Sullivan County Estate Planning Lawyers

Tricia E. Connolly - Attorney | J.D. | M.B.A. |NYPD Sergeant Detective | Marine Corps Veteran Tricia "Trish" Connolly has dedicated two decades of her life to serving the vibrant communities of New York City with the NYPD. She also served over 11 years as a devoted officer in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Major. Today, she is just as passionately committed to ensuring that legal services are not only affordable, but also accessible, for everyone she supports, striving to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Trish began her law enforcement career on patrol in the 13th...

Nancy Burner is Founder and Partner of Burner Prudenti Law, (successor firm to Burner Law Group P.C.) a women-owned trust & estates and elder law firm established in 1995. She is also a Founding Member of Mediation Solutions of NY, Suffolk County’s first full-service mediation and arbitration company. With nearly three decades of experience, Nancy has been recognized as one of New York’s prominent elder law and trust & estates attorneys. She holds the designation of a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), awarded by the National Elder Law Foundation as accredited by the American Bar Association. Since 2014, Nancy has been...

Jeffrey B. Novak is an attorney practicing in Tiveron Law’s Litigation Department with a focus on Business & Corporate Law. Mr. Novak graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Buffalo with a major in Political Science and History. He received his legal education from the George Washington University Law School while interning for the Army Environmental Law Division. Mr. Novak also served as a summer Law Clerk for the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York and as a Judicial Intern for the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. Mr. Novak has...

Diane Tiveron is a Partner and the Chairperson of the Corporate & Business Law Department at Tiveron Law PLLC. With over 29 years of legal experience and a educational background in economics and business administration, Ms. Tiveron assists clients with business formations (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporations, and limited liability companies), acquisitions, sales or dissolutions, as well as the preparation of any commercial document/contract, ranging from an employment agreement to a lease. She counsels non-for-profit organizations on nonprofit law and governance, obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status and 501(c) classifications. Ms. Tiveron also advises individuals and businesses with bankruptcy issues (Chapter...

Jessica Peraza is Counsel working with the firm’s Trusts & Estates Department. She focuses her practice on Estate Planning and Administration, Medicaid and Long-term Care Planning, and Wealth Management. As a law student, she interned for the Hon. Barbara Howe in Erie County Surrogate’s Court and worked in the Public Benefits Unit of Neighborhood Legal Services. Her previous experience includes residential foreclosures, public and private sector labor law, contract negotiations, probate matters, third party credit collections, and representation of clients in administrative hearings and arbitrations. Ms. Peraza attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York where she graduated with a...

With nearly three decades of experience practicing Bankruptcy law and Social Security law in Buffalo, Paul Pochepan is able to help consumers facing financial hardships and disabled individuals and their dependents. He has helped many Western New York consumers navigate the bankruptcy system under chapter 7 or chapter 13. He also helps Buffalo-area residents apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or appeal Social Security Administration decisions denying, reducing or revoking benefits. He has accumulated a wealth of knowledge regarding the multiple medical impairments afflicting disability claimants and dealing with the medical profession to secure the...

There are times in life when you need the help of a legal professional who cares about you. Everything I do revolves around my core values of Honesty, Integrity and Loyalty. I take a compassionate approach toward my clients who are often dealing with some of the most difficult situations life can serve up. Dealing with the everyday legal tasks associated with divorce, custody, support, aging parents, traffic fines, or planning for the future can be stressful and I'm here to help you find your way through. I aim to provide a friendly family atmosphere with a reputation for timely personalized...

J. Michael Kelleher graduated cum laude from St. Bonaventure University with a B.A. in 1967, and received his legal education at the University Of Notre Dame, graduating in 1970. Mr. Kelleher was Town Justice for the Town of Lancaster from 1975 to 2014 and is Senior Counsel at Tiveron Law since joining the firm in 2011. Mr. Kelleher has focused his practice in commercial and residential real estate as well probate, estate planning, and corporate law since 1970. He is a member of the Real Estate and Estate Practice and Procedure Committees of the Erie County Bar Association. Mr. Kelleher has lectured...

Jeffrey Tyrpak, an Amherst native, attended Fordham University and obtained his BA in International Political Economy in 2010. In 2013, he earned his JD at UB Law School with a concentration in Finance Transactions.

He started practicing law at a small firm in New York City before returning home and joining our team in December of 2016. While working in New York City, Mr. Tyrpak handled litigation in federal court regarding collective bargaining agreements and ERISA for employee benefit funds. He also worked on government compliance matters under the Affordable Care Act and ERISA.

Currently, Mr. Tyrpak resides in HoganWillig's Real Estate...

