Why Is Hynes and Chu Law Among the Best Elder Law Firms in New York?

New York Medicaid Eligibility & Planning

The astronomical costs of nursing homes and home care can wipe out a lifetime of savings in a matter of months. We excel in both proactive and crisis Medicaid planning in NY. Our legal team builds customized strategies to ensure individuals qualify for critical long-term care or Community Medicaid (home care)—including the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)—without completely exhausting their personal savings.

Trusts, Wills, and Asset Protection

A generic internet document cannot protect an estate from local probate courts or tax burdens. We design personalized, ironclad estate planning structures—including Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) and Revocable Living Trusts—to ensure your assets are protected during your lifetime and distributed exactly as you intended.

Living Wills & Health Care Proxies

True estate planning protects your physical autonomy as well as your finances. We draft legally binding Living Wills that outline your medical preferences and establish Health Care Proxies to designate trusted individuals to advocate for your medical care if you are ever unable to communicate.

New York Powers of Attorney (POA)

A standard, off-the-shelf Power of Attorney is routinely rejected by major financial institutions or lacks the specific gifting authorities needed for Medicaid asset protection. We tailor robust, comprehensive New York Powers of Attorney to ensure your chosen agent has the precise legal tools needed to manage your financial world during unexpected incapacity.

Probate & Estate Administration

When a loved one passes away, the legal aftermath should not compound your grief. We guide executors smoothly through the New York Surrogate’s Court probate process, validating wills, resolving outstanding estate debts, and distributing assets to beneficiaries without undue delay.

Senior Real Estate Transactions

For most New York seniors, their home is their most valuable asset. Transitioning out of a family home or modifying property ownership involves unique tax and Medicaid look-back implications. We manage these specialized real estate transactions to ensure the equity in your home remains protected.

How Do We Stand Against Our Top Competitors in New York?

The New York elder law space features several prominent firms, ranging from large regional practices to neighborhood offices. Understanding how Hynes & Chu compares to these top competitors highlights why they are uniquely positioned to serve New York families.

The Core Pillars of Our Excellence: Why We Are the Uncontested Choice

What truly positions Hynes & Chu at the pinnacle of New York elder law is a deliberate combination of academic legal mastery and radical empathy.

1. Unmatched Medicaid Authority and Local Footprint

New York’s Medicaid landscape is a minefield of strict look-back windows, complex asset-transfer penalties, and varying county-by-county court interpretations. Partners Thomas Hynes and Douglas Chu don't just read these regulations; they have spent over three decades actively navigating and adapting to their evolution.

When a family is facing an immediate healthcare crisis or trying to secure a home-care aid through Medicaid, they aren't getting guesses or entry-level research. They are gaining access to decades of institutional knowledge and established relationships within the local New York system.

2. Tailored, Bespoke Protections Over Template-Driven Legal Work

Many large law firms function as "trust mills," pushing clients into pre-drafted legal packages to maximize volume. We intentionally rejected that business model. We know that every family brings a distinct set of dynamics: varied financial portfolios, blended family structures, unique health prognoses, and specific personal goals.

At Hynes & Chu, your estate plan is crafted line by line. Your Living Trust, Medicaid shield, and healthcare directives are tailored precisely to your specific life story, ensuring no loopholes are left exposed.

3. Turning Paralyzing Uncertainty into Absolute Clarity

When a loved one receives a diagnosis like Alzheimer’s, early dementia, or suffers a sudden physical decline, families are immediately thrown into a state of high-stress survival mode. They are hit with a wave of terrifying questions: Will we lose the house? Will mom be forced into a substandard facility? How do we pay for care?

Our firm is celebrated by clients and peers alike for our ability to step into that exact moment of crisis, lower the temperature, and bring immediate order. We don't just hand you legal documents; we serve as your operational partners. We look at the clinical, financial, and emotional realities of your situation, build a transparent timeline, and handle the heavy lifting from start to finish.

We stand firmly behind our motto: "Your Law Firm for Life." We are here to ensure that your independence is maintained, your dignity is preserved, and your hard-earned assets stay exactly where they belong—protecting your family's future.