FAQ's
1. What legal services does the law firm provide?
4. Why do I need a Special Needs attorney?
6. What do I bring to my initial consultation?
7. Do you charge for the initial meeting with an attorney?
8. Does the meeting fee include the preparation of documents?
9. Do you charge for your services by the hour?
10. What happens to my plan if the laws change?
11. What is your fee to meet regarding an Elder Law matter?
13. How do I evaluate the quality of your law firm?
14. How can I schedule an appointment?
15. Can I contact you by e-mail?
17. What are your office hours?
18. Can you give me directions to your Westbury office?
19. Can you give me directions to your Islandia office?
1. What legal services does the law firm provide?
VINCENT J. RUSSO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. provides the following legal services:
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Guardianships
- Medicaid Planning
- Probate, Trusts, and Estate Administration
- Special Needs
- Real Estate
2. What is Elder Law?
Elder Law is the practice of specially-trained attorneys who can help you protect your assets in the event of illness and dispose of your assets upon your demise, with a minimum of taxes and problems. Elder Law attorneys address long term care and estate planning needs of each individual based on his or her unique situation.
3. What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is not only for the rich or the elite. If you have assets and own property, you have an estate and therefore you need to have a plan! Your estate is what you leave after you pass away. You want to control how it is done, who gets your property, and when.
People who do estate planning want to make sure that their assets are passed on to their loved ones without problems, without high legal fees, and without time delays. Sometimes, people do estate planning to make sure that a particular person, such as a spouse or a child, is protected. Often, someone does planning to make sure that they have enough assets to live on for the rest of their life. An estate planning attorney, at a firm like ours, is your best resource to make this all happen.
4. Why do I need a Special Needs attorney?
Whether your loved one with special needs is an adult or a child born with special needs, we can help your family. This is the mission of a disability lawyer who is practicing special needs planning. At Vincent J. Russo & Associates, P.C., we work as an advocate for your loved one throughout his or her life: from on-going decision making, applying for Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid, to setting up trusts, and even acting as trustee for your child’s assets after your death, if you so desire.
5. How can you help me?
During your first consultation, we will provide you with highly trained staff, skilled in all areas of Elder Law, who will advise you. After extensive evaluation of your situation, our attorneys will offer suggestions and solutions and propose steps you should take to achieve your goal.
6. What do I bring to my initial consultation?
You should bring the completed questionnaire to the initial consultation along with the following (if these documents exist): a copy of the last two years' tax returns, Last Will and Testament, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives, deed of residence, real estate tax bill, medical and life insurance policies and/or any other information relevant to your situation.
7. Do you charge for the initial meeting with an attorney?
Yes, there is a charge for the initial meeting which pays for the attorney’s time, review of your situation and legal advice
8. Does the meeting fee include the preparation of documents?
There is a separate fee to implement an Asset Protection Plan which includes the preparation of documents.
9. Do you charge for your services by the hour?
For most of our services, the fee is based upon an amount set forth in a retainer agreement. In some situations, there can be an agreement for an hourly charge.
10. What happens to my plan if the laws change?
We will keep you updated by sending you the Eldercare Newsletter, by inviting you to free seminars and sending you Alerts regarding major changes in the law. You can also visit our website for updated information. You can always come in for a follow-up meeting to review your situation at a discounted fee which will include a summary letter of the meeting.
11. What is your fee to meet regarding an Elder Law Matter?
Our fee for the initial consultation is $375 which includes a scheduled appointment, review of any and all existing documents, as well as a summary letter.
12. Do you make home visits?
Yes, we make home visits, when necessary, subject to travel and other related charges.
13. How do I evaluate the quality of your law firm?
You go directly to Martindale Hubbell, the leader in lawyer reference publishing.
VINCENT J. RUSSO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. is rated "AV" by Martindale Hubbell. This is the highest rating given to law firms. "A" = Pre-eminence in the legal field. "V" = Highest ethical standards. Martindale Hubbell can be contacted at 1-800-526-4902.
VINCENT J. RUSSO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. has championed the rights of the elderly and persons with disabilities since 1985, and is a leader on Long Island in the field of Elder Law.
Our staff excels in representing our firm as a team of professionals who continually strive for excellence in meeting the ever changing needs of our clients.
We make every effort to collaborate with each other in developing new and effective ways to benefit our clients. Staff meetings, departmental meetings and system meetings provide an open forum and exchange of vital information and new resources.
14. How can I schedule an appointment?
Call us and ask for Judy Murdaugh-Jackson or Sue Tame at our Lido Beach office. At that time, we will take basic information and schedule a convenient appointment with one of our attorneys. You can also speak directly to an attorney during this initial call.
