Why Elder Law is Extremely Important
No one enjoys thinking about what life would be like if we became incapacitated. And when it comes to our elderly parents? Most people are reluctant to have these conversations with Mom or Dad. This is where the expertise of an Elder Law Attorney is most needed.
Somekh & Associates
Do You Know What REALLY Happens in Elder Law?
I’m sure you’ve heard of stories in the news where a person becomes incapacitated. Suddenly their life and the lives of their loved ones spin out of control. They no longer make their own decisions. And, you may be shocked to discover, if the right legal documents aren’t in place their loved ones may not make those choices either.
The court may have to appoint a guardian. The guardian could be someone who doesn’t know your loved one (maybe Mom or Dad) or their wishes, makes all the health care and financial decisions while family members stand helplessly on the sidelines.
Surprised? Most of my clients are.
Elder Law is About Preventing Headaches Later: Lori Somekh
My practice is focused in “Elder Law.” I help clients with the legal documents you need (or perhaps your elderly parents need) to put your affairs in order. So, when a debilitating illness strikes, your family and the people you love don’t become a victim of the legal system.
An astounding 85 percent of the Guardianship cases I handle happen because people don’t have these documents in place. The other 15 percent of those cases are due to elder exploitation. Shocking, but true.
How to Avert a Nightmare
With legal documents called a “Health Care Proxy” and a “Durable Power of Attorney” in place you retain some control by choosing a person you trust (usually a loved one) to make your health care and financial decisions if and when you need such help. It’s a great example of how “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Everyone should consider having these documents in their arsenal of important papers.
Chances are you already have a will. A will is a loving gesture towards your family so your wishes are made clear and your loved ones don’t have to wonder what you would have wanted. The legal documents I help my clients with, like the Health Care Proxy and Durable Power of Attorney, are also a loving gesture that assures your wishes are respected and protected during that thorny time when incapacity strikes.
You’ll Breathe Easier Knowing You’ve Done the Right Thing
Preventing problems before they occur is critically important. And, if you have an elderly parent or another relative experiencing challenges with Medicaid or asset protection, I can answer your questions.
When an elderly loved one is going through a difficult illness and decisions must be made – you have enough to worry about. You’ll know you’ve done the right things and breathe easier when the complex legal matters have been taken care of and you can focus on your family once again.
About Lori Somekh
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Lori R. Somekh was admitted to practice law in New York and the Federal Courts. She established her own firm in 1997. Ms. Somekh enjoys serving her clients’ elder law needs especially those affecting their health and wealth. She has served in guardianship cases as court evaluator, court-appointed counsel, temporary guardian and guardian-ad-litem. She has served as a Judicial Hearing Officer for the State of New York, where hearing appeals of real property tax reductions cases. Prior to building a successful elder advocacy firm, Ms. Somekh was assistant vice president of First Northern Mortgagee Corp., and an associate of Cullen & Dykman, one of New York City’s oldest and largest law firms.
Ms. Somekh graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1981 and received her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. Ms. Somekh is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law and Real Estate Sections, the Queens County Bar Association’s Elderly and Disabled Committee and Steering Committee on Fiduciary Appointments, the Nassau County Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Yashar (the attorneys’ and judges’ Chapter of Hadassah), and the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. Ms. Somekh is conversant in Spanish. She is member of the Executive Committee of the Elder Law Section of the NYS Bar Association – Queens Delegate.
Of Counsel
LAURA BURNS, ESQ., OF COUNSEL
EDUCATION
Laura earned her Juris Doctor degree from Hofstra School of Law after attending the law school on scholarship. While at Hofstra, Laura was an Editor with The Journal of International Business and Law, and upon completion of her degree, earned a further Certification of Excellence in the field of Health Law Studies. Prior to attending Hofstra, Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University.
BAR ADMISSIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:
Laura is admitted to practice law before the Courts of the State of New York, as well as the United States District Court for the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York, and the United States Federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Laura is a member of the New York State and Queens County Bar Associations.
LISA B. SINGER, ESQ., Of Counsel
Lisa B. Singer is a personable, caring and thoughtful attorney and enjoys helping those in need! Lisa’s practice includes Medicaid Planning, Elder Law, Trusts and Estates, Wills, Probate and Administration Proceedings, Guardianship and Special Needs Trusts. Prior to joining Somekh & Associates as an of counsel attorney, Lisa was a managing attorney for a Mortgage Default Law Firm. She was also an associate attorney of Cullen & Dykman, one of New York City’s oldest law firms. She is a 1993 graduate of Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center where she was a member of the Touro Law Review.
Lisa received her undergraduate degree from State University of New York at Albany. She is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and United States District Courts in New York (Eastern, Southern, Northern and Western Districts). Lisa is a member of the New York State Bar Association (Elder Law Section and Trusts and Estates Section), Queens County Bar Association and Suffolk County Bar Association. Lisa is soon to become an “empty nester”, enjoys travelling, and spending quality time with her family including her shipoo (shih-tzu/poodle mix), Ellie.
Kaina Pasteur
Paralegal
Kaina Pasteur is a paralegal with Somekh & Associates, PLLC, a firm specializing in Estate Planning (Trusts, Wills Powers of Attorney, and Heath Care Proxies) Medicaid Planning and Medicaid applications; Probate and Administration proceedings with Surrogate’s Court.
Ms. Pasteur is a magna cum laude graduate from Berkeley College earning her bachelor's degree in only three years. Before working with our firm, Ms. Pasteur had always had a passion for the law and had hopes of applying her passion to aid and benefit many lives in any way that she could. Her passion only increased over the years as she grew up to watch her beloved home country filled with injustice crumple piece by piece. Determined to make a change, in 2020, she interned with ‘The Legal Aid Society’ where she learned the basic skills needed to begin her career as a paralegal. As she accompanied attorneys to the courtroom, she truly realized how much of an impact proper representation and care can have on people's lives and it became her goal to dedicate her career to being of service to the people who need it. She envisions a world of justice; one where everyone is heard and is treated kindly with proper representation that does not rely solely on the monetary value of the case but on the change that the people deserve.
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