Free Guide to Specials Needs Planning in New York

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For more than 40 years, Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC has helped New York families protect what matters most through careful planning.

In this 2026 Special Needs Planning Guide, our attorneys share essential insights for families raising or caring for a loved one with disabilities—including how to:

Secure care
Preserve eligibility for benefits
Build a plan that provides stability for life

Expert Guidance for Families Across New York

Every year, millions of Americans serve as caregivers, and one in five people in the U.S. lives with some form of disability.

This growing population faces challenges that extend beyond medical care, from navigating Medicaid and SSI eligibility to ensuring lifetime support when parents or caregivers are no longer able to provide it.

Our 2026 guide distills decades of real-world experience into clear, actionable advice for families in New York.

You’ll learn how to coordinate legal, financial, and care planning to meet your loved one’s needs and maintain their quality of life.

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What Our Clients Have to Say

After a devastating medical event, I would have lost everything that my husband and I had worked for our entire lives. With Frank Hemming’s and Aaron Connor’s knowledge and expertise, we are able to live without the worry of financial loss. I would highly recommend this firm for their help with protecting your assets.

Carole, Poestenkill

I recently had the pleasure of working with Tommaso Marasco to prepare some important paperwork. He was exceptionally thorough, professional, and efficient. Tommaso took the time to explain the details and ensured all documents were accurate and complete. I highly recommend him for any legal needs.

Frank, NYC

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Teacher assisting blind special needs student in the library

What You’ll Learn in the Guide

The Special Needs Planning Guide explains how to:

Build a Future Care Plan that outlines caregiving roles, medical needs, and life preferences.
Understand Supplemental Needs Trusts (SNTs) — how they protect eligibility for Medicaid and SSI while providing additional support.
Use ABLE Accounts to save tax-advantaged funds without endangering benefits.
Plan for Retirement Assets under the SECURE Act 2.0, which allows disabled beneficiaries to stretch distributions over their lifetimes.
Avoid guardianship pitfalls through advance directives, powers of attorney, and health care proxies.
Coordinate advocacy and benefits — from OPWDD services to the Children’s HCBS Waiver and SSDI.

The guide also explains how New York’s programs compare to those in other states, for instance, its relatively generous Community Medicaid benefits, and how families can take advantage of those programs with proper trust planning.

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Meet the Attorneys Behind the Guide

The Special Needs Planning Guide was created by the team at Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC, a firm known for its leadership in elder law, special needs, estate planning, and business succession.

Louis W. Pierro, Esq.

Founding Partner

Founder of Pierro, Connor & Strauss, Louis Pierro is nationally recognized for his leadership in elder law and special needs planning. His passion for helping families plan for care grew from personal experience—and continues to guide his decades-long commitment to empowering clients to age with dignity.

Aaron E. Connor, Esq.

Managing Partner

A seasoned litigator and problem-solver, Aaron Connor thrives on complexity. From trust disputes to guardianships, he designs smart, tailored strategies that protect clients’ rights and preserve their families’ legacies.

Frank E. Hemming III, Esq.

Partner

Frank Hemming found his calling in elder law, helping families protect assets and access care. He leads Pierro, Connor & Strauss clients through complex Medicaid and long-term care planning with calm expertise and genuine compassion.

Tommaso Marasco, Esq.

Associate Attorney

Tommaso Marasco is a seasoned attorney with a wealth of experience in estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, business planning, and real estate.

Planning Ahead Is the Greatest Act of Care

Families often delay planning because it feels overwhelming but, as the guide explains, the greatest risk lies in waiting. Early preparation allows you to:

Protect assets while maintaining access to vital services.
Reduce stress by clarifying who will handle financial and caregiving duties.
Ensure continuity of care and quality of life for your loved one.
Give future trustees and guardians the information they’ll need to make compassionate, informed decisions.

A well-crafted plan isn’t static—it evolves as your family’s needs change. This guide helps you start that process with confidence.

Build a Secure Future with Trusted New York Special Needs Planning Lawyers

Whether you’re beginning the planning process or updating an existing strategy, the attorneys at Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC can help you craft a comprehensive, customized plan for a loved one with a disability.

