Hartmann Doherty Rosa Berman & Bulbulia LLP
Hackensack, NJ
A full-service firm serving companies and individuals across New Jersey, New York and Florida, with offices in Hackensack and Short Hills.
LitigationBusiness & CorporateEmployment+6
Essex County · Elder Law
Elder Law firms in Essex County, NJ
3 firms in Essex County list elder law as a practice area.
Elder Law in Essex County
The firms below have offices in Newark, Short Hills and Verona. Elder law focuses on the legal needs of older adults and their families: paying for long-term care, Medicaid eligibility, guardianship, special needs trusts and protecting a spouse who stays at home.
Fees
Elder law attorneys often charge flat fees for Medicaid applications and planning, and hourly rates for guardianships.
What elder law covers
- Medicaid planning
- Long-term care
- Guardianship
Questions to ask before you hire
- 1. Are you a Certified Elder Law Attorney?
- 2. What can we still do if care is needed soon?
- 3. How do you charge for this kind of matter, and can I see the fee agreement in writing?
- 4. Who will handle my case day to day, and who do I call with questions?
- 5. How many matters like mine have you handled in New Jersey?
Firms
Norris McLaughlin, P.A.
Bridgewater, NJ
About 120 attorneys; started as a two-lawyer practice in Somerville.
Business & CorporateLitigationIntellectual Property+13
Consumer bankruptcy and more, with offices in Wayne, Hackensack, Newark, Secaucus and Clifton.
BankruptcyPersonal InjuryWorkers' Compensation+6
Elder Law guides
All guidesAdult guardianship in New Jersey: how it works and the alternatives
In New Jersey, a guardian for an adult is appointed by the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Probate Part, after a verified complaint is filed with the Surrogate in the county where the person lives. The complaint is generally supported by affidavits from two physicians (or a physician and a licensed psychologist) who examined the person within 30 days, and the court appoints an attorney for the person. Courts can order a limited guardianship, and a power of attorney or health care proxy may avoid court altogether.
6 min read
Special needs trusts in New Jersey: first-party, third-party and ABLE
A special needs trust holds money for a person with a disability without disqualifying them from means-tested benefits like Medicaid and SSI. In New Jersey, a first-party trust holds the person's own money, must be funded before age 65 and must repay Medicaid at death, while a third-party trust funded by family generally has no payback requirement. An NJ ABLE account is a simpler savings option for people whose disability began before age 46.
6 min read
Medicaid for nursing home care in New Jersey: planning basics
In New Jersey, Medicaid long-term care is provided through NJ FamilyCare's Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) program. In 2026, a single applicant generally can have no more than $2,000 in countable resources, and anyone with income over $2,982 a month needs a Qualified Income Trust. Transfers made in the five years before applying are reviewed and can trigger a penalty period.
6 min read