While I have practiced in many areas of the law in my 35+ year career, including casino law when I first started out in Atlantic City (where my firm represented Merv Griffin in his purchase of Resorts International Casino from Donald Trump), I have always provided estate planning, probate and trust services to my clients. My past experience practicing in the areas of real estate transactions, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, foreclosure defense and consumer law, provides me with a unique perspective when it comes to estate planning.  However, it is my experience with my Mom’s end of life journey that led me to the decision to focus my practice entirely on estate planning, probate and Medicaid planning, while also still assisting small business owners.  For more of the details of my journey with my Mom, click on the “My Story, My Why” video on this page.  

In short, while I have been preparing estate planning documents for over 30 years, I never actually saw them in action until my experiences with my Mom.  It was then that I realized their importance in making a very stressful time go more smoothly for the family members involved in a parent’s care.  I have since decided to make it my mission to help as many people as I can to have the documents and plans they need in place, before an unexpected life event occurs and it’s too late.

             Even more eye opening as a result of my journey with my Mom, was learning about the world of elder care and this entire community I was not aware of beforehand.  Even though I was an attorney and had some friends in the community, it was still scary. I could not imagine what it would be like for someone who was dealing with a parent, who had none of the required legal documents in place, while also dealing with the stress of major medical and life decisions that they might need to make for an ailing loved one.  Therefore, I knew that I had valuable experiences and information that I needed to share with families who were facing similar situations.

             In addition to the legal documents that every person should have no matter their age or financial position, I was also able to develop relationships with people I know, like and trust in the elder care community.  So while I might not have all the answers, I have cultivated a trusted network for my clients so we may find the solutions they need, whether it’s locating a facility, to the actual completion and processing of a Medicaid application.

             In regard to Medicaid, I can also guide a person and their family, whether it’s long term planning or crisis planning where there is an immediate need for a nursing home.  While partnering with Medicaid application experts, I will prepare the necessary legal documents such as irrevocable trusts, care-giver agreements, Medicaid compliant promissory notes and qualified income trusts.

             Finally, I also discovered the need for old school “house calls,” for individuals who may be homebound, or in a hospital or rehab facility.  Accordingly, my team and I are willing to go where necessary in Charlotte and Sarasota Counties in order to help someone get the documents they need when facing a challenging physical or medical situation.

            As a final note, I would be remiss not to mention some of the amazing caregivers I have met along the way.  These individuals are truly “angels on earth” the way they care for challenging (and sometimes ornery) people who are complete strangers, but treat them like family members.  I am forever in debt to many individuals who provided tremendous and compassionate care to my Mom.  In a world of growing conflict, anger and strife, it truly renewed my faith in mankind.