Pierro, Connor & Strauss is proud to announce that it has once again been awarded a National Tier 1 ranking in Trusts & Estates Law in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®. This prestigious honor, awarded for the third consecutive year by Best Lawyers®, reflects the firm’s consistent excellence and dedication to client service.

Americans are living longer.  The 2020 US Census demonstrates that the average life expectancy for males was 74.5 years and 80.2 years for females compared with an average 71.9 years fifty years ago. We have come out of the Covid-19 pandemic – albeit with terrible loss of life – but with a better understanding of communicable disease and the likelihood of even greater longevity. That’s the good news. But the bad news is that the demographics also show that half of all persons who attain 85 years of age will be unable to perform the basic activities of daily living because of physical or cognitive illness. The large majority of those incapacitated persons who cannot perform personal and financial tasks for themselves have not signed legal documents designating others to act for them. A guardianship proceeding may be then be the best course of action.

Man and woman on couch having conversation

Deciding to end a marriage as an older adult is increasingly common. If your marriage ended later in life, you could be part of the “gray” divorce trend.

AARP reports that Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are the generation with the highest divorce rates. Divorce among older adults in the United States has been on the rise since 1990. By 2019, 36 percent of divorces involved people 50 and older.

When a loved one passes away, it’s important to get a death certificate. This document is necessary to handle the financial and legal affairs of the deceased person, called Estate Administration. You are eligible to obtain the certificate if you are the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased, or if you have a documented lawful right or claim, medical need or possess a NYS Court Order.

Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC is proud to have seven attorneys recognized in the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Two of the attorneys are being honored for the first time.

Pierro, Connor & Strauss is proud to announce the promotion of Frank E. Hemming III to Partner, effective July 2024. Hemming joined the firm in 2015 as an Associate Attorney, and through his dedication and expertise, was promoted to Senior Associate. Today, Hemming’s accomplishments in the field of long-term care and Medicaid planning, along with his leadership and recognition for excellence among colleagues and clients, have earned him a place on the Firm’s management team alongside partners Louis W. Pierro and Aaron E. Connor.

Often people start an estate plan with a will, providing for your loved ones after you have passed away by designating who should receive your property, money, retirement accounts and life insurance policies. But have you considered the power of trusts in securing your estate? In this article, discover how they offer complex options all in one place to customize your plan for probate avoidance, flexibility, asset protection, tax savings and even charitable giving.

In the complex and frequently changing landscape of health care in the United States, Medicaid stands out as a vital program. Since 1965, it has provided essential coverage to millions of low-income individuals and families. Alongside Medicare, Medicaid serves as a lifeline for those who may otherwise struggle to afford health care services.

By: Theresa M. Skaine, Esq.

Corporate Planning to Acquire, Merge Businesses, or Close Out

As a business owner and corporate law planner, I’ve witnessed the excitement and potential pitfalls involved in buying or selling a business. Whether you’re looking to expand your portfolio through acquisition or considering selling your hard-earned venture, there are important legal aspects to consider before diving in. Proper legal planning can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth transaction and protecting your interests.

Estate planning is an important consideration for all couples. However, for LGBTQ+ couples (or former couples), it may be more important than they realize to review their circumstances and see whether they have an estate plan in New York that accurately reflects their wishes.