAELA Foundation (NELF) and the current Chair of the NELF Programs Committee. Vincent is a Founding Member and Past Chair of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) and Co-Founder and Past Chair of the Board of ElderCounsel, is also a Member of the NYSBA Advocacy Committee on the Medicaid Budget. He is a Co-Founder of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), Past Board Member and current President of the Guardianship Corporation of United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County and a Co-Founder of Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation for children with special needs.. Vincent is the Founding Chair and current member of the Legal Advisory Committee of the Alzheimer’s Association Long Island Chapter and a former Board Member of the Arthritis Foundation Long Island Chapter and United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County.. His professional achievements include an invitation to join the WHITE HOUSE 2005 Conference on Aging as an at-large delegate. This invitation followed two other major events in Washington, D.C. as a representative of NAELA: (1) Testimony before the UNITED STATES SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGING on the proposed, detrimental changes in the Medicaid Program and (2) Featured Speaker at the Policy Forum of the CATO INSTITUTE on the subject of “Medicaid and the Long Term Care Crisis.”. Joining a special group of New York attorneys, Mr. Russo is Co-Chair of the New York State COMPACT Working Group, introducing new and innovative long term care program which is being considered by the New York State Legislative.. As a national advocate for people with disabilities, seniors and their families, Mr. Russo has appeared on the NBC’s TODAY SHOW, WNBC NEWS, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CNN, NEW YORK TIME FORUM, CNBC, the FOX NEWS NETWORK, CSPAN II, WCBSRADIO, TELECARE, NEWS 12 LONG ISLAND, as well as numerous, other local radio and television programs. He created and co-hosts Family Comes First on cable TV, which won two Telly Awards, one for the Alzheimer’s Impact on Family, The Henley Family Story and another for Military Moms.. His press interviews include The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, the New York Daily News, the Washington Post, and Newsday. His articles have been published in the New York State Bar Journal, The Elder Law Report, Nassau Lawyer, Trust and Estate, National Underwriter and the NAELA Quarterly. His 1993 cover story in Financial Planning – The Official Magazine of the International Association of Financial Planning – was well received by a whole new audience of professionals serving seniors. Since that lead article, Mr. Russo has written for a host of other professional organizations and has co-authored, New York Elder Law and Special Needs Practice and two consumer books on Estate Planning and Elder Law.. Mr. Russo is a nationally recognized speaker and noted authority on Elder Law, Special Needs and Estate Planning. His distinction in Elder Law, Special Needs and Estate Planning has made him one of the most prominent attorneys in his field.. Mr. Russo earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law and his LLM in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. He is admitted to the New York, Massachusetts and Florida State Bars, and is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Thomas R. Fazio graduated from Syracuse University and earned hisJuris Doctorate from City University of New York. He became a member ofthe New York State Bar in 1986. In 1996, Mr. Fazio began his own lawpractice serving corporations and small businesses in New York the last nine years, he has also served as in-house counsel forsecured commercial lenders with annual revenues in the billions ofdollars.. Mr. Fazio enjoys using his unique experience and varied resources tonegotiate and document important business transactions for large andsmall businesses. He concentrates in corporate formations, structureand finance, as well as operation and funding of medical facilitiesacross the country.

The newest member of Team Russo, Katie Ann Trotta, focuses on estate and trust administration, probate, and estate planning.. Katie knew from an early age that she wanted to become an attorney. An accomplished athlete, she initially thought she’d be the next Jerry Maguire. However, Katie’s father passed away suddenly, without a will, while she was still in college. Katie witnessed the uncertainty, frustration, and challenges that come with settling an estate. Therefore, she decided to focus her practice on assisting people who are experiencing a similar situation, as well as helping people establish a plan in advance to prepare for the inevitable.. Today, Katie is committed to helping families protect their assets and plan for the future. Her experience in the financial services industry gives Katie unique insights into various aspects of estate planning.. Katie studied business at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she was also a member (and Captain) of the university’s varsity softball team. She earned her law degree at Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where she was a member of the Honors Program and graduated Cum Laude.

The firm was established with the goal of offering clients greater personal attention and cost efficiency. For every legal matter we strive to be involved with our clients to meet their needs, goals and expectations.

Terence E. Smolev has been practicing Tax Trusts and Estate law since 1970. As an accountant and attorney started his practice with the accounting firm, Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co (now KPMG) in 1969.. For many years he has also represented special education students and acted as a Hearing officer in special education matters.. Mr. Smolev has a long history of involvement in tax matters. He has been a member of the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner’s Small Business Advisory Committee. In addition he has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University teaching all areas of law in the Business School and Estate Planning in the Law School. He currently lectures at the Washington College of Law of the American University about Criminal Tax Fraud.. Mr. Smolev served as Counsel to The North Merrick UFSD for many years, was the President of the Board of Directors of the Hamlet community in Jericho, New York, long time member of the Board of Trustees of Hofstra University, and a member of the Board of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. In addition, he serves on the Board of the Gurwin Jewish Health Care Foundation, the Board of Directors of the New York City Police Museum as Vice Chair and Counsel, and the American University Washington College of Law Dean’s Advisory Committee.. Mr. Smolev is an avid photographer, having been a professional photographer for news and sports prior to attending law school. He was a PR photographer for WMCA Radio (the Good Guys) in NYC.

