team-member

Richard Shapiro

Goshen, NY

Licensed for 33 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Probate

Language

English

About

In 2017 I became the first (and only) attorney based in the Mid-Hudson region to earn the Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation, as accredited by the American Bar Association.  Presently there are fewer than 40 CELA's in New York State, and only about 500 nationally.Effective estate, business and asset protection planning can only occur when the client truly understands their goals and objectives. Only then can we engage in a discovery process that can turn the client's hopes and dreams a reality. Our counseling-based approach is designed to make sure that the plan design is client driven, rather than attorney driven. Our maintenance plan helps ensure that the client's plan stays up-to-date though the many legal and life changes that occur over a lifetime.---Born in Middletown, N.Y., Richard Shapiro is Chair of Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone's Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law department.  He has pioneered in the Hudson Valley the use of the “Legacy Assurance Program™,” a unique process that incorporates an annual maintenance program as an essential part of a client’s estate plan.  Mr. Shapiro and his team work with local businesses to create effective “exit” plans as they navigate the complex financial and emotional issues that arise in managing and transferring closely-held business interests between and among the entity’s partners or shareholders.  Mr. Shapiro also counsels high net worth clients in creating estate plans designed to not only minimize estate, gift and income tax liabilities, but also ensure that that their values are passed to future generations as part of a comprehensive “legacy” plan.  A prolific public speaker and author, Mr. Shapiro's book "Secure Your Legacy: Estate Planning and Elder Law for Today's American Family" was published in April 2017 by Archway Publishing and is available in both paperback and e-book formate at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other booksellers.A graduate of Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Mr. Shapiro is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Shapiro writes an estate planning column for the Senior Gazette and is a frequent lecturer on estate planning and elder law topics to the public as well as to accountants and financial professionals.  He is actively involved in community affairs, and is presently on the Board of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan and the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council.  He also served two terms as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Orange Regional Medical Center from 2006 through 2008, and he is a past president of the Middletown Bar Association and the Wallkill East Rotary Club

Practices Areas

Estate Planning

Probate

Elder Law

Language

English

Contact

Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP10 Matthews StreetGoshen, NY, 1092410 Matthews StreetGoshen, NY, 10924

Office: N/A

Website: N/A

Reviews

George & Marie
August 27, 2016

We have been clients of Richard Shapiro's for four years. He helped us put together our estate plan, which could be an immense challenge. He made it simple and we know it is complete. We meet with him annually to make any recommended revisions and this too has been a very simple process. He understands families and the many issues that are at play within them that need to be considered in building an estate plan.

Alice
June 22, 2016

Rich's firm had an introductory seminar which was very informative. At our first meeting he wrote an outline to help us create a step by step plan for our trust. Rich took the time to answer all of our questions and accommodate our individual needs. The end product was provided to us in a clearly organized binder.

Bernie
June 16, 2016

Undecided on an estate plan I (we) a seminar and eventually hired Mr. Shapiro to to put together a plan for us. While we haven't needed to exercise any of it, we feel it will be correct. Since then a Medicare plan has been formulated.

Annmarie
June 16, 2016

We were recommended to Richard by our financial planner. Richard and his firm are extremely professional, knowledgeable and organized. Richard was upfront about what they can and cannot offer, how the process works and how much it costs. There was not pressure to purchase their services. It was evident that Richard is well versed in the law and while respecting the law, he also made sure that our individual needs were met. We are also confident that Richard and his firm will be with us in the years ahead.

Beverly
June 15, 2016

We have found the 3 attorneys that we have worked with to be professional, knowledgeable, and very pleasant. We are very happy with our estate plan and appreciate the time and effort it takes for them to help us to understand the ins and outs of our plan. They are all exceptional lawyers.

Wayne
June 15, 2016

Rich has always been responsive to my needs. He developed an estate plan for my my wife and me without any inconvenience or problems. Most important is that I trust Rich. Annually he and Austin keep us apprised of any needed changes. Great service and counseling.

Jay
June 13, 2016

Rich and his team clearly defined in simplistic terms what and how our wills and trust would be created. They were very patient with us as we were gathering all the documentation required to establish a 'sound' will and trust for our kids. I felt very comfortable and the entire Firm make you feel as though you are part of their family. I would recommend this firm for any legal matters before any other in our region!

Sharon
June 9, 2016

He developed and implemented a trust for us. The trust met all our requirements. It also concluded items we needed and had not thought about. We are at peace knowing our grandchildren are taken care of.

Philip Haakmeester
June 9, 2016

Mr.Shapiro is my lawyer. He set up three trusts for myself and my wife. Irrevocable trust,revocable trust and a special needs trust for my wife. He was professional in my contacts and respectful to my needs.

anonymous
June 9, 2016

We made appointments to interview a few layers for trust work. Rich was the first and last one we talked to. He was easy going and put us at ease as he fully explained the process and what was involved. As we were leaving we had decided to use his services before we were out of his offices. He is the right choice.

George & Marie
August 27, 2016

We have been clients of Richard Shapiro's for four years. He helped us put together our estate plan, which could be an immense challenge. He made it simple and we know it is complete. We meet with him annually to make any recommended revisions and this too has been a very simple process. He understands families and the many issues that are at play within them that need to be considered in building an estate plan.

