Practice Groups

Elder Law is the practice of developing lifelong strategies to maximize a client’s physical and financial quality of life. It requires expertise in several distinct areas of the law.

Our attorneys implement a holistic and flexible approach to the law. They consider their clients’ needs and the impact of those needs on clients’ families. When crises arise, such as when a loved one suddenly requires facility care, our Elder Law attorneys are readily available to advise the client regarding appropriate placement, minimizing the financial burden of paying for care while maximizing the preservation of assets.

Our goal is to preserve our clients’ independence, dignity and financial security. We are strong and committed advocates for guardianships for older adults who can no longer tend to their own financial and healthcare needs, and we are often called upon to establish, defend and administer these guardianships.

We help our clients and their families by providing a range of services:

• Durable Powers of Attorney
• Healthcare Proxies
• Living Wills
• Long-Term Care Planning
• Medicaid Planning
• Article 81 Guardianships
• Trusts
• Wills

Elder Law attorneys must have an in-depth knowledge of health care directives, financial directives, asset preservation, trusts and estate planning, probate and administration proceedings, tax minimization, and eligibility for public health benefits, especially Medicaid.

Because this discipline is multi-dimensional, a program – Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) – was created. To receive CELA certification, an elder lawyer must meet stringent requirements including, among other things, practicing elder law for at least five years, passing a full-day certification exam, and being licensed to practice law in at least one state.

Rivkin Radler is one of the only firms in the nation with three CELAs.