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Elder Law & Disability Planning

With his wife in a nursing home, an elderly gentleman with a medical condition turned to Mackenzie Hughes to help him secure 24-hour home care through Medicaid using a caregiver of his choice. Through advocacy and negotiations with a variety of healthcare agencies in Onondaga County, Mackenzie Hughes secured the services he needed—making it the first case in Onondaga County where Medicaid covered 24-hour home care.

Because of our experience, judgment and sensitivity in advising clients on important personal planning issues, our attorneys are highly regarded as being among the leading elder law counselors in the region. We focus on careful planning and drafting to meet the individualized needs of our clients, helping to assure their property will be suitably preserved in the event of potential future nursing home and long-term care needs, and minimizing the loss of assets for long-term care.

We also advise individuals with disabilities and their family members so that maximum asset preservation is achieved for disabled children and adults. We have extensive experience in both revocable and irrevocable trusts and will provide clear-cut explanations on whether these documents are recommended and, if so, what they mean and will do for you.

Our attorneys are experienced in the area of guardianships and work closely with clients in establishing guardianships as appropriate.

Specific services include:

  • Medicare and Medicaid planning, including asset preservation and trusts
  • Consulting on long-term care insurance coverage
  • Private medical insurance
  • Long-term care policies
  • Assistance regarding cost/availability of long-term care in Central New York
  • Planning regarding transfers of assets for Medicaid eligibility purposes
  • Trust planning, including revocable, irrevocable and supplemental needs trusts
  • Planning for individuals with disabilities
  • Guardianships for individuals with disabilities as well as elderly individuals

Attorneys

News

Mackenzie Hughes Thanks Anne B. Ruffer for her leadership role, Elects Richard C. Engel Managing Partner, Appoints James H. Nicoll Business Department Chair

Attorney Anne B. Ruffer electively stepped down as the firm’s Managing Partner effective December 31, 2023, after serving in that role for six years.  During that time, she oversaw the day-to-day firm operations, worked in supporting the firm’s various practice areas, managed its fiscal responsibility, encouraged attorneys’ community involvement, and advanced the firm’s positive culture.  […]

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Nine Mackenzie Hughes Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers

Nine attorneys from Mackenzie Hughes LLP were recognized in the 2023 edition of Super Lawyers. Those recognized as “Super Lawyers” include: Clayton H. Hale, Jr., tax; Stephen T. Helmer, business litigation, personal injury – medical malpractice, civil litigation; Ami S. Longstreet, elder law, estate planning & probate; Jillian L. McGuire, family law; Edward J. Moses, […]

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Four Mackenzie Hughes attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers

Four attorneys from Mackenzie Hughes LLP were recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Included are Stephen T. Helmer in the fields of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants; Ami S. Longstreet in Elder Law; Edward J. Moses in Corporate Law; and Gay […]

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Blog

The Best Gift To Your Family (and it doesn’t cost a thing)

There is one gift you can easily assemble in under ten minutes, at no cost, that will someday be greatly appreciated by your loved ones. A letter of instruction can provide great comfort and relief to your family when you are not available to provide guidance in person.

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Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets

On September 29, 2016, Governor Cuomo signed into law a new statute amending the New York Estates Powers and Trusts Law in relation to the administration of digital assets.

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Estate Planning – Much More Than Signing a Will

In the age of the internet, there is a growing trend amongst the American populace who decide they need a Will to avoid the cost of a lawyer and use a legal services website like Legal Zoom® or use some free Will form found on the internet. However, there are many dynamics that go into […]

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