In law school, Mr. London specialized in taxation and after graduation joined a large firm in Buffalo where his practice emphasized tax planning for businesses, individuals and estates. Mr. London established his own practice which over the years grew through referrals from clients, accountants and lawyers. His business clients are both small and large U.S. and Canadian companies and credit unions. "When clients have had unusual challenges I have often been able to fashion unique solutions which enabled a transaction to occur. I believe it is not sufficient for a lawyer to tell a client why something can't be done...

Stephen R. Silverstein concentrates his practice in the areas of estate and disability planning, estate administration, guardianships and elder law.

He is a graduate of the University of Rochester and the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law. He is a former bank trust officer, where he worked on administration of estates, trusts and employee benefit plans.

Mr. Silverstein is a member of the Bar Association of Erie County Surrogate’s Court Committee and serves as the Committee’s Recording Secretary. He is also a member of the Bar Association of Erie County Elder Law Committee and...

As a Senior Associate at Tully Rinckey, PLLC, Christine is part of the Family and Matrimonial Law group, where she focuses on divorce and child custody cases. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in family and matrimonial matters, working as both a private practitioner and public defender. She is also a member of the Tully Rinckey Trust and Estates group, representing persons with a wide variety of estate planning and directives.

Before joining Tully Rinckey, Christine spent 10 years as a Court Attorney and Referee to the Hon. Patricia Gallaher, acting state Supreme Court Justice and Family Court Judge...

Spencer’s experience across diverse areas of the law enables him to provide effective legal advice and services to a variety of clients, including those who require legal assistance in the areas of: Estate Planning; Estate and Trust Administration; Drafting wills, trusts, health care proxies and durable powers of attorney; Related Elder Law matters such as planning for nursing home costs and Medicaid eligibility; Estate litigation; and Commercial and Residential Real Estate Transfers and Leasing.

Jeffrey M. Johnstone is Of Counsel in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Rochester office, where his practice is concentrated in estate planning, trusts, estate administration. He is admitted to practice in New York and Florida, in addition to the U.S. Court for the Western District of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the U.S. Tax Court. Prior to joining Tully Rinckey, Jeffrey was an equity Partner with Harris, Chesworth, O’Brien, Johnstone & Welch, LLP. Upon graduating from law school, Jeffrey became associated with the Rochester, New York, firm of Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle (now the national law...

Brittni Sullivan is a Senior Associate attorney at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. She joined the firm in January 2013 as a legal intern while she was still in law school. Since 2015, Brittni has been concentrating her practice in the areas of Estate Planning and Medicaid as well as Guardianship. In 2024, for the eighth consecutive year, Brittni was named a Rising Star attorney for the New York Metro area by Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters publication. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state receive this honor. She was also recognized as a 2025 The Best...

Richard W. Gunger has been practicing Law for almost 30 years with offices located at 5 Court Street, Auburn, New York proudly serving clients throughout Central New York and the surrounding areas. He works tirelessly for his clients and prides himself on obtaining the absolute best result for each and every client.

General Practice of Law including Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13), Divorce, Separation, Wills and Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Probate, Adoptions, Automobile Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Brain Injures, Guardianship, Adoption, Personal Injury, Small Claims, Appeals, Civil and Criminal Litigation, Real Estate, Real Estate Litigation, House...

Jillian Faltyn is an associate attorney primarily focusing her practice in the Corporate and Business Law Department. Jillian’s experience representing insurance carriers to resolve complex coverage disputes gave her a strong understanding of labor laws and personal injury-related claims from a commercial litigation focus. Ms. Faltyn obtained her undergraduate degree in Business Administration from SUNY Buffalo State College. After receiving her Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law, Ms. Faltyn has practiced Civil Litigation and Insurance Defense. Ms. Faltyn takes a hands-on approach to assisting corporate clients in developing strategic and innovative solutions to their most challenging litigation matters. Jillian...

Pia Perfetto is an associate attorney at HoganWillig, primarily focusing her practice in the Corporate and Business Practice Group. Ms. Perfetto is also a member of the litigation team who initiated numerous constitutional challenges pertaining to the State of New York’s COVID-19 governmental restrictions. Ms. Perfetto graduated from Canisius College and the University at Buffalo School of Law in 2016 and 2019, respectively. Prior to joining HoganWillig as an attorney, Ms. Perfetto clerked with the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, was a legal intern for the Kinship Care Legal Services Program with the Center for Elder Law and Justice, and worked for...

Kenneth Kraus helps individuals and families prepare their estate plan, including Wills, asset protection Trusts, Supplemental Needs Trusts (SNTs), Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies. He also assists with the probate process including the preparation of income, fiduciary, gift and estate tax returns and the sale of real estate. In addition, Ken works with families to help them understand the complexities of long-term care financing, including Medicare, Medicaid, home care and nursing home planning. Given the ever-changing estate and income tax laws and the increasing concern of special needs and long-term care planning, Ken’s depth and breadth of experience...

