
The Elder Law and Special Needs Section provides services and opportunities for involvement on issues relating to Elder Law and Special Needs Law, for members of the New York State Bar Association. Among activities, the Section presents educational programs and publishes materials on practice, procedure and developments to enhance the competence and skill of lawyers who practice in this field and improve their ability to deliver the most efficient and highest quality of services to their clients; prepare studies, analyses and recommendations to seek improvement in the law and procedure relating to elder law; and undertake projects to increase the understanding of senior citizens, their families and the general public concerning legal issues affecting the elderly.
Contact the Elder Law and Special Needs Section Liaison
To learn more about this Section, please contact Cathy Teeter
[email protected]
(518) 487-5573
Matthew Nolfo
Matthew J. Nolfo is the principal of the Matthew J. Nolfo & Associates. Matt specializes in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law. He practices in New York and New Jersey. Matt has served as co-chair for the Legislation Committee of the NYS Bar Association’s Elder Law and Special Needs Committee and has actively participated on the Executive Committee for several years. Matt is a Past Chair of the Committee on the Problems of the Aging at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Matt has chaired and lectured at various symposiums on Estate Planning and Elder Law issues at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the New York State Bar Association, the New York County Lawyer’s Association, the Jewish Lawyer’s Guild, the Metropolitan Women’s Bar Association, the Columbian Lawyer’s Association, the Suffolk County Bar Association, the National Kidney Foundation, the Archdiocese of New York The Practicing Law Institute, as well as various other civic and community organizations. Matt also served as an adjunct professor at New York University’s School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies where he taught courses in Estate Planning and Asset Protection Planning.
Online Community
Elder and Special Needs Law Journal
The Elder and Special Needs Law Journal (formerly the Elder Law Attorney) features peer written substantive articles relating to the practice of elder law on such topics as long term care, Article 81, advance directives, Medicaid, SNTs, guardianship, Social Security, tax issues, and estate planning.
The Elder and Special Needs Law Journal is published by the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association and available to Section members only.
The Elder and Special Needs Law Journal encourages article submissions on topics of interest to members of the Section. Writing an article for a NYSBA Section publication is a great way to get your name out in the legal community and advertise your knowledge. Our authors are respected state-wide for their legal expertise in such areas as the DRA, medicaid, SNTs, grandparent’s rights, and guardianships.
MCLE credit may also be earned for legal-based writing directed to an attorney audience upon application to the CLE Board. NYSBA Guidelines for Obtaining MCLE Credit for Writing as well as a Publication Credit Application are available.
If you have written an article and would like to have it considered for publication in the Elder and Special Needs Law Journal, please send it in electronic document format (pdfs are NOT acceptable), along with biographical information to either of its Co-Editors:
Katherine Carpenter, Esq.
[email protected]
Patricia Shevy, Esq.
[email protected]
Elder Law & Special Needs Section Committee
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Client And Consumer Issues Committee
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Committee On Long-Term Care Facility Reform
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Diversity Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Elder Abuse Committee
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Estates, Trusts, And Tax Issues Committee
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Ethics Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Executive Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Financial Planning And Investments Committee
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Guardianship Committee
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Health Care Issues Committee
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Legal Education Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Legislation Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Liaison To Law School Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Mediation Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Medicaid Committee
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Member Services Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Mental Health Committee
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Mentoring Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Practice Management Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Publications Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Real Estate And Housing Committee
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Special Education Committee
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Special Needs Planning Committee
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Sponsorship Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Technology Committee (Elder Law & Special Needs)
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Unauthorized Practice- Medicaid Committee
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Veterans Benefits Committee
Awards
Scholarships
Honorable Joel K. Asarch Elder Law and Special Needs Section Scholarship
The Elder Law and Special Needs Section encourages law students, through an elder law clinic experience, to learn about important legislative developments, regulations, and case laws impacting the elderly and disabled and to provide representation to those clients struggling with a variety of legal issues and problems related to aging and incapacity.
Through the scholarship, the Section aspires to advance opportunities for the disabled by implementing a preference for awarding the scholarship to a student who demonstrates a present and permanent physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of the individual.
The ultimate goal of the scholarship is to create a network and cultivate relationships among lawyers whose practice focuses on elder law and special needs planning and law students planning to practice in these areas to encourage the practice of elder law and special needs planning among lawyers throughout the State of New York.
