1) Tell us a bit about yourself, your website and anything else you?d like to mention.
I am the managing partner of the law firm of Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman & Kutzin LLP. The firm concentrates in health law, elder law, trusts and estates, and the rights of the
elderly and disabled. I practice in the area of elder law, Medicare, Medicaid and the
use of trusts in health care planning.
I am the co-author of the legal treatise New York Elder Law (formerly New York Guide to Tax, Estate & Financial Planning for the Elderly), (Lexis-Matthew Bender, 1999-2010). I maintain the firm's website SeniorLaw.com. I was formerly an attorney and supervisor for the Civil Division of the Legal Aid Society in New York City. I am listed in New York Super Lawyers 2008 and 2009, included in the 2010 edition of /The Best Lawyers in America /in the specialty of Elder Law, and has achieved the highest rating (AV) in Martindale-Hubbell.
2) Why did you create the website?
I created the web site seniorlaw.com, in order to provide information about elder law,
elder law attorneys, New York law, Medicare, Medicaid, Medicaid planning, guardianship, estate planning, trusts and the rights of the elderly and disabled to senior citizens, their families, attorneys, social workers, and financial planners. It is a service of our law firm. It does help to bring clients to our firm.
3) What has been the feedback you have received about your site and how do you go
about making changes?
We have gotten lots of positive feedback. Many people use it as a resource especially
regarding Medicaid, Medicare and estate planning. People will occasionally give us
additional links and information.
4) What can I find at SeniorLaw.com that is unique and special among all of the
senior-related and caregiving websites out there?
Although we do not give specific legal advice, we do provide general legal information
that is hard to find anywhere else. We have up-to-date information about Medicare and
Medicaid. We also have information on estate planning and the new tax laws. We have
information on guardianships, powers of attorney, and health care proxies.
5) What would you say is the most asked legal question that you receive from your
clients?
What are the criteria for getting home care under Medicaid? Can I qualify for Medicaid if I have assets or income above a certain level? Can I get Medicaid and protect my home from a lien or estate recovery.
6) For many seniors who need legal advice but are not able to afford an attorney, are
there any resources that you could recommend where they could get legal advice on a
‘pro-bono’ basis?
There are many legal services and legal aid societies that provide services for low
income seniors. The federal government provides funding for legal services for the
elderly, so there should be programs in every state. There are 20 Statewide phone
hotlines across the United States. Most offer free legal telephone advice to persons over 60. See our link at http://www.seniorlaw.com/hotlines.htm.
-- David Goldfarb
Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman& Kutzin LLP
