Business Details
19 Years
experience
Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorneys in Westfield, NJ
Vanarelli & Li, LLC is a distinguished legal practice dedicated to elder law, estate planning, and special needs advocacy in New Jersey. With decades of combined experience, our attorneys specialize in Medicaid and public benefits planning, guardianship, probate litigation, and asset protection. We pride ourselves on delivering personalized legal strategies grounded in technical expertise and compassionate client service.Our accolades include certification as Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation, recognition as Super Lawyers, and leadership roles in prominent legal associations. We are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards while empowering clients through education, mediation, and innovative legal solutions tailored to the complex needs of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families.
Services
Elder Law Services
Medicaid Applications
Special Needs Trusts
Guardianship Services
Probate Litigation
Estate Planning
VA Pension Benefits
Social Security Appeals
Nursing Home Litigation
Asset Protection Planning
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- Certified Elder Law Attorneys with national accreditation
- Proven success in Medicaid planning and public benefits advocacy
- Personalized legal strategies tailored to complex client needs
- Recognized leaders in elder law and disability rights litigation
- Compassionate mediation and dispute resolution services
Associations and certifications
- National Elder Law Foundation
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
- Super Lawyers
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- Academy of Special Needs Planners
What people say
Landmark decisions
Compassionate representation
Timely responses
Expertise and experience
Stress reduction
Services
Medicaid Applications
Vanarelli & Li provides comprehensive Medicaid eligibility evaluations and application preparation tailored to individual financial and family circumstances. Our attorneys analyze assets, income, and care needs to develop strategic Medicaid plans that protect resources while securing eligibility for long-term care benefits. We guide clients through complex documentation requirements and coordinate with healthcare providers to ensure seamless approval processes. Our approach combines technical precision with compassionate counsel to address seniors' evolving needs.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services create customized strategies to preserve assets and ensure client wishes are honored. We draft wills, trusts, and advanced directives while integrating Medicaid and VA pension considerations to maximize protection against catastrophic care costs. Through holistic planning, we help clients minimize tax liabilities, avoid probate, and establish contingency plans for incapacity, ensuring both immediate and legacy financial security for families across New Jersey and New York.
Probate Litigation
Vanarelli & Li represents clients in contested estate matters including will challenges, fiduciary disputes, and elder abuse claims. Our litigators combine deep probate court experience with trust administration expertise to resolve complex estate conflicts. We handle guardianship disputes, power of attorney abuse cases, and accounting actions with strategic advocacy focused on preserving client interests while minimizing emotional and financial costs through negotiated settlements or courtroom representation when necessary.
Special Needs Trusts
We design specialized trust arrangements to protect government benefit eligibility for individuals with disabilities. Our trusts ensure continued Medicaid and SSI access while providing supplemental resources for care, housing, and quality-of-life improvements. Attorneys collaborate with families to establish long-term care frameworks that address transitioning guardianship responsibilities and managing inheritances without compromising public assistance eligibility through carefully structured legal instruments.
Guardianship Services
The firm offers full-spectrum guardianship services including voluntary and involuntary proceedings, special needs guardianship, and fiduciary management. Certified professionals handle court appointments, develop care plans, and manage ongoing legal responsibilities for incapacitated adults. We balance compassionate advocacy with strict legal compliance when establishing decision-making authority for healthcare, finances, and residential arrangements while maintaining court accountability through required reporting processes.
People
Donald D. Vanarelli
Founding Attorney
Certified Elder Law Attorney with 30+ years' experience, national academy co-founder, and landmark case litigator. Recognized for Medicaid planning innovation and elder rights advocacy through state bar leadership and media publications. Maintains active court practice in New Jersey and New York while directing firm-wide legal strategy.
Chen Li
Attorney
Skilled estate planning and public benefits lawyer with expertise in complex Medicaid applications and cross-border asset protection. Utilizes bilingual capabilities to serve diverse client populations while maintaining focus on personalized client communication and meticulous document preparation that ensures timely approval of critical benefits.
Eric A. Strulowitz
Attorney
Specializes in probate litigation and special needs trust administration with extensive court room experience in will contests and fiduciary disputes. Applies collaborative law training to resolve family conflicts while maintaining aggressive representation in contested guardianship proceedings and elder abuse cases across northern New Jersey jurisdictions.
Matthew J. Nolfo
Attorney
Focuses on VA pension benefits, social security disability appeals, and nursing home litigation. Combines veterans' advocacy with elder law expertise to challenge improper benefit denials and address systemic care facility abuses through administrative and judicial proceedings while maintaining compassionate client support throughout prolonged litigation processes.
Whitney W. Bremer
Attorney
Handles estate administration, trust management, and Medicaid reimbursement defense with emphasis on minimizing tax liabilities and protecting family inheritances. Coordinates with financial planners to implement integrated strategies that align probate requirements with long-term care objectives while ensuring compliance with evolving elder law regulations and court precedents.
Questions
What Medicaid planning services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive Medicaid eligibility evaluations, application preparation, and appeals services tailored to individual financial circumstances while protecting long-term care assets.
Can you help with special needs trust creation?
Yes, we design customized special needs trusts that maintain government benefit eligibility while providing supplemental care resources for individuals with disabilities.
Do you handle out-of-state cases?
Our attorneys represent New Jersey residents with elder law matters and assist with multi-state issues through strategic legal coordination when necessary.
What estate planning documents are essential?
We recommend wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives tailored to individual circumstances, integrating Medicaid and VA benefit considerations when applicable.
Are virtual consultations available?
We offer flexible consultation options including remote appointments for clients who cannot visit our Westfield or Holmdel offices in person.
How do you handle probate disputes?
Our firm employs negotiation, mediation, and courtroom advocacy to resolve contested estates, focusing on preserving family relationships while protecting client interests.
Reviews (4)
Sonya Poplaski
Nov 05, 2021
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Don Vanarelli and his team were vital in helping my sister and I understand the bewildering Medicaid process. Our loved oness case was not typical, however he researched and found the answers to a number of complicated questions/situations. The only reason why I am not giving a 5 star rating is that Mr. Vanarellis response time in answering emails/returning phone calls could have been better. At the end of the day, the mission was accomplished. With that being said, I highly recommend the Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli.
Lisa Cundey
Aug 19, 2021
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I had a wonderful experience working with Don and his staff. They prepared my will for me and I would highly recommend them. I have also used them for real estate transactions.
Judy Sibilio
Jul 31, 2021
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My husband and I contacted the Law Office of Donald D. Vanarelli in order to update our wills. An appointment was set up in a timely manner that was suitable to all. From the time we arrived for our initial appointment to our last appointment for the final signing of the documents, we were treated, courteously, patiently and compassionately by Mr. Vanarelli and his staff. Any questions we had, were immediately answered, whether it be in person, or via an email or phone call. We were made to feel completely comfortable throughout the entire process. Based on our experience with the Law Office of
Bob Santanello
Jul 26, 2021
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I dont normally write reviews, but we were so impressed with the legal services of Don Vanarelli, that we wanted to share with others how great our experience was. We first noticed Don from his social media presence and his history as an elder law attorney was clearly extensive and award winning. We hadnt changed our will in years and had many life changes that needed to be addressed. We met with Don and his team to get the ball rolling. His staff is very polite, professional and knowledgeable. The process started with an in-depth questionnaire that addressed a multitude of issues that