Application Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2020
Mentor Program
Elder Law and Special Needs Section Offers Opportunities for Mentoring
The Elder Law and Special Needs Section is pleased to announce it is accepting applications for the 2020 mentorship program. As in prior years, this program will pair an experienced elder law attorney with a Section member new to the practice of elder law for the coming year. The term is for one year, commencing April 30, 2020 and ending May 1, 2021. The mentoring program will provide
- A one-on-one mentoring initiative matching experienced Elder Law and Special Needs attorneys with those who are newer to the practice; and
- Opportunities to work together on section programs, reports and events that will enhance careers and the profession.
The mentoring relationships will incorporate a number of different elements, encompassing a mix of formal and more “ad hoc” opportunities for mentors and mentees to collaborate. Section Committee Chairs are poised to welcome mentor/mentee pairs to work together on committee projects, reports, events, etc. As for ad hoc opportunities, we look forward to seeing what pairs come up with, and to learning from one another. We plan that there will be at least one communication per month, whether in person, by telephone or email, to keep continuity and maximize the value to the participants.
TO BE A MENTEE:
- You must be practicing elder law for 5 years or fewer;
- You must be a member in good standing of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of NYSBA; and
- You must attend at least 2 Section meetings.
We are hoping to make 21 matches this year:
7 matches for Mentees living or practicing in the 1st, 2nd, 12th and 13th Judicial Districts.
7 matches for Mentees living or practicing in the 9th, 10th and 11th Judicial Districts.
7 matches for Mentees living or practicing in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Judicial Districts.
While we are hoping to accommodate as many pairings as possible, in the event we receive more requests for Mentees than we have available Mentors, selection of Mentees will be made randomly.
If you are interested in applying to be a Mentor or Mentee, please fill out the appropriate form below and email to JulieAnn Calereso ([email protected]).
We look forward to making this a rewarding experience for both Mentors and Mentees!
Know Your Rights for Visitation in Long-Term Care Facilities During Covid-19
COVID-19: Execution of Estate Planning Documents: Perspectives and Thoughts on How this Will Affect Our Practice
Speakers:
Jill Beier, Esq., Beier PLLC, Lake Placid, NY
Deborah Kearns, Esq., Chief Clerk, Albany County Surrogates Court
Tara Anne Pleat, Esq., Wilcenski & Pleat, PLLC, Clifton Park, NY
Moderator:
Patricia J. Shevy, Esq., The Shevy Law Firm, LLC, Albany, NY
Status of Pending Legislation
Pamphlets
Elder Law and Special Needs Section Pamphlets
- 17 Benefits for Older New Yorkers
- Benefits for Veterans and Their Families 2015
- Guidelines for Guardians 2020
- Guidelines for Trustees of First Party Supplemental Needs Trusts 2011
- Living Wills and Health Care Proxies 2021
- Long-Term Care Insurance 2020
- Why You Need a Will 2020
- Why Your Medicaid Application Should be Entrusted to an Elder Law Attorney
Forms
Power of Attorney Forms
Effective September 12, 2010
NYS Department of Health – Health Care Proxy forms, etc.
Articles, Reports and Resources
- Elder Abuse Prevention
- Fair Hearing Decisions Database
- Guidelines for Guardians (2013)
- Guidelines for Trustees of First Party Supplemental Needs Trusts (2011)
- Why You Need a Will (LEGALEase Pamphlet) (2013)
- Why Your Medicaid Application Should Be Entrusted to an Elder Law Attorney (2013)
- Resources
- Foreign Language Database
New York State Elder Abuse Resources Guide
This New York State Elder Abuse Resources Guide was compiled by the NYSBA Elder Law Section’s Elder Abuse Committee specifically for attorneys who encounter abuse or potential abuse of older adults within their client population. Practitioners may want to offer resources or referrals to clients experiencing abuse. The goal of this guide is to allow them to do so in an informed and efficient way, making use of local infrastructure. The guide is organized by Section district, and contains resources submitted by each of the Elder Law Section’s district delegates. The Elder Abuse Committee sincerely hopes that this guide will be of practical assistance to members of our Bar throughout the state. Please contact Joy Solomon with questions or suggestions at [email protected].
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