Attorney Biography

I have spent more than four decades helping families protect what matters most.

I began practicing law in 1981, and elder law and estate planning have been my calling ever since. Not because they are the most glamorous areas of law, but because the work genuinely matters. When a family comes to me, they are often facing something they have never dealt with before. A parent with dementia. A child with a disability. A spouse in a nursing home. A lifetime of savings that could disappear in a matter of years. These are real problems with real consequences, and I take that responsibility seriously.

My practice focuses exclusively on Elder Law and Estate Planning, including Medicaid and asset preservation, wills, trusts, planning for special needs and disability, guardianships, and estate and trust administration.

My approach is simple: I listen first.

Before I recommend anything, I want to understand your situation. Not just the legal facts, but what you are worried about, what you are hoping for, and what matters most to your family. I take the time to hear you out before I say anything, because the right plan for your family has to start with your family, not a standard template.

Nobody wants to think about death or disability. But having a plan in place is one of the most important things you can do for the people you love. It puts you in control. It spares your family the expense, the delay, and the frustration of trying to sort things out without guidance at the worst possible moment. That is what I am here to help you avoid.

I am a frequent lecturer in many elder law fields, which means I stay current on the changes in Medicaid rules, New York estate law, and planning strategies that affect my clients. The law in this area moves constantly, and the difference between a plan that holds up and one that falls apart often comes down to details that someone missed.

I built a boutique practice by design.

I could have grown a larger firm. I chose not to. I practice as a solo attorney because I believe that when you hire me, you deserve to work with me. Not be passed along to someone you have never met. When you call my office, I am the person who picks up the phone and I am the person who knows your file.

My practice serves families throughout Sullivan County, Orange County, and Ulster County, including Liberty, Middletown, Newburgh, Goshen, Kingston, Wurtsboro, and just about every town and village within these three counties. I have worked with clients from across New York State, but the mid-Hudson region is my home and these are my neighbors.

I have seen what happens to families who put this off. I have also seen the relief that comes from having everything in order. That relief is what I am here to help you find.

I am here when you are ready.

I offer a free initial consultation because I think every family deserves the chance to understand their options before committing to anything. No pressure and no obligation. If I can help you, I will tell you how. If someone else is a better fit for your situation, I will tell you that too.

Martin Hersh, Esq.