Our attorneys are highly regarded as being among the leading estate planning counselors in the region because of their experience, judgment and sensitivity in advising clients on important personal planning issues. They focus on careful planning and drafting to meet the individualized needs of our clients, helping to assure their property will be distributed to family members and friends upon their death the way they desire, planning for future nursing home and long-term care needs, and minimizing the loss of assets to estate taxes or for long-term care.
They also advise both institutional and personal fiduciaries on various estate and trust administrative issues such as document analysis, unitrust and power to adjust, and settlements. They have extensive experience in both revocable and irrevocable trusts, as well as family limited partnerships, 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 admitted to practice in Florida also assist clients who make Florida their residence with personal financial planning relative to their change, including Florida-specific estate planning documents and representation in domicile audits.
Our attorneys also qualify not-for-profit charitable trusts with the appropriate taxing authorities, serve as trustees for a large community foundation, and work with business executives and owners to meet their business successorship and individual estate planning needs. In addition, financial institutions work closely with us in the drafting and administration of trusts. And, when necessary, our attorneys successfully litigate matters relating to probate and personal planning. Specific services include:
Estate Planning and Administration
- Wills and trust planning and drafting
- Estate and trust administration
- Estate tax planning
- Counseling executors from probate to final distribution
- Development of health care proxies, living wills and powers of attorney
- Guardianships
- Litigation of estate and trust contests and guardianship matters
- Business succession planning
- Not-for-profit qualification
- Preparation of state and federal tax returns
Long-Term Care
- Medicare and Medicaid planning
- 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
Family Legal Issues
- Adoptions
- Name changes
- Prenuptial agreements
Attorneys
Rebecca E. Alesi
Associate
Mary Anne Cody
Partner
Ryan T. Emery
Partner
Ami S. Longstreet
Partner and Co General Counsel
Jillian L. McGuire
Partner
Gay M. Pomeroy
Partner
Anne B. Ruffer
Partner
News
Mackenzie Hughes Adds Three Attorneys
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Mackenzie Hughes LLP’s Managing Partner Richard Engel announces the recent addition of attorneys Robb P. Barrett, Rebecca E. Alesi and Robert R. Hojnacki to the team. Robb P. Barrett joined the firm in January as a partner in the Business Department. He focuses on business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities […]
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. […]
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, […]
Blog
It’s Time to Stop Procrastinating and Start Preparing: Misconceptions About Estate Planning and How You Maybe Inadvertently Giving Your Loved Ones Some Legal Headaches
A 2024 survey report by Caring.com found that only 32% of Americans die with a Will, a 6% decline from 2023. Many legal journalists and analysts predicted that the COVID-19 pandemic would motivate the population to estate plan, however, the Caring.com survey suggests that procrastination and lack of education on the topic are the main […]
And Just Like That: No Estate Tax Changes for 2021 (But 2022?)
The much discussed proposed changes to federal gift and estate taxes has not materialized for 2021. Instead as the law now exists there are more planning opportunities available for 2000. For 2022 the annual gift tax exclusion amount (the amount you can gift to a person without having to utilize the unified credit) will rise […]
Estate Tax Legislation – Where are we now?
In June I wrote that close attention and possibly quick action may be required for estate planning this year. My message is still the same as we continue to watch the legislative negotiations in Washington develop. On September 13 the House Ways & Means Committee released proposals for over $2 trillion dollars in net tax […]