If you have questions or would like personalized guidance, contact our team today. We’re here to provide the trusted counsel that has guided New York families for over four decades.

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Awards, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Litigation, Long term Care Planning, Tax Planning, Trust Planning

Pierro, Connor & Strauss Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers®

Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC is proud to have seven attorneys recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Awards, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Litigation, Long term Care Planning, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning, Tax Planning, Trust Planning

Pierro, Connor & Strauss Attorneys Named to 2026 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars Lists

Several Pierro, Connor & Strauss attorneys earned recognition on the 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, honoring top attorneys for excellence and peer recognition.

Long Term Care, Long term Care Planning, Medicaid, Medicaid Planning, Trust Planning

How to Use a Trust in Medicaid Planning

Discover how irrevocable, testamentary, and supplemental needs trusts can safeguard your assets, help you qualify for Medicaid, and ensure your family’s financial security.

Estate Planning, Planning, Tax Planning, Trust Planning

Possibilities and Pitfalls: Critical Federal and New York Tax Rules in 2026

If you own assets- a home, Retirement Accounts, savings, investments, a business- and you plan to pass assets to loved ones, the 2026 federal and New York State estate and gift tax rules could directly affect you.

Estate Planning, Long Term Care, Long term Care Planning, Medicaid, Medicaid Planning, Planning, Tax Planning, Trust Planning

A Big Change for Medicaid Applicants with IRAs

New Simplified Rules for 2026 IRA Treatment Under Medicaid: What New York Applicants Need to Know

Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Long term Care Planning, Medicaid Planning, Planning, Trust Planning

Revocable Trusts vs. Irrevocable Trusts: What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Actually Need?

Learn how revocable and irrevocable trusts can play a key role in protecting assets, reducing taxes, and planning for the future.

Awards, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Litigation, Long term Care Planning, Tax Planning, Trust Planning

Pierro, Connor & Strauss Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers®

Pierro, Connor & Strauss, LLC is proud to have six attorneys recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

Estate Planning, Estate Planning Info, Tax Planning, Trust Planning

The OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and its Effect on Estate Planning

At Pierro, Connor & Strauss, we stay closely attuned to developments in Washington, including the extension of the Trump-era tax cuts through the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These sweeping federal tax changes present significant opportunities—but only for those who plan ahead. With the right legal and financial strategies, you can reduce your tax burden, safeguard your legacy, and keep more of your wealth working for the people and causes you care about. As laws and policies shift at the federal, state, and local levels, having a trusted team to guide you through the complexity can make all the difference.

Estate Planning, LGBTQ+, Long Term Care, Long term Care Planning, Planning, Trust Planning

Essential Planning Considerations for LGBTQ+ Adults

Planning for our later years is something we all need to think about, yet for LGBTQ+ adults, this process often comes with unique concerns and considerations that many traditional resources don't address. Understanding these challenges and taking proactive steps can make a significant difference in ensuring dignity, comfort, and quality care as we age.

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2026 New York Special Needs Planning Guide

Download Our Special Needs Planning Guide

Expert Guidance for Families Across New York

What Our Clients Have to Say

What You’ll Learn in the Guide

Meet the Attorneys Behind the Guide

Louis W. Pierro, Esq.

Aaron E. Connor, Esq.

Frank E. Hemming III, Esq.

Tommaso Marasco, Esq.

Planning Ahead Is the Greatest Act of Care

Build a Secure Future with Trusted New York Special Needs Planning Lawyers

Pierro, Connor & Strauss Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers®

Pierro, Connor & Strauss Attorneys Named to 2026 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars Lists

How to Use a Trust in Medicaid Planning

Possibilities and Pitfalls: Critical Federal and New York Tax Rules in 2026

A Big Change for Medicaid Applicants with IRAs

Revocable Trusts vs. Irrevocable Trusts: What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Actually Need?

Pierro, Connor & Strauss Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers®

The OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and its Effect on Estate Planning

Essential Planning Considerations for LGBTQ+ Adults

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