About the Firm
Ettinger Law Firm focuses exclusively on estate planning and elder law. Our attorneys and paralegals work to provide asset protection and tax savings for baby boomers and senior citizens. Practicing for over twenty years and with offices in thirteen New York State locations, Ettinger Law Firm has prepared thousands of estate plans for generations of middle class families.
The recent economic crisis has redefined affluence and what people need and want in their financial lives. Every day we observe how safety, simplicity and even predictability are becoming watchwords. From our experience, we know that carefully created trusts are some of the best tools to preserve and even extend the value of your assets – even in the event of unexpected changes. Due to our focus on using trusts in estate plans, we help save countless thousands of dollars for our clients every year.
Over ten years ago, Ettinger Law Firm recognized that it wasn’t enough to just design estate plans utilizing trusts. One of the most rewarding aspects of this field of law is getting to know entire families. Our relationships span many, many years.
In light of this understanding, we created The Lifetime Estate Planning Process.™ Given the pace of change in our modern world, an estate plan created today is of little value unless it is monitored every year to make certain that at the time you and your family may need it, it addresses your current legal, financial and personal circumstances.
Our trademarked process includes:
Lifetime tracking of client’s estate plan so that they are notified if any changes in the law are pertinent to their plan;
A tri-annual, free review of his/her estate plans to go over changes in health, marital and asset status;
Invitations to our bi-annual Client Appreciation Breakfast; and
Subscription to our Ettinger Elder Elert, a weekly notification offering new planning techniques and strategies, some of which have been pioneered by the law firm itself, including the Inheritance Trust.
Perhaps even more crucial than the monetary savings of a well crafted and maintained estate plan is selecting a legal counselor whose focus lies in helping his clients to see their long term goals clearly. There is a lot of sophisticated planning advice out there. It can result in unintended consequences and often discounts what people really need as they encounter some of the most difficult issues of their lives. Ettinger Law Firm believes in simplicity and understanding their clients and their relationships.
Mission Statement
To provide timely and accurate legal advice to our clients and to the community;
To assure that our clients receive the highest level of safety and security in a changing world;
To defend our clients’ rights and champion their just causes; and
To see to it that those who interact with us are satisfied beyond their expectations.
Practice Areas
Elder Law Estate Planning
Why Choose Ettinger Law Firm?
What is Elder Law Estate Planning?
The Five Steps to an Elder Law Estate Plan
The Two Biggest Mistakes in Elder Law Estate Planning
Components of an Elder Law Estate Plan
Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts
Inheritance Trusts to Keep Assets in the Family
Protecting Special Needs Children and Grandchildren with Trusts
Legal Steps to Take with Alzheimer’s
Special Needs Trust for Adults
Second Marriage Planning
Planning for Singles and Couples Without Children
Elder Law Estate Planning Issues for Women
Protecting Assets for Spendthrift Children
Planning for Same Sex Couples
The Top Ten Reasons to Plan Your Estate
The Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
Business Succession Planning
Disclaimer Trusts for Couples with Taxable Estates
Prenuptial Agreements
Glossary of Elder Law Estate Planning Terms
Wills
Wills in General
Pitfalls of Will Planning
Executor vs Trustee Fees at Death
Writing an Ethical Will – Legacy Development
Medicaid Strategies
Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts
Long-Term Care Insurance v. Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
Medicaid Exempt Assets
Applying for Medicaid
Medicaid Annuities to Protect Assets
Spousal Refusal – “Just Say No”
Protecting Half on the Nursing Home Doorstep: The Gift and Loan Strategy
Protecting Assets with Caregivers Agreements
Living Trusts
Special Needs Trusts
Estate Administration and Probate
Estate Administration and Probate
Trustee’s Duties Upon the Death of the Grantor
Using a Professional Trustee to Settle the Estate