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 White Plains, NY - Legal and financial experts will give free advice during 13 workshops on topics ranging from elder law to wills vs. trusts, smart gifting to children and grandchildren, and age discrimination in the workplace at the 10th annual Senior Law Day in Westchester on Oct. 15.
The program will take place at the Westchester County Center in White Plains from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to seniors, adult children, caregivers and professionals who work with mature adults.
The workshops – including two sessions in Spanish – will be led by elder law attorneys, certified financial planners and professionals from agencies that serve seniors and their families.
“I urge everyone to attend this special program,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “It’s the perfect opportunity for Westchester seniors to get first-hand advice from some of the county’s finest attorneys and financial professionals. Knowledge is power, and best of all it’s free.”
New this year will be a workshop on “What Happens If I Can’t Manage My Own Financial Affairs,” which includes discussion of the consumer-protective changes in New York State’s new power of attorney law, which took effect Sept. 1.
The power of attorney document enables someone to act for a person who becomes incapacitated and unable to act for them themselves. It was enacted, in large part, to stop financial abuse of the elderly. In some cases, seniors have lost most or all of their money to unscrupulous agents.
“The power of attorney reigns supreme as the single most important estate and financial planning document,” said Steven A. Schurkman, a former chairman of the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services and an attorney with Keane and Beane PC in White Plains. (Reporters and Editors: Schurkman is available for interviews about the new law. For more information, call (914) 813-6412).
Other workshop topics will be on “What Happens If I Can’t Make Medical Decisions,” “Estate Planning/Elder Law 101,” “Floating Your Retirement Boat: How to Keep You and Your Investments on an Even Keel,” “How Do I Pay for Long-term Care” and “Planning for the Care of a Loved One Suffering from Memory Loss, Alzheimer’s or Other Dementia.”
There will also be a workshop on “Senior Crime Busters,” which the county initiated in 2008. It is a proactive elder fraud and crime prevention program that provides tips to seniors on how to stay safe and avoid financial exploitation and other scams.
The program will also offer two workshops in Spanish. One will focus on how to select health insurance and prescription drug plans approved by Medicare; the other, services for seniors who are victims of crime or abuse.
A continental breakfast and parking will be free.
In addition, from noon to 1 p.m., lawyers and certified financial planners will offer free, one-on-one, 15-minute consultations. These appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-registration is required for the workshops and pro bono sessions by Oct. 9. Call (914) 813-6400 to sign up. Individuals who enroll in the pro bono sessions must also confirm their reservations on the day of the event.
DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said that Senior Law Day is an important part of the county’s Livable Communities initiative. The initiative’s goal is to create a good quality of life for people of all ages and to enable seniors to remain in their homes as they age with dignity, independence and civic involvement.
“Senior Law Day directly meets those goals,” Carpenter said. “When seniors know their rights and have some understanding of their finances it can make all the difference in the world as to whether they can continue to grow older in their homes and communities or have to move elsewhere.”
She said that since Senior Law Day began a decade ago it has helped more than 2,300 seniors learn about their rights.
“Seniors must be informed,” Carpenter said. “This program is not to be missed.”
Sponsors of Senior Law Day are AARP, Cuddy and Feder LLP, Anthony J. DeVito, PhD. CFP ® Goldfarb Abrandt Salzman & Kutzin LLP, Keane & Beane PC, Littman Krooks LLP, Walsh Amicucci & Pantaleo LLP and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale.
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