We are proud to announce that Scott R. Kurkoski, Esq. has been elected to serve as Assistant Managing Partner of the Firm. Mr. Kurkoski received his B.A. degree from Ithaca College (1985) and his J.D. degree from Temple University Law School (1989). He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and real estate transactions, renewable energy projects and commercial litigation. He is Chair of the LG&T Energy and Cannabis Practice Groups.

On June 14, 2019, Governor Cuomo signed into law the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, primarily affecting residential landlords and tenants statewide. The new laws are heavily pro-tenant and generally extend the time that tenants may remain in possession of a premises despite non-payment. Key changes include: Eviction Proceedings Landlord’s duty to mitigate damages – if a tenant vacates the leased premises prior to termination of the lease, the landlord [...]

Nursing home residents do not automatically have to sell their homes in order to qualify for Medicaid, but that doesn't mean the house is completely protected. The state will likely put a lien on the house while the resident is living and attempt to recover the property after the resident has passed away. Medicaid will not count a nursing home resident's home as an asset when determining eligibility for Medicaid as long as the resident intends to return home.  In addition, the resident's [...]

After small or no increases the past couple of years, Medicare’s Part B premium will rise sharply in 2020. The basic monthly premium will increase $9.10, from $135.50 a month to $144.60. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the premium increase on November 8, 2019. Not everyone will pay the whole increase, however. Due to a "hold harmless" rule around 70 percent of Medicare recipients' premiums will not increase more than Social Security benefits, and Social [...]

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, during which you can freely enroll in or switch plans, runs from October 15 to December 7. Don't let this period slip by without shopping around to see whether your current choices are the best ones for you. During this period you may enroll in a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan or, if you currently have a plan, you may change plans. In addition, during the seven-week period you can return to traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) from a Medicare [...]