Background/Education:
Bob is a farmer’s son from the Garden State and was raised in the house where his father was born. Bob graduated from Boston University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar. In his first 20 years of practice, he was the managing partner of a transactional law firm with offices located in Freehold and Red Bank, NJ. Bob’s practice focused on real property; representing buyers and sellers of homes, representing zoning and planning boards, and also estate planning and probate administration. Additionally he served a 3 year term as an Appellate Judge of the New Jersey State Division of Tax Appeals.
Bob relocated to Florida, was admitted to the Florida Bar and has been a partner in the law firm of Legacy Law Associates since 1998. Today his practice is devoted to serving his clients by providing counseling and planning designed to identify, define, address, and preserve the values and unique goals of each client family.
Today’s Practice:
Estate Planning is not simply the preparation and signature of documents. The most important part of preparing an estate plan that “works” is the “conversation” which precedes the design. Good planning is not possible without first discussing and defining the goals to be addressed and accomplished. Wills, Powers of Attorney, Revocable Living Trusts are all important planning tools. Which tools should be utilized to accomplish the defined goals? Estate planning is not just about “later” and who gets what after death. Although those instructions are important, perhaps more important are the provisions, instructions and protections in the event of disability. Having current, and comprehensive Durable Powers of Attorney are critical.
Bob devotes much of his time and practice to assisting families who are dealing with the consequence of age related disability. Everyone’s common desire is to care for loved ones at home – for as long as reasonably possible. But when a progressive disability, advancing age, injury, or accident elevate the care level to a point that custodial care is required or mandated, then the staggering cost of such care is the consequence. At that overwhelming, stress filled moment, Bob introduces his client families to Medicaid and guides them carefully through the “Medicaid minefield”.
Professional Affiliations:
The Florida Bar
The New Jersey Bar
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys
Council on Aging of Volusia County
Elder Counsel
Personal Statement:
What do I do? I help my client’s determine and define their planning goals and objectives. I then explain the options and alternatives available to accomplish those goals. If the goal is to secure benefits needed to supplement available income and provide care for a disabled loved one, I first provide reassurance, hope and encouragement. Then I design and explain a personalized strategy intended to protect and preserve assets, and secure eligibility, while adhering rigidly to all of the counterintuitive Medicaid rules, regulations and guidelines.
I am thankful each day for the gifts, talents and abilities that have been entrusted to me and for each new day that grants me the opportunity to use those abilities for benefit of my client families. The first 20 years of my law practice was “transactional’ in nature and impersonal. Today each file represents a “client family” – my client family. Each one is personal to me.