Business Details
Your Trusted Elder Law Attorney in Garden City, NY
Law Office Of David A Smith, PLLC is a full-service elder law firm with nearly two decades of experience providing comprehensive legal solutions. Our practice focuses on guardianship litigation, estate planning, probate administration, Medicaid planning, and mental hygiene law. We prioritize personalized attention and aggressive legal representation for clients in Garden City and Nassau County. Our team specializes in navigating complex legal challenges related to elder care, healthcare directives, and estate management.With deep expertise in Surrogates Court proceedings and Medicaid compliance, we protect clients' rights in healthcare decisions and financial planning. Our attorneys combine extensive litigation experience with compassionate counsel to address the unique needs of aging individuals and their families. We maintain a commitment to ethical practice, transparency, and achieving favorable outcomes through both courtroom advocacy and strategic legal planning.
Services
Guardianship Litigation
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Medicaid Applications
Mental Hygiene Law
Wills and Trusts
Healthcare Proxies
Estate Litigation
Power of Attorney
Nursing Home Hearings
Highlights and features
- We have nearly 20 years of experience in elder law and estate litigation
- Our team provides personalized legal attention for complex healthcare directives
- We handle Medicaid planning and Surrogates Court proceedings with expertise
- We protect clients' rights in nursing home and hospital treatment decisions
- Our firm combines courtroom experience with compassionate end-of-life planning
Services
Guardianship Litigation
We handle contested guardianship cases and administration for incapacitated individuals. Our attorneys represent families in Surrogates Court proceedings to establish or challenge guardianship arrangements. We ensure compliance with New York's Mental Hygiene Law while protecting clients' rights and interests in care decisions.
Medicaid Planning
Our firm specializes in Medicaid eligibility planning and application processes. We help families navigate complex asset protection strategies while maintaining quality long-term care. We represent clients in Medicaid fair hearings and appeals for nursing home and home care benefits.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans including wills, trusts, and healthcare proxies. Our services ensure clients' wishes are legally protected through powers of attorney and living wills. We focus on minimizing estate taxes and facilitating smooth asset transfer to beneficiaries.
Probate Administration
We guide executors through Surrogates Court probate proceedings. Our services include will validation, asset inventory, debt settlement, and estate distribution. We handle contested probate matters and represent fiduciaries in estate administration disputes.
Mental Hygiene Law
We represent clients in mental health treatment hearings and retention proceedings. Our attorneys advocate for patients' rights to refuse medical treatment while addressing facility concerns. We handle applications for court-ordered treatment and guardianship for developmentally disabled individuals.
People
David A. Smith
Attorney
Law Office Of David A Smith, PLLC has practiced elder law for nearly two decades, focusing on guardianship litigation and estate planning. He represents clients in Surrogates Court proceedings and develops comprehensive Medicaid planning strategies for long-term care.
Daniel J. Smith
Attorney
Daniel J. Smith specializes in probate administration and mental hygiene law matters. He assists families with estate settlement and represents clients in healthcare directive disputes and nursing home hearings.
Ryan P. Dougherty
Attorney
Ryan P. Dougherty focuses on Medicaid applications and fair hearings for elder care benefits. He advises clients on asset protection strategies and represents them in Medicaid eligibility disputes.
Questions
What elder law services do you offer?
We specialize in guardianship litigation, Medicaid planning, estate planning, probate administration, and mental hygiene law matters for Nassau County residents.
How can I plan for long-term care costs?
Our Medicaid planning services help protect assets while qualifying for government benefits to cover nursing home or home care expenses.
What happens if someone contests a will?
We represent clients in Surrogates Court for contested probate proceedings, addressing claims of undue influence or forgery in estate matters.
Can you help with healthcare directives?
We draft legally binding healthcare proxies, living wills, and powers of attorney to ensure your medical wishes are followed.
How do I start guardianship proceedings?
Contact our office to file a petition with the Surrogates Court, including medical evidence and notice to interested parties for guardianship hearings.
