Elder Law News
From Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP
October 2025
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New York's Elder Law Team
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Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano Named to Martindale-Hubbell’s 2025 Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
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The law firm of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is pleased to announce it has been selected by Martindale-Hubbell for inclusion in the 2025 Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers in the field of Elder Law. The Bar Register is the definitive guide to the most distinguished law firms in America.
For over 100 years, the Bar Register has been a unique guide to the legal community’s most eminent professionals. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP has attained Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating, AV Preeminent, for superior ethical standards and legal ability.
“Being included in the Bar Register is particularly meaningful because it reflects the esteem of our peers in the legal community,” said managing partner Anthony J. Enea. “At Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, we remain committed to helping clients protect and plan for the future. We are proud to continue serving as trusted advocates for families throughout Westchester and beyond.”
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When Does a Parent, Loved One, or Friend Need a Guardian for Their Person and Property?
By: Anthony J. Enea, Esq.
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Unfortunately, as we age, the infirmities associated with the aging process become an ever-increasing reality. Diseases such as Dementia (Alzheimer’s/Lewy Body Dementia), Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative illnesses are often the reason why a Guardian may be needed. Additionally, physical infirmities associated with aging (for example, the inability to ambulate, bathe, dress, feed, and attend to one’s personal hygiene) frequently translate to the need for a Guardian. Finally, if one’s physical and neurological infirmities result in one becoming or potentially becoming a victim of physical, emotional, or financial abuse (or scams), the need for a Guardian is significantly heightened.
With proper planning and the use of Advanced Directives (such as a broad Durable General Power of Attorney (POA), Health Care Proxy (HCP), HIPAA form, and Living Will), the need for a Guardian can be reduced. Yet, while these documents can lessen the risk of needing a Guardian, they don’t necessarily eliminate it; especially if the person needing assistance is uncooperative and/or a victim of abuse.
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No Small Feat with the Big Beautiful Bill
By: Stella King, Esq.
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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was signed into law by President Trump in 2018, increased the federal estate and gift tax (FEGT) exemption amount from $5 million to $11 million per person, indexed for inflation. Fast-forward to 2025: The exemption was raised to $13.99 million per person (up from $13.61 million in 2024). The TCJA was scheduled to “sunset” on December 31, 2025, so that on January 1, 2026, the exemption would drop to approximately $7 million per person. Yet, with the advent of Trump’s second presidency, affluent New Yorkers have been holding their breath to see whether this sunset date would be extended. The One Big Beautiful Bill, enacted in July 2025 (OBBA), made the increased exemption amount permanent.
For the year 2025, over the course of one’s life and upon one’s death, an individual can transfer up to $13.99 million of assets to others tax-free ($27.98 million for married couples). Beginning in 2026, this amount will permanently increase to $15 million for an individual ($30 million for married couples). OBBA also renews the TCJA’s portability provisions, meaning that any unused exemption of the first spouse to die can be added to the existing exemption amount of the surviving spouse as long as the surviving spouse files an estate tax return for the deceased spouse within five years of death. Under OBBA, the personal gift tax exclusion amount of $19,000 (indexed for inflation annually) remains unchanged. As a result, an individual can gift up to approximately $19,000 per person each year ($38,000 for married couples) without cutting into their $15 million FEGT exemption amount. The FEGT rate of 40% also remains intact.
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We had a wonderful time at our annual end-of-summer luncheon celebrating the incredible team that makes Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano the trusted firm our clients rely on. Their hard work and dedication never goes unnoticed, and we're truly grateful for all they do every day.
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Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table at Celebrate Somers! We loved connecting with neighbors, clients, and local businesses during this wonderful community event. And a special thank you to the Somers Chamber of Commerce for bringing everyone together for such a fun day at Somers Towne Centre.
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Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is proud to sponsor Senior Law Day on Thursday, October 9, a free event for Westchester seniors offering vital legal and financial guidance. Join our very own Sara Meyers, Esq. for her session, "What Ifs: Financial Planning for Retirement, Housing & Long-Term Care," and Robert Arbuco, Esq., who will present "Power of Attorney & Advanced Directives."
Senior Law Day programs are presented by the Westchester County Public Private Partnership for Aging Services, the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, and attorneys, financial advisers, and care managers from the public and private sectors. The programs address all aspects of elder law, financial planning, and geriatric care management.
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Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Featuring the Attorneys of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP
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Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 7:00-8:00pm
Sara E. Meyers, Esq. will be speaking on
“Estate Planning for Every Age”
Hosted by: Scarsdale Adult School
In Person: Scarsdale HS, 1057 Post Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583
This program is open to the public ($20 tuition).
For more information or to register, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/3325pmxn
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Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 1:00-2:00pm
Lauren C. Enea, Esq. will be speaking on
“Aging in Place: A Guide to Growing Older at Home”
Hosted by: Scarsdale Public Library
In Person: 54 Olmsted Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583
For more information or to register, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/4vemt2tc
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Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 7:00-8:30pm
Sara Meyers, Esq. will be speaking on
“Protecting Your Assets from the Cost of Long-Term Care”
Hosted by: Chappaqua Continuing Education
In Person: Horace Greeley HS,
70 Roaring Brook Rd, Chappaqua, NY 10514
For more information or to register, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/bd2eubf2
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Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 12:00-12:50pm
Anthony J. Enea, Esq. will be speaking on
“Nuts & Bolts of Elder Law Planning in New York”
Hosted by: Lawline
Webinar
This program is appropriate for the legal community.
For more information or to register, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/sh9yruaj
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Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 12:00-1:00pm
Sara Meyers, Esq. will be speaking on
“Protecting Clients from Financial Elder Abuse & Senior Scams”
Hosted by: NYSSCPA Rockland Chapter
Webinar
This program is appropriate for financial professionals.
For more information or to register, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/467xr6hx
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Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 2:00-3:00pm
Lauren C. Enea, Esq. will be speaking on
“Life Transitions and the Unexpected”
Hosted by: Rye Free Reading Room
In Person: 1061 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580
For more information or to register, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/59bm3n2d
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Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 11:30am-12:30pm
Lauren C. Enea, Esq. will be speaking on
“Conveying Real Estate and the Tax Consequences”
Hosted by: NYSSCPA Westchester/Rockland Tax Conference
Webinar
This program is appropriate for financial professionals.
For more information or to register, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/4wfa5b79
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