Frequently Asked Questions

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 and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

(Other times: By Appointment Only)

Manhattan (New York City):   By Appointment Only

Client appointments can be scheduled on the weekend or in the evening, subject to the attorney’s schedule.

How can I schedule an appointment?

Call us and ask for Susan Hellmuth or Janet Corsetti.  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.

What counties does Vincent J. Russo & Associates, P.C. serve?

We serve New York families in Nassau County, Suffolk County, New York (Manhattan), Queens County and Kings County (Brooklyn) from our four offices in Westbury, Islandia, Lido Beach and Manhattan.

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.

Do you make home visits?

Yes, we make home visits, when necessary, subject to travel and other related charges.

What is your fee to meet regarding an Elder Law Matter?

Our fee for the initial consultation is $400 per hour, which includes a scheduled appointment, review of any and all existing documents, as well as a summary letter.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What legal services does the law firm provide?

VINCENT J. RUSSO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. provides the following legal services: