Estate planning does not end at the execution of documents. In New York, long-term care risk, incapacity, retirement account rules, and Medicaid eligibility increasingly shape how estate plans must be designed. This program will examine how elder law considerations intersect with traditional estate planning strategies and identify practical drafting and advisory techniques that help plans survive incapacity, long-term care costs, and evolving beneficiary rules.

Attendees will gain a working understanding of how to integrate tax planning, asset protection, retirement account strategy, and Medicaid considerations into comprehensive estate planning for New York clients.

Joanna C. Feldman is a partner with the law firm Maker, Fragale & Di Costanzo, LLP, located in Rye, New York, and Yorktown Heights, New York. Joanna’s practice areas focus on elder law, trusts and estate planning, Medicaid and long-term care planning, probate and estate administration, special needs planning, and guardianships. She supports prospective and existing clients, offering peace of mind and comfort during what can be a difficult and confusing time.

Joanna is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She is also an active member of both the Elder Law and Special Needs (ELSN) and Trusts and Estates Law sections of the New York State Bar Association and is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the ELSN section as a Co-Chair of the Practice Management Committee. Since 2022, she has been a Director on the Board of Directors of the Estate Planning Council of Westchester County and is currently on its Executive Committee as its Secretary. She is also a former member of the Trusts & Estates section and Elder Law and Special Needs Planning committee of the Westchester County Bar Association. She is an active lecturer and volunteer for Westchester County Senior Law Day Collaborative. Licensed to practice in New York, she is a frequent author and speaker on current elder law and estate planning topics.

Joanna received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from American University, Washington College of Law, where she was the Vice Magister of the international legal honor society Phi Delta Phi and tutored children in the community. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University, where her studies concentrated in English Literature, and was an accepted member of a competitive study program in London, England. Prior to joining the firm, Joanna served thirteen years with a prestigious Westchester County law firm primarily representing local governments in all areas of municipal law, including tax certiorari, and counseled elected and appointed officials. She began her legal career appointed to a year-long judicial clerkship during which she advised judges and drafted judicial decisions.

CPA/CFP Continuing Education:

Based upon our interpretation of the New York State Board for Public Accountancy regulations, this event will qualify for one (1) CPE credit in Advisory Services.  Our New York State CPE Sponsor license number is 000783.  

(1) CFP CE - Approved.  CE Sponsor ID Number 6280

Cost:

$50 MEMBERS (+ $25 Refundable Deposit)
$60 NON-MEMBERS (+ $25 Refundable Deposit)