Practice Areas

 Creating an estate plan will ensure that your own health and financial needs are met during your lifetime while also allowing you to control who, what and when receives your money and property upon your death.  A complete Estate Plan includes the following documents : a Durable Power of Attorney, a Health Care Proxy, a Living Will, an Irrevocable Trust and a Last Will and Testament.  These documents will protect your property and assets; provide for the distribution of your property after your death; provide instruction on how to make health care decisions for you should you become incapacitated and state your wishes in connection with end of life health care decisions.  At Patricia Rooney, P.C. we will explore all of your options with you and tailor an estate plan specific to your individual needs.  

 Medicaid is a joint federal and state program which pays for medical care for those who cannot afford it, disabled and/or chronically or permanently ill. Services provided can include but are not limited to doctors and hospital visits, medication, medical supplies, home care, and long term nursing home care.  With proper advance estate planning, individuals in New York can protect their assets for their loved ones while qualifying for Medicaid. At Patricia Rooney, P.C. we will explain the details and implications of Medicaid rules and how they may impact your future plans or goals.  We can assist you with advance planning to preserve your assets, determine if you are eligible for Medicaid and prepare and submit your Medicaid application.  

 Most adults are able to manage their own affairs, make decisions about their finances, their property and any care they need.  However, sometimes due to an injury or an illness a previously competent adult may becomes unable to manage their own affairs.  These individuals are vulnerable and in need of help.  Under these circumstances a Guardianship Proceeding can be initiated in the Supreme Court of New York under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law.  A petitioner, usually a family or loved one of the individual suffering from incapacity, seeks appointment as Guardian in order to make financial and personal decisions for the incapacitated individual.  These decisions can be related to the incapacitated persons financial affairs and property or personal needs.  

Guardianship proceedings can be costly, complex, and often take a long time.  While they can sometimes be avoided with proper advance estate planning including the drafting of a Health Care Proxy, Power of Attorney, Living Will and/or Last Will and Testament, people don't always plan ahead for these types of circumstances.  At Patricia Rooney, P.C. we have extensive experience in all aspects of these proceedings and can help you determine what type of guardianship is most appropriate.  We represent family members petitioning for guardianship over a loved one; accept appointments by the Supreme Court to act as an independent Court Evaluator in guardianships to investigate the circumstances and needs of the alleged incapacitated person and make recommendations based on his/her best interests; act as an independent guardian for several incapacitated individuals and represent alleged incapacitated persons who opposes the appointment of such a guardian.  

 We represent contractors, owners and suppliers engaged in the construction industry in all aspects of construction law including contract drafting and negotiation, insurance coverage disputes, mechanic's liens, litigation, arbitration and mediation.