Robert Michael Freedman’s clients depend on the deep knowledge and compassion he brings to his trusts and estates practice. Robert concentrates his practice on elder law and special needs planning.
He has extensive experience in addressing the legal and financial issues of the elderly, and focuses much of his work on elderly clients with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS and other debilitating illnesses.
Planning for family members with special needs is also an important part of Robert’s practice. Beyond the intricacies of the legal issues that arise, he appreciates and understands the daunting circumstances these clients face.
Robert is nationally recognized for advising clients on planning for family members with disabilities, especially Autism and other developmental disabilities, mental illness and physical disabilities.
Robert and his team also provide other services, including advising and applying for government benefits, assisting in nursing home admissions and obtaining homecare services for the elderly, and in obtaining programs and residential placements for individuals with disabilities.
Robert brings more than 35 years of experience to his work for Schiff Hardin clients. He is a founder of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and was elected as one of its first fellows. He was also one of the creators of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association and served as its Chair.
EXPERIENCE:
- Represented a couple with a 50-year-old disabled son who had $600,000 in accounts in his name funded by his parents when he was a child. Qualified the son for Medicaid, which was required for placement in the best community residence. Prepared an estate plan for the parents that provided for them for the rest of their lives, and for their disabled son and other children. The planning documents were drafted so as not to jeopardize their son’s government benefits, ensuring he would be cared for even after their deaths.
- Advised and assisted a client whose husband was being admitted to a nursing home for long-term care. Qualified the husband for Medicaid, thereby protecting their home, retirement accounts, and her income and assets. She was able to preserve their assets for future generations, rather than spending it during her lifetime on her husband’s long-term care.
EDUCATION:
- New York University School of Law, J.D., 1980
- Tufts University, B.A., 1976
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc., Founder, Fellow
- New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section, Founder, Past Chair Executive Committee; Trusts and Estates Section, Executive Committee
Cost
Rate : $$$