Business Details
Trusted Elder Law Services in Garden City
The Law Office of David A. Smith, PLLC has served as a trusted Garden City elder law attorney and litigation firm for nearly two decades. Our experienced team provides comprehensive legal solutions in guardianship litigation, estate planning, probate administration, Medicaid applications, and complex civil litigation matters. With decades of combined experience, we offer personalized attention and aggressive representation to clients across Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens Counties.Our practice focuses on protecting clients' rights in contested estate proceedings, nursing home disputes, and mental hygiene law cases while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct. We pride ourselves on handling both straightforward and highly contested matters with equal dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for our clients.
Services
Guardianship Litigation
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Medicaid Applications
Will Contests
Nursing Home Disputes
Mental Hygiene Hearings
Trust Administration
Power of Attorney
Living Wills
Highlights and features
- We have 35+ years of experience in civil litigation and elder law matters
- Our team provides personalized attention to each client's unique needs
- We handle complex contested estate and guardianship proceedings
- Our firm serves multiple counties including Nassau and Suffolk
- We offer aggressive legal representation in nursing home liability cases
Services
Guardianship Litigation
Our firm handles contested guardianship proceedings under New York's Article 81. We represent families seeking court-appointed guardianship for incapacitated loved ones while ensuring compliance with reporting requirements. Our attorneys guide clients through complex legal processes involving elderly care and young adult guardianship matters. With extensive courtroom experience, we protect clients' interests in contested guardianship hearings and annual accounting filings.
Estate Litigation
We represent clients in contested estate matters involving will validity challenges and executor disputes. Our attorneys handle undue influence claims, forgery allegations, and contested probate proceedings. With decades of litigation experience, we protect beneficiaries' rights and challenge improper estate administration practices. Our firm specializes in complex estate disputes requiring thorough legal analysis and aggressive courtroom representation.
Medicaid Planning
Our Medicaid planning services help families navigate nursing home costs and government benefit applications. We assist with Medicaid eligibility strategies while protecting clients' assets. Our attorneys represent clients in Medicaid fair hearings and nursing home discharge appeals. We provide comprehensive guidance for long-term care planning and government benefit compliance matters.
Probate Administration
We guide executors through New York's probate process for validating wills and administering estates. Our services include preparing probate petitions, handling contested will challenges, and ensuring proper estate distribution. We assist with both uncontested probate matters and complex estate administration disputes requiring court intervention and detailed accounting procedures.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services focus on preserving family wealth and avoiding probate. We create customized wills, trusts, and advanced directives to meet clients' unique needs. With decades of experience, we develop tax-efficient strategies for asset protection and intergenerational wealth transfer while ensuring compliance with evolving estate laws and regulations.
People
David A. Smith
Attorney
David A. Smith has over 35 years of experience in civil litigation and elder law matters. He founded the firm nearly twenty years ago to provide comprehensive legal solutions for Nassau County families facing complex estate and guardianship challenges.
Daniel J. Smith
Attorney
Daniel J. Smith specializes in contested estate proceedings and nursing home liability cases. He works closely with families navigating complex probate disputes and guardianship litigation matters across Long Island.
Ryan P. Dougherty
Attorney
Ryan P. Dougherty focuses on Medicaid planning and mental hygiene law cases. He represents clients in nursing home discharge appeals and contested Medicaid application matters throughout Queens and Nassau Counties.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We specialize in elder law, including guardianship litigation, estate planning, probate administration, Medicaid planning, contested wills, and nursing home disputes across Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens Counties.
How can I contest a will?
Our attorneys handle will contests based on undue influence, forgery, or improper execution. We represent clients in Surrogate's Court proceedings challenging or defending will validity claims.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
When someone dies intestate, we assist with letters of administration petitions and guide executors through New York's intestacy laws for estate distribution.
How do I become a legal guardian?
We help families navigate Article 81 guardianship proceedings, preparing petitions and representing clients in court to obtain legal guardianship for incapacitated loved ones.
Can you help with nursing home disputes?
Yes, we represent families in nursing home liability cases, Medicaid-related lawsuits, and discharge appeals to protect residents' rights and financial interests.
What estate planning documents do I need?
We recommend wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and living wills to create comprehensive estate plans that protect assets and ensure your wishes are followed.
