Over the years, the law firm of Andora & Romano L.L.C has helped to resolve those legal issues of primary concern to the elderly, disabled, consumers of mental health services, their families and the healthcare professionals responsible for their care. In doing so, the firm has represented both the individual and his or her family, as well as various health care facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, and health care agencies throughout the state. In representing individuals and their families, we emphasize planning techniques which assist with the preservation of assets and supplementation of monthly income by accessing various government benefits, including those provided through Medicaid and the Veterans Home for the State of New Jersey. Our goal is to confront the individual's long-term care needs while avoiding financial impoverishment.
More recently, Michele’s practice area has focused on estate and probate matters including Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation and Guardianship Actions.
Our staff attorneys have years of experience handling real estate transactions for individuals, corporations, partnerships and estates, which we perform on a regular basis.
Condominium Law
Following law school, Michele represented commercial and private banking lenders in the closing of substantial real estate transactions throughout the United States. She then went on to serve as a meticulous and well-respected attorney at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP in New York City where she represented clients in the developing, managing and selling of traditional and mixed use condominiums. Over the years, Michele developed a vast background in complex real estate transactions with a focus on financing and condominium law.
Our firm represents many disabled individuals living in the community and in facilities across the state. For those already receiving SSI or SSDI benefits, the receipt of monies from an inheritance or personal injury settlement may adversely affect their benefits, including Medicaid benefits which often cover the high cost of prescriptions and other medical services. Under federal and state regulations, the assets of a disabled person under the age of 65 may be held in a Special Needs Trust so that he/she may retain Medicaid and other government benefits while retaining the use of the assets in the trust. The drafting and administration of these trusts is highly regulated. Our staff attorneys have years of experience drafting these trusts and assisting clients with every day administration issues.
Medicaid Planning
Mr. Romano provides presentations on health care law to the community. He has in the past provided classes to the general public with reference to Advance Directives and Medicaid planning through the Adult Education Programs of Bergen Community College, Warren County College, and Sussex County College. In addition, he assists various nursing homes and hospitals with the fulfillment of their obligations under “The New Jersey Advance Directives for Health Care Act†and “The Patient Self Determination Act.â€
Michele joined Andora & Romano in 2021, bringing to the firm her diverse background in these areas of law. She is a member of both the Elder and Disability Law and Real Property Trust and Estate Law Sections of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Wills
Our firm also advises clients with respect to estate planning. A Last Will and Testament is an important part of a client’s estate plan. We are able to advise clients of the drafting techniques, including trusts, disclaimers, etc., available to accomplish their goals and minimize state and federal estate and inheritance taxes.
Trusts
Once a loved one has passed away, our firm is able to assist his/her family through the probate process and estate and/or trust administration. Our attorneys and staff have experience preparing and filing New Jersey estate and inheritance tax returns/waivers in addition to federal estate tax returns.
Power of Attorney
Our firm has assisted families with estate and disability planning. We regularly prepare Durable Financial Powers of Attorney, Proxy Direction (Medical Powers of Attorney), and Instructive Directives (Living Wills) so that our clients’ loved ones will be able to assist them with financial and medical decision-making should they become too ill to manage their own affairs.
Robert J. Romano, Jr., Esq. is available to provide workshops and seminars for various facilities, groups (large and small) and organizations throughout the state regarding such issues as Patient’s Rights, Advance Directives, Estate/Tax planning, Medicaid law and Special Needs planning.