James C. Freeman, Of Counsel at the Law Office of Andrew J. Gilbride, is a highly experienced civil litigator who has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. His personal injury and medical malpractice verdicts and settlements have been publicized in various media outlets. Early on in his legal career, Mr. Freeman worked as an Assistant County Attorney for Westchester County from 1990-1995. Mr. Freeman also represented physicians and hospitals at a well respected defense firm. His experience on both sides of the aisle works to the benefit of all his current clients, medical malpractice and personal injury...

A 2007 graduate of Western New England University School of Law, Ms. Gilmartin spent nearly 30 years in Technical and Operational roles for a variety of manufacturers before her career in the law. Her most recent non-legal role was as Vice President of Global Quality and Regulatory Affairs for a mid-sized adhesive film manufacturer based in the UK. Ms. Gilmartin knows firsthand as a business executive what is required of a legal counsel in a business environment and the breadth of experience to understand the subtle ramifications of the decisions concerning the businesses of her clients. As the former North...

After working for several Long Island law firms practicing in the areas of bankruptcy, loan modifications, estates, civil litigation and family law, John P. Brooke, Esq. opened his own law office. The Brooke Law Firm serves is a full service law practice dedicated to helping Long Islander's in all the legal challenges that life throws at them. John P. Brooke, Esq. also interned for Senior Federal Judge Leonard Wexler while in law school. John is also currently a Special Assistant Prosecutor for the Village of Ocean Beach on Fire Island.

Kera Reed is an attorney at Burner Law Group, P.C. She joined the firm in January 2012 and now leads the firms Estate and Trust Administration Department overseeing all phases of Probate and Estate administration as well as estate litigation matters. Kera’s practice includes all Surrogate’s Court proceedings to appoint an Executor or Administrator of an estate, SCPA Article 17 and 17-A guardianship proceedings, preparation and litigation of fiduciary accountings, and preparation of New York State and Federal estate tax returns. She also is qualified to serve as Guardian ad Litem in Surrogates’ Court proceedings. In addition to her...

Melissa Doris joined Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. in February 2020 as Senior Associate attorney. Prior to her work at the firm, Melissa gained over a decade of experience at a prominent Long Island Trusts and Estates law firm. Her wealth of knowledge is extensive in the areas of Estate Planning, Trust and Estate Administration, Taxation, Elder Law, Special Needs Planning and Residential Real Estate where she focuses her practice. Melissa was recognized as The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Elder Law and Trusts & Estates in Setauket, NY in the 2024 and 2025 editions. Melissa received her Bachelor's...

Kimberly Trueman is an attorney at the Law Offices of Robin Burner Daleo, PLLC. She joined the firm in November, 2021. Kimberly received her Bachelor’s degree in Hispanic Literature and Language from Stony Brook University in 2009 where she graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa and was the valedictorian of her department. She then received her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University, School of Law in 2012. While attending law school, Kimberly was the recipient of the Honors Scholarship for academic excellence as well as the Linda Carmody-Roberts Scholarship for her commitment to pursuing a career in the Trust & Estates...

As a Senior Associate in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Real Estate Law practice, Raymond focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate financing transactions, commercial real estate transactions and development, title review and commitment preparation. He represents developers in subdivision acquisitions, and he represents lenders in commercial and residential mortgage transactions, as well as commercial and residential purchasers and sellers.

Raymond has extensive experience drafting residential and commercial contracts of sale, leases and mortgage documents including, but not limited to: commitment letters, promissory notes, mortgages, security agreements, assignment of rents and leases, environmental compliance and indemnity agreements, unlimited guarantees and UCC-1...

Nicholas J. Ingrassia is an attorney and shareholder of Gross Shuman P.C. in Buffalo, New York. He concentrates his law practice in the areas of Real Estate & Development, Banking & Finance, and Business & Corporate Law. Mr. Ingrassia also has extensive experience assisting clients with Estate Planning & Administration, and Canada-U. S. Cross Border legal issues. He is admitted to practice in New York State and as a Foreign Legal Consultant in Ontario, Canada. Mr. Ingrassia is active in the Western New York community. His volunteer work includes assisting the Kenmore Special Olympics, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters...

Katherine Liebner is a shareholder attorney with Buffalo-based Gross Shuman P.C. Her practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, and labor and employment law. Katherine received her J.D. from the University at Buffalo and is admitted to practice before all New York State Courts, Florida State Courts, the federal district courts for the Western District of New York, the Northern District of New York, the District of Colorado and the United States Tax Court. Katherine was named to Buffalo Business First’s inaugural 30 under 30 class in 2012 and selected as a Super Lawyers Upstate New York Rising...