Brooklyn Elder Law Attorney

Attorney Frank Racano admitted to pilfering the estate of the late Brooklyn Judge John Phillips out of nearly $600,000, most of which he spent on a condo for his mother. Phillips was known as the “Kung Fu Judge” because of his black belt — and his tendency to incorporate martial arts gestures into his jurisprudence. Racano wrote 300 checks to himself from the judge’s escrow account after he was hired by family to handle Phillips’ estate. Read more: http://nypost.com/2017/04/20/lawyer-sentenced-to-three-years-for-pilfering-estate-of-dead-judge/

The University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law started an Estate Planning and Elder Law program this year to bring more options for end-of-life planning, asset management and health care law. Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2017/04/21/u-of-l-aims-to-address-elder-law-shortage-with.html

Attorney Adam Fried tells Cleveland Jewish News: “There are infinite reasons someone could consult an attorney, even general problems that people experience in their everyday lives. Whether it’s contracts, a tax controversy or estate problems like I deal with, you might want to consult with someone.” In Fried’s area of practice, he has plenty experience dealing with elderly parents. For example, he said had a case where two sisters called him regarding their mother’s competency and neither could agree where she would live. Many times, he said, the parties make everything that was ever an issue. Fried said other life-changing situations, such as end-of-life preparations, could be approached smoothly if an attorney were involved. Read more: http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/features/special_sections/legal_affairs/consulting-an-attorney-can-make-situations-easier/article_2bdd4f5e-238d-11e7-a597-47586ea39b37.html

Think of legal documents as tools to accomplish goals. Most older folks wish to remain in control of their own lives as much as possible. The first two legal documents help you control your life during your lifetime, especially if you are hit with incapacity. A Will allows you to control how your estate is distributed after your death. Depending on your assets, you might not "need" a Will, but everyone has a body and mind and has wishes and preferences about the healthcare of their body and mind, so in my opinion, everyone can benefit by having a Healthcare Directive. Also, since everyone has a financial situation, everyone can probably benefit from having a Power of Attorney for financial matters. Read more: http://www.pinejournal.com/life/seniors/4247289-dear-senior-legal-linewhat-legal-documents-should-i-have-order-plan-my-future

Three thieves admitted in court to taking advantage of elderly women who had placed their trust in them. The cases are not related but they fit a disturbing pattern that District Attorney John J. Flynn fears will only grow worse as the county's elderly population grows. "These people prey on the elderly. In Western New York, we have more and more elderly people who are living longer," Flynn said. "A lot of people who are elderly ... don’t have family here to watch out for them. You put all those together and it creates a problem. It's a perfect storm." Read more: http://buffalonews.com/2017/04/07/3-plead-guilty-targeting-seniors-thefts/

The city’s senior population is rising fast with an imbalance of programs and services in neighborhoods where aging populations live, according to a new report by city Comptroller Stringer. The senior population in New York, which has grown 19.2 percent since 2005, currently faces issues from affordability, transportation and housing, Stringer said, calling for a “holistic,” “agency-by-agency” take-down of these challenges. Read more: http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2017/12/stringer_2017_03_24_q.html