About Us
You come to
because our expertise in
You and Your Family
DG
ELDER LAW COUNSEL
DeVito & Gartland, P.C.
Estate and Elder Law
will protect
Our focus
DeVito and Gartland is a locally known law firm with a primary focus on Elder Law and Estate Planning.
Quality and Personal care
We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and the personal care and attention that we provide to each of our clients. Our team is dedicated to the highest level of client service.
Protect yourself
Nursing home care can be expensive. Trust us to design a plan that protects your assets and gets you the care you deserve.
Medicaid made easy
Some seniors aren't even aware that they qualify for Medicaid! We can make sure that you get the care that you're entitled to.
Trust and Estate Planning
Take advantage of our expertise in trust and estate planning to protect your property during life and to develop plans for a smooth and cost-effective distribution of wealth after death.
Our Services
Our Attorneys
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About Us
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Our Services
Elder Law
Elder Law is a specialized area of law that focuses on the intricacies associated with the aging population. As such, we carefully and effectively prepare our clients for Medicaid assistance, nursing home care, and assisted living, while protecting as much of an individual’s assets as possible.
As every family has a unique situation, we can provide you with different strategies so that you and your family can make informed decisions.
Special Needs
Our Attorneys also assist parents of children or adults with the special needs by preparing trusts to benefit the special needs individual. These trusts are designed to enhance the life of the special needs individual by providing him or her with additional luxury items while such individual receives public assistance.
Estate Planning
If you have assets, children, same sex spouses, or are in a second marriage, you should have an estate plan in place. Estate plans are not just for wealthy individuals. A basic estate plan includes a simple Will, Power of Attorney form, Health Care Proxy form, and Living Will.
With these documents in place you are communicating your wishes with regard to how you would like your assets, including personal items, distributed upon your death, nominating guardians for your children, your wishes with regard to your health care and financial decisions in the case of incapacity.
Estate and Trust Administration
If you have assets, children, same sex spouses, or are in a second marriage, you should have an estate plan in place. Estate plans are not just for wealthy individuals. A basic estate plan includes a simple Will, Power of Attorney form, Health Care Proxy form, and Living Will.
With these documents in place you are communicating your wishes with regard to how you would like your assets, including personal items, distributed upon your death, nominating guardians for your children, your wishes with regard to your health care and financial decisions in the case of incapacity.
Estate Litigation
When disputes arise over the validity of a will or the distribution of assets, our attorneys vigorously advocate for our clients in all facets of estate litigation. Our attorneys have handled numerous disputes before the Surrogate’s Court and are highly knowledgeable when it comes to Surrogate’s Court practice.
Guardianships
Our attorneys prepare and file petitions seeking guardianship appointment as well as advocate for clients who do not feel an appointment is necessary. We also assist fiduciaries in the preparation of their initial and annual reports/accountings. Several of our attorneys have gained their expertise in this area by being appointed by the Courts to serve as Court Examiners, Court Evaluators, and Guardians.
Taxation
Some of our attorneys are also certified public accountants that have extensive experience in the preparation of personal, corporate, fiduciary and estate returns. In addition to the preparation of returns, our attorneys have defended clients before the Internal Revenue Service and various tax authorities, and have obtained favorable private letter rulings.
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Elder Law
Special Needs
Estate Planning
Estates and Trusts
Guardianships
Taxation
Estate Litigation
Melissa L. Forgas-Gartland
Prior to starting DeVito & Gartland, P.C., Ms. Gartland was a Senior Attorney with a mid-sized firm, where she managed the firm's Estate Administration Department. The firm focused on Elder Law, Wealth Preservation, Estate Administration and Fiduciary Services, Estate Litigation, and Transactional and Business Services.
Ms. Gartland began her legal career with Long Island's largest law firm, where she was involved with all aspects of Estate Planning and Asset Protection Planning, as well as Estate and Trust Administration for high net worth clients.
Ms. Gartland is a graduate of Hofstra University and New York Law School, where she, under the supervision of an attorney, successfully represented clients seeking political asylum, before the New York City Immigration Court.
Ms. Gartland is admitted to practice law in New York and is a member of the Suffolk and Nassau County Bar Associations and Suffolk County Women's Bar Association. She is also a Charter Member of the National Aging in Place Council (Long Island Chapter).
Ms. Gartland also serves as a Court Examiner overseeing fiduciaries and determining whether they have performed their court ordered duties.
Every someday needs a plan
Retirement starts with a vision, and comes to life with a plan. With our insights and expertise, we can help you get to your own personal someday.
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Contact Us
DeVito & Gartland, P.C.
369 East Main Street, Suite 8
East Islip, NY 11730
Tel: 631-581-0381
Fax: 631-581-2846
Melissa L. Forgas-Gartland, Esq.
gartland@dglawpc.com
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© 2015 DeVito & Gartland, P.C.