15. Can I contact you by e-mail?
Yes. Our address is info@vjrussolaw.com
16. Where are you located?
WESTBURY OFFICE 1600 Stewart Avenue, |
ISLANDIA OFFICE 3740 Expressway Drive South |
LIDO BEACH OFFICE 250 Lido Boulevard |
WOODBURY OFFICE 7600 Jericho Tpke., Ste. 110 |
17. What are your office hours?
Our office is open five days a week on Monday - Friday
Westbury: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Islandia: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lido Beach: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Woodbury: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Client appointments can be scheduled on the weekend or in the evening, subject to the attorney’s schedule.
18. Can you give me directions to your Nassau County - Westbury office?
Click here to get directions from Mapquest.
WESTBURY OFFICE
1600 Stewart Avenue, Westbury, New York is a seven story white building, on the corner of Stewart and Merrick Avenues, across from Eisenhower Park. Street address signs are posted at both entrances to the parking area. There are limited reserved parking spaces available, adjacent to the main entrance (Suite 300).
FROM LONG ISLAND (SOUTH SHORE)
Southern State Parkway Exit 22N (Meadowbrook Parkway North). Exit M-4 (Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum) — Stay on exit ramp — do not exit at Coliseum. Take exit for Eisenhower Park. You will exit onto Stewart Avenue. The building is immediately on your right.
FROM LONG ISLAND (NORTH SHORE)
Northern State Parkway to Exit 31A (Meadowbrook Parkway South). Exit M-3W (Stewart Avenue). At stop sign merge with traffic and make a left at first traffic light (Stewart Avenue - follow signs to Eisenhower Park). Building will be on your right.
FROM MANHATTAN OR QUEENS
Grand Central Parkway East, which becomes Northern State Parkway East. Exit 31A (Meadowbrook Parkway South). Then, follow same directions above, "From Long Island (North Shore)."
FROM BROOKLYN OR NEW JERSEY
Verrazano Bridge to the Belt Parkway East. Southern State Parkway East to Exit 22N (Meadowbrook Parkway North). Then, follow same directions above, "From Long Island (South Shore)."
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Long Island Railroad to the WESTBURY Station. Taxi service is available.
19. Can you give me directions to your Suffolk County - Islandia office?
Click here to get directions from Mapquest.
SUFFOLK OFFICE
3740 Expressway Drive South, Islandia, New York is a two story gray building conveniently located near the Long Island Expressway (LIE). Our office is on the southwest corner of Exit 58 of the LIE, corner of Old Nichols Road and Expressway Drive South. Enter the parking lot from Old Nichols Road.
FROM EAST (LONG ISLAND)
Take Long Island Expressway to Exit 58 (OLD NICHOLS ROAD). Left at exit traffic light; cross over the LIE. Office will be immediately on your right. Parking off Old Nichols Road in the rear of the building
-or-
SUNRISE HIGHWAY to Exit 51, follow the signs for Route 454 (Veterans Highway). Make right onto Old Nichols Road heading north. Office is on your left hand side at corner of Nichols Road and Expressway Drive South.
FROM WEST (LONG ISLAND)
Take Long Island Expressway to Exit 58 (OLD NICHOLS ROAD). Make a right at the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp and the parking lot to the office will be on your immediate right.
-or-
SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY/NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY to the Sagtikos Parkway to the Long Island Expressway. Then, follow directions above, "From West (Long Island)."
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Long Island Railroad to the CENTRAL ISLIP Station. Taxi service is available.
20. What is the location of your Lido Beach office?
LIDO BEACH OFFICE
The office is located at 250 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, NY 11561 is a two story building, on the southwest corner of Alevard Street, across from the Lido Beach Golf Course. Entrance and parking is in the rear of building, off Alevard Street.
FROM THE MEADOWBROOK PARKWAY
Meadowbrook Parkway (South) to Loop Parkway, Exit M10 (heading to Pt. Lookout/Long Beach) (DO NOT go into Jones Beach). At the end of Loop Parkway (Exit 8), you will come to a T, make a right turn onto Lido Boulevard and proceed EIGHT (8) traffic lights to Alevard Street. At Alevard Street, make a left turn and then a right turn into the parking area.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Long Island Railroad to the LONG BEACH Station. Taxi and bus service are available.
21. What is the location of your Woodbury office?
Click here to get directions from Mapquest.
The Woodbury office is located at 7600 Jericho Tpke., Suite 110 in Woodbury, New York. PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT ENTER THROUGH THE LOBBY. THE OFFICE ENTRANCE IS ON THE OUTSIDE WEST CORNER OF THE BUILDING.
FROM LONG ISLAND (NORTH SHORE): Northern State Parkway to exit 36B onto Seaford Oyster Bay Parkway/NY-135 North toward Syosset. Take the RT-25 E - Exit #14E toward Woodbury. Turn right onto Jericho Tpke./NY-25 E. Immediately on the right side.
FROM LONG ISLAND (SOUTH SHORE): Southern State Parkway to Exit 28A North onto Seaford Oyster Bay Parkway/NY-135 North toward Syosset. Take the RT 25 E - Exit #14E toward Woodbury. Turn right onto Jericho Tpke./NY-25 E. Immediately on the right side.
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