Elder Law

Elder Law encompasses a wide variety of fields that affect our lives as we age, as well as the lives of our loved ones. As a compassionate and knowledgeable law firm, we can guide and represent you in these fields, including Medicaid Planning, Guardianship, Advance Directives, and financial planning, to make sure your wishes are carried out and care is in place, while working to preserve your assets.

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You deserve to lead the kind of life you want, and give your loved ones the peace of mind that comes with knowing you will be taken care of. The Law Office of Jim D. Sarlis makes it easier to plan for the future and ensure legal matters are in place to protect your assets, provide for your care, and carry out your wishes.

Medicaid Planning: In the midst of a medical crisis, the last thing you want to worry about is health care coverage. The Law Office of Jim D. Sarlis provides Medicaid planning to minimize the burdensome costs of serious or long-term illness, while working to preserve a client's assets. There are many myths surrounding Medicaid planning. Despite the recent changes in the Medicaid Laws, there are still many opportunities to do Medicaid planning and protect your assets. We explain the truths and guide you through the complexities of this healthcare program so you can keep yourself and your loved ones protected.

Asset Protection: You worked hard to reach this milestone. The Law Office of Jim D. Sarlis can explain the legal and financial choices available to you so that you have more control over your assets. There are a variety of options that can help secure wealth and property so you can enjoy their benefits during your lifetime, and leave a legacy to your family as well. We work hard to make sure your financial wishes and assets are protected during your life and through future generations.

Guardianship: Guardianships provide a necessary intervention for people who are no longer able to act on their own behalf. Having appeared before the Supreme Court of New York State regularly as counsel in guardianship cases, we pursue justice on behalf of our clients. Having litigated contested cases, as well as precedent-setting cases, from simple to complex cases, we'll fight for your rights and guide you through the sensitive choices that arise in guardianship matters.

Litigation: Elder Advocates The Law Office of Jim D. Sarlis considers elder advocacy a serious responsibility. That's why we pursue and utilize all criminal and civil avenues through which the legal system can halt and punish elder abusers. Driven by this promise, we are not afraid to follow a case, wherever it may lead. In fact, we have represented clients in cases before the Supreme Court and Surrogate's Court of New York State, civil courts, and appellate courts. Whether the case involves financial exploitation of an elder, verbal or physical abuse, bed sores or other neglect, or unlawful detention by a nursing home or other institution, we can provide the guidance and representation you need. Our litigation services go beyond abuse cases and into other important areas including recovery of property, large estate matters, and distribution of assets. When we represent you in court, we don't take our eye off the goal -- positive verdicts with recovery of damages wherever possible. We have won precedent-setting cases in a variety of courts, and can assist you from inception to trial, and even appeal.

Jim D. Sarlis is the author of articles on these and related subjects. To view an abstract of a published article written by Jim D. Sarlis on assisted signatures (i.e., when the person signing needs help holding the pen), click HERE . You can also go to our Articles & Bulletins and Blog sections for articles on a variety of topics, written by Jim D. Sarlis and others. Check out our Videos section, too. For example, to view a video by the Guardianship Project, click HERE; to view a video on Elder Law and Medicaid Planning, click HERE. In our Definitions section, we explain commonly used terms.