Robert M. D’Angelillo, Esq. represents clients in all matters relating to estate planning, estate administration, long-term care planning and assistance with obtaining the care they need while preserving their assets for their families. In addition to trusts, estate law and elder law, Robert D’Angelillo also assists clients and families who have children or adults with special needs to establish guardianships while maintaining their government benefits.. In addition to relevant experience at local Long Island law firms in the past, Robert had almost a decade of experience as a Law Partner heading the Elder Law Division of a large Suffolk County law firm prior to joining Futterman Lanza, LLP. Robert formerly was the Principal Law Clerk for the Honorable Nicholas Figueroa in the New York State Supreme Court for New York County before entering private practice where he has spent several years representing his clients’ interests in all aspects of estate planning and elder law.. Over the years, he continues to counsel numerous clients in the Hofstra Law School Veterans Legal Assistance Project and is frequently invited to present to special needs organizations, financial advisors, and various community groups.. Robert primarily works in the Garden City office while visiting the Smithtown office and Bay Shore offices as needed.

Maureen is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Nassau County Bar Association, where she serves on the Matrimonial Law Committee, the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee, and the Surrogate's Court Estates and Trusts Committee.  Maureen is also a member of the Nassau County Women's Bar Association and was appointed Treasurer in 2010.  Maureen is a member of the Nassau County Matrimonial Mediators and the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals as well as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.  She is also a long time member of the Nassau Lawyer's Association of Long Island, where she was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2002.  Maureen has lectured at the Academy of Law, the Nassau County Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association.. In addition to her practice Maureen is active in the community as she has been a member of the Board of Directors at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead since 2006; a member of the Board of Directors for The Maurer Foundation since 2010; a member of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce; and a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts USA.

Marie Elena is a Partner of Russo Law Group, P.C. of Garden City, Islandia, Lido Beach and Manhattan, New York. Marie Elena joined the firm in 1991 and her areas of practice include Trust and Estate Administration, Elder Law, Special Needs and Estate Planning, Guardianships, and Real Estate. Marie Elena is a member of the New York State, Nassau and Suffolk County Bar Associations, the Academy of Special Needs Planners, and has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from 2004-2011. She is a former Co-Chair of the Legal Education Committee, former Chair of the Trusts and Estates Administration Committee, former Chair of the Estate Tax Planning Committee, and former Co-Chair of the Trusts and Estates Administration Committee for the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section. Marie Elena was also the Chair of the 2010 Annual Meeting for the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section.. In addition, Marie Elena is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). She is a former Chair of NAELA’S Member Relations/Membership Committee, a former Chair of NAELA’S Academic Committee, and continues to be actively involved with NAELA. In 2010, Marie Elena was nominated to the Board of Directors of NAELA National. She has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Chapter of NAELA. She earned her law degree at St. John’s University School of Law and is admitted to the New York State Bar.. “I receive great personal and professional satisfaction from helping families achieve their objectives, protect their assets, and cope during times of family crisis,” says Marie Elena. “I am also proud of the fact that we have become one of the most respected Elder Law, Special Needs and Estate Planning firms in the country. Every day offers me a new opportunity to use my experience and knowledge to help families during difficult times.”

I'm married with 3 kids, avid cyclist, life long Long Island resident and hoping for grandchildren soon.

I take pride in the legal services I provide to my clients and am dedicated to doing my best for my clients every day.. I am a member of the following organizations:. New York State Bar Association. Nassau County Bar Association. Judges and Lawyers Against Breast Cancer Alert. Estate Planning Council of Nassau County. Columbian Lawyers Association of Nassau County, Inc.. Women's Bar Association. I am admitted to:. United States Supreme Court. United States District Court, Eastern District of New York. New York State, Appellate Division, Second Department. I also acted as the co-Chair of the Nassau County Bar Association's Surrogate's Court Committee from 2008-2010.

Estate Planning for Your Whole Life.  Cara Law guides families through life's milestones.  Lifetime planning for families seeking asset preservation and protection, estate and special needs planning, as well as plans for illness, long-term care, and planning for children.

Ellen Victor concentrates her practice in all aspects of elder law, small business and estate planning. She is qualified to serve as attorney to incapacitated persons in a guardianship proceeding.. While Ellen provides estate planning and elder law to a wide variety of clients, as the parent of an adult special needs child, her passion is serving the legal needs of families with disabled children.  Ellen's Mom is currently in a nursing home, and Ellen finds working with families in this difficult situation very rewarding.

Diana Lattanzio brings 19 years of experience to Russo Law Group, P.C., where she focuses on elder law, Medicaid planning, estate planning, and real estate.. A compassionate person by nature, Diana’s interest in elder law was inspired by her close relationship with her maternal grandparents. She appreciated the sacrifices they had made coming to America for a better life, together with their wisdom and the life-lessons they imparted to the rest of the family. When Diana’s grandfather required home care, Diana’s mother provided it. Diana saw firsthand the challenges faced by caregivers and elders alike, and vowed to dedicate her career to helping families during times of crisis. Diana is committed to minimizing the stress her clients are going through while providing sound legal advice to protect their assets against the high cost of long-term care.. Diana earned her B.S., Magna Cum Laude, from St. John’s University, and her J.D. from the Hofstra University School of Law. She is licensed to practice in the states of New York and New Jersey and is also admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Dedicated, Highly Respected, Experienced Attorney; Always a thorough consultation for our prospective clients. My firm is built on quality relationships. "Client Driven" is my core belief.. I assist my clients in taking the necessary steps to control their assets while they are able, prepare for potential disability, and ensure that they will give what they want to whom they want, when they want.  Together we prepare a legacy plan that will not only protect assets, but provide confidence and a sense of satisfaction in my clients knowing they have taken the steps necessary to protect the financial well-being of not only themselves, but their loved ones as well.. My experience, coupled with my compassion, form the cornerstone on which you will be able to trust that you have done what is necessary to prepare for the future. And then, you will be able to enjoy each and every day, knowing that you have a plan in place that protects not only you, but also the ones you love.  It would be my honor to be your trusted advisor for years to come.