Penny B. Kassel

Penny B. Kassel, Esq. established The Law Offices of Penny B. Kassel, P.C., with offices in Garden City, Hauppauge, and East Hampton. Ms. Kassel comes to the legal profession with a unique background. With a Master's Degree in Counseling and after working for a pharmaceutical company, Ms. Kassel spent many years handling personal injury and medical malpractice cases. For almost 20 years she has devoted the majority of her time to estate planning and administration and to elder law matters.

Ms. Kassel is a supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and has raised more than $30,000 in the past years for important research by completing three 100-mile Bike Rides, the Long Island Half Marathon, and numerous triathlons, through her participation with Team in Training. Ms. Kassel is an honoree of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's 2005 Program Award, and an Honoree of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in 2004 and 2005. She was an Honoree of the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation, served for many years as chair of their legal advisory committee and is still active on that committee. She is a past director of the Nassau County Bar Association and former chair of its Elder Law Committee. She handles elder law matters for the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and is a frequent lecturer for medical facilities, bar associations, financial planners and community organizations. Ms. Kassel was a member of the Board of Directors of Nursing Sisters Home Care and hosted the radio show, "Planning with Penny" on WLUX.

Ms. Kassel spends a good deal of time presenting seminars and discussion groups to attorneys and lay people with regard to elder law matters and guardianships for elderly or infirmed/handicapped family members. She strongly believes that everyone, young and old alike, should have the information necessary to plan for their future, their children's futures and even their parents' futures. She expertly explains the benefits and drawbacks of having such documents as a Last Will and Testament, Revocable or Irrevocable Trust, Health Care Proxy, Living Will and the importance of appropriate ownership of real property. She emphasizes the importance of protecting assets and ensuring that documents are drawn up to reflect her clients' wishes.

Ms. Kassel understands the sensitive nature of elder law matters and planning for the future. Her clients appreciate her gentle nature and her ability to explain the law, allowing them to make informed decisions.

Legal Experience

The Law Offices of Penny B. Kassel, P.C.
Formerly The Law Offices of Penny Kassel & Associates, P.C.
100 Ring Road, Garden City, New York
Founder, June 2002-present
Elder Law, Real Estate, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice

Bellavia & Kassel, P.C.
200 Old Country Road, Minneola, New York
Founding Partner, June 1987-June 2002
Elder Law, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice

Furey & Furey
600 Front Street, Hempstead, New York
Associate, Sept. 1983-June 1987
Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury Litigation

Martin, Clearwater & Bell
200 East 42nd Street, New York, New York
Legal Assistant, Sept. 1982-May 1983
Motion Practice, Preparation for expert review, production of status reports

Work Experience

Merck Company
Detail Person, 1978-1980

Various High Schools
Nassau County and upstate New York
Guidance Counselor/French Teacher, 1970

Associations:

• Member of Board of Trustees of Nursing Sister Home Care

• Member of Legal Advisory Panel to the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation

• Former Chair of Legal Advisory Panel to the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation

• Formerly the host of "Planning with Penny" on WLUX Radio

• Former Director of the Nassau County Bar Association

• Former Chairperson of the Nassau County Bar Association's Elder Law Social Service and Health Advocacy Committee; current an active Member

• Member of National Academy of Elderly Law Attorneys. National Association of Women Business Owners. American Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association, Nassau County Women's Bar Association, Jewish Lawyers Association of Nassau County

• Lemon Law Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association

• Speaker at training for new AAA Lemon Law Arbitrators

• Lecturer for Nassau County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and American Bar Association. Frequent lecturer at hospital, nursing homes, senior citizen centers and adult education.

• Extensive litigation in the areas of subrogation; medical malpractice; personal injury; and insurance claims.

Publications:

A Simple Guide to Understanding the Complexities of Elder Law

Choosing the Proper Venue for Medicaid

A Guide to Commonly Used Terms in Elder Law

Basic Requirements for Disclaimers

Dispositive Instruments in Estate Planning

Family Limited Partnerships

Changes To Gift & Estate Tax Law

Guardianship & Proper of Attorney compared

Home Care or Lombardi

How to Choose an Elder Law Attorney

Supplemental Needs Trust

Use of A Family Limited Partnership

Memorial Trusts for Children of WTC Victims

Medicaid and Real Property Lines

Medicaid Resources and Income

Essential Legal Documents for Estate Planning and Disability Planning

The Importance of A Power Of Attorney

Reverse Mortgages

Tax & Medicaid Consequences of Gifting

The Role of an Elder Law Attorney

Using Trusts In The Medicaid Context

Treatment of Retirement Funds in Determining Medicaid Eligibility