Albany Estate Planning Lawyers | Serving the NY Capital Region

Office Information

Pierro estate planning and elder law attorneys in Albany, NY - Google Map view

43 British American Blvd, Latham, NY 12110

518-459-2100

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Wednesday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Friday: 8:30am – 5:00pm

No one can predict the future, but planning for it can make a world of difference. While comprehensive estate planning can’t stop adverse events from happening, it can protect families from unnecessary stressors like inheritance and divorce disputes, court battles, and high taxes that diminish generational wealth. Careful estate planning is essential if you want to make your wishes clear in the event that you are incapacitated and have your assets and wealth passed on to particular beneficiaries. Lack of a definitive estate plan can lead to family conflicts over inheritance, costly litigation, and your true intentions not being met.

What happens if you can no longer care for yourself or your spouse? How do you determine who will make decisions on your behalf if you can no longer do so? These are other critical questions that will be clearly addressed in a comprehensive estate plan drafted on your behalf and according to your wishes by the world-class team of Albany Estate Planning Attorneys at Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC.

Who We Are

Just like a heart patient needs a cardiologist instead of a family doctor, thorough estate planning requires specialized knowledge, experience and ongoing education. As lawyers who only practice estate and trust law, the Albany-based Pierro, Connor & Strauss team provides thoughtful, strategic planning based on more than 280 years of combined experience. And because planning is all we do, we focus exclusively on maximizing clients’ benefits, minimizing their liabilities and preserving life savings for children and grandchildren. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to work with the premier law firm in the Albany region for estate and trust planning and related elder law services. Reach out today for more information or to get started by scheduling a consultation.

“At PCS, estate planning isn’t just something we do… it’s all we do, and that makes us uniquely equipped to serve you. Clients choose PCS not only for technical skill, but for ongoing guidance and dedication to protecting their legacy. I personally work with clients to form tailored solutions backed by extensive expertise, ensuring their plans are both comprehensive and secure.”

—Patricia Whelan, Attorney

A Word From a Client

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Meet the Partners of Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC

Louis W. Pierro, Esq.

Founding Partner

Because his mother had Alzheimer’s, Mr. Pierro is well aware of the devastation such a disease can wreak on a family. He is a regular speaker across the nation on legal topics that deal with elder law, estate planning, and business planning. He is also a Founder of ElderCounsel, a national membership organization of Elder Law and Special Needs law firms, where he now serves as a consultant.

Most recently, he founded ApolloCare, LLC, a business integrating home care coordination with connected home health technology, providing seniors, families, and caregivers unique opportunities to live independently in their own homes.

Aaron E. Connor, Esq.

Managing Partner

As the head of the firm’s Long-Term Care Planning Department, Mr. Connor advises clients on how best to preserve assets for themselves and their families. One of his focus areas is handling complex trust and estate litigation matters and assisting clients in securing their fair share of an inheritance through discovery, negotiation, and litigation.

Additionally, he utilizes sophisticated estate planning techniques in the establishment of estate tax avoidance vehicles and completing charitable giving in the most tax-efficient manner.

Frank E. Hemming, III, Esq.

Partner

Frank Hemming joined Pierro, Connor & Strauss in 2016 as an Associate Attorney and was promoted to Senior Associate. Due to his achievements in the field of long-term care and Medicaid planning as well as his leadership and recognition among colleagues and clients, Frank was named a Partner in 2024.

He concentrates his practice on helping clients prepare and file both community and chronic care Medicaid applications.

Trusted Legal Counsel for Estate Planning in Albany

Estate planning gives you control in determining how your assets will be preserved, managed, and distributed after death. It also allows for the management of your properties, financial obligations and health care decision-making in the event that you become incapacitated.

Keep in mind that if you do not have a will, your assets may not necessarily go to those you would have chosen. Dying intestate, or without a will, means that your estate’s distribution is subject to New York’s laws of intestate succession.

If you do not have a healthcare proxy and become incapacitated, a third party you did not choose becomes responsible for making healthcare decisions on your behalf.

At Pierro, Connor & Strauss, we pride ourselves on providing highly knowledgeable and trusted legal counsel as well as a broad range of services to ensure proper management and distribution of your assets after you have passed on.

Customized Planning to Fit Your Needs

There is never a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to estate planning. Each plan is tailored to an individual’s or family’s specific circumstances. Our attorneys are well-versed in elder law, elder care, special needs and business planning, as well as navigating difficult family situations.

Strategic estate planning deals with far more than what happens to your assets after you are deceased. The Albany attorneys at Pierro, Connor & Strauss can guide you to protect your assets and avoid spending down life savings to pay for long-term care. Rather than worry, you can enjoy life knowing there is a customized plan in place.

Albany Estate Planning attorneys collaborate in their home office with a client

Our Suite of Estate Planning Services

Our Core Four services include creating advance directives with a will, power of attorney, health care proxy and appointing an agent to be responsible for the disposition of remains.

Your last will and testament is a legal document outlining who receives your assets and property after your death.
The power of attorney permits you to designate someone, either a relative, friend, or professional, to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf if you can no longer do so.
The health care proxy allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are incapacitated.
The disposition of remains appointment (DORA) documents what you want to be done with your body, whether a traditional burial, cremation or other options.

We can help you plan strategically in the following areas to fit your needs while protecting your loved ones:

In addition, we will discuss whether establishing a trust for asset protection is the right choice for you.

Goals of Estate Planning

A good estate plan has several fundamental goals:

Ensure that you maintain your standard of living and that you will be properly provided for throughout your lifetime;
Make sure your wealth reaches the individuals or organizations you select, in the manner in which you choose, with minimum shrinkage from
federal and state transfer and capital gain taxes and administration expenses;
Protect assets from internal claims, disputes and external creditors;
Allow you to select who will handle various administrative and management functions on your behalf, both during life and after your
death; and
Control your family’s future, allowing for the orderly and systematic transfer of one’s wealth to heirs and beneficiaries.

CONTACT AN ALBANY ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY

You deserve the peace of mind that comes with sound, effective estate planning. Contact our attorneys today to design a comprehensive, state-of-the-art estate plan that meets your current and future needs. Choose the Albany team with over 200 years of combined legal experience to answer all your questions and meet the goals of your estate plan.