Business Details
19 Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning & Elder Law Partner in Tenafly, NJ
Established in 2007, our firm specializes in estate and trust planning, elder law, and special needs planning. With over two decades of legal expertise, we guide clients through complex matters including Medicaid applications, probate administration, and asset protection. Our practice integrates personalized strategies to address individual and family needs, emphasizing long-term care planning and intergenerational wealth transfer.As a solo boutique firm in Tenafly, New Jersey, we combine deep technical knowledge with compassionate counsel. Our attorney, Jodi B. Scherl, holds memberships in the New Jersey and New York State Bar Associations, actively contributes to professional committees, and educates families and legal professionals through lectures and seminars.
Services
Estate Planning
Medicaid Planning
Special Needs Trusts
Probate Administration
Elder Law Services
Trust Administration
Long Term Care Planning
Guardianships
Business Succession Planning
Gift Tax Returns
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer 17+ years of focused experience in estate and elder law since 2007
- Specialized expertise in Medicaid planning and special needs trust creation
- Active membership in New Jersey and New York Bar Associations' trusts & estates sections
- Proven track record in complex estate administration and tax planning
- Personalized approach combining technical mastery with family-centered counsel
Services
Estate Planning
We create comprehensive estate plans including wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Our services address tax implications, asset distribution, and incapacity planning. Clients receive tailored strategies to protect their legacy while considering family dynamics and future needs.
Medicaid Planning
Our Medicaid eligibility strategies preserve assets while meeting long-term care needs. We implement legal techniques for nursing home care, home health services, and assisted living expenses. The practice addresses both immediate and future Medicaid qualification requirements through trust structures and asset transfers.
Special Needs Trusts
We establish special needs trusts to protect government benefits for individuals with disabilities. Our planning integrates family estate documents with supplemental needs provisions. The service covers minors and adults requiring lifelong financial support while maintaining eligibility for public assistance programs.
Probate Administration
The firm guides executors through probate processes including will validation, tax filings, and asset distribution. We handle federal and state estate tax returns, post-mortem planning, and final estate settlements. Our services ensure compliance with legal requirements while minimizing administrative burdens.
Elder Law Services
Our elder law practice addresses aging-related legal needs including long-term care planning, guardianships, and age discrimination protections. We help families navigate retirement transitions, healthcare decision-making, and intergenerational wealth transfer while maintaining client autonomy and dignity.
People
Jodi B. Scherl
Attorney
Jodi Scherl has practiced elder law and estate planning since 1995. She founded her Tenafly practice in 2007 after serving as tax and estate planning counsel at Cohn Lifland LLP. A frequent lecturer on special needs planning, she holds memberships in multiple bar associations and teaches continuing legal education courses.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I need?
Essential documents include wills, revocable living trusts, durable powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. We customize these based on family circumstances, asset portfolios, and long-term care considerations.
How does Medicaid planning work?
We analyze current assets and future care needs to implement strategies that protect resources while qualifying for Medicaid benefits. This includes trust creation, asset transfers, and income restructuring techniques.
Can I create a special needs trust for my child?
Yes, we design special needs trusts to provide supplemental support without affecting government benefits. These trusts can be integrated into your overall estate plan to ensure lifelong care.
What happens during probate administration?
The process involves validating the will, inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing property to beneficiaries. We guide executors through each step while addressing potential tax implications and family concerns.
Do you handle out-of-state estate matters?
While our office serves New Jersey residents, we can assist with multi-state estate planning and coordinate with attorneys in other jurisdictions to ensure comprehensive legal coverage.