Alice
June 22, 2016

Rich's firm had an introductory seminar which was very informative. At our first meeting he wrote an outline to help us create a step by step plan for our trust. Rich took the time to answer all of our questions and accommodate our individual needs. The end product was provided to us in a clearly organized binder.

Bernie
June 16, 2016

Undecided on an estate plan I (we) a seminar and eventually hired Mr. Shapiro to to put together a plan for us. While we haven't needed to exercise any of it, we feel it will be correct. Since then a Medicare plan has been formulated.

Annmarie
June 16, 2016

We were recommended to Richard by our financial planner. Richard and his firm are extremely professional, knowledgeable and organized. Richard was upfront about what they can and cannot offer, how the process works and how much it costs. There was not pressure to purchase their services. It was evident that Richard is well versed in the law and while respecting the law, he also made sure that our individual needs were met. We are also confident that Richard and his firm will be with us in the years ahead.

Beverly
June 15, 2016

We have found the 3 attorneys that we have worked with to be professional, knowledgeable, and very pleasant. We are very happy with our estate plan and appreciate the time and effort it takes for them to help us to understand the ins and outs of our plan. They are all exceptional lawyers.

Wayne
June 15, 2016

Rich has always been responsive to my needs. He developed an estate plan for my my wife and me without any inconvenience or problems. Most important is that I trust Rich. Annually he and Austin keep us apprised of any needed changes. Great service and counseling.

Jay
June 13, 2016

Rich and his team clearly defined in simplistic terms what and how our wills and trust would be created. They were very patient with us as we were gathering all the documentation required to establish a 'sound' will and trust for our kids. I felt very comfortable and the entire Firm make you feel as though you are part of their family. I would recommend this firm for any legal matters before any other in our region!

Sharon
June 9, 2016

He developed and implemented a trust for us. The trust met all our requirements. It also concluded items we needed and had not thought about. We are at peace knowing our grandchildren are taken care of.

Philip Haakmeester
June 9, 2016

Mr.Shapiro is my lawyer. He set up three trusts for myself and my wife. Irrevocable trust,revocable trust and a special needs trust for my wife. He was professional in my contacts and respectful to my needs.

anonymous
June 9, 2016

We made appointments to interview a few layers for trust work. Rich was the first and last one we talked to. He was easy going and put us at ease as he fully explained the process and what was involved. As we were leaving we had decided to use his services before we were out of his offices. He is the right choice.

George & Marie
August 27, 2016

We have been clients of Richard Shapiro's for four years. He helped us put together our estate plan, which could be an immense challenge. He made it simple and we know it is complete. We meet with him annually to make any recommended revisions and this too has been a very simple process. He understands families and the many issues that are at play within them that need to be considered in building an estate plan.

Alice
June 22, 2016

Rich's firm had an introductory seminar which was very informative. At our first meeting he wrote an outline to help us create a step by step plan for our trust. Rich took the time to answer all of our questions and accommodate our individual needs. The end product was provided to us in a clearly organized binder.

Bernie
June 16, 2016

Undecided on an estate plan I (we) a seminar and eventually hired Mr. Shapiro to to put together a plan for us. While we haven't needed to exercise any of it, we feel it will be correct. Since then a Medicare plan has been formulated.

Annmarie
June 16, 2016

We were recommended to Richard by our financial planner. Richard and his firm are extremely professional, knowledgeable and organized. Richard was upfront about what they can and cannot offer, how the process works and how much it costs. There was not pressure to purchase their services. It was evident that Richard is well versed in the law and while respecting the law, he also made sure that our individual needs were met. We are also confident that Richard and his firm will be with us in the years ahead.

Beverly
June 15, 2016

We have found the 3 attorneys that we have worked with to be professional, knowledgeable, and very pleasant. We are very happy with our estate plan and appreciate the time and effort it takes for them to help us to understand the ins and outs of our plan. They are all exceptional lawyers.

Wayne
June 15, 2016

Rich has always been responsive to my needs. He developed an estate plan for my my wife and me without any inconvenience or problems. Most important is that I trust Rich. Annually he and Austin keep us apprised of any needed changes. Great service and counseling.

Jay
June 13, 2016

Rich and his team clearly defined in simplistic terms what and how our wills and trust would be created. They were very patient with us as we were gathering all the documentation required to establish a 'sound' will and trust for our kids. I felt very comfortable and the entire Firm make you feel as though you are part of their family. I would recommend this firm for any legal matters before any other in our region!

Sharon
June 9, 2016

He developed and implemented a trust for us. The trust met all our requirements. It also concluded items we needed and had not thought about. We are at peace knowing our grandchildren are taken care of.

Philip Haakmeester
June 9, 2016

Mr.Shapiro is my lawyer. He set up three trusts for myself and my wife. Irrevocable trust,revocable trust and a special needs trust for my wife. He was professional in my contacts and respectful to my needs.

anonymous
June 9, 2016

We made appointments to interview a few layers for trust work. Rich was the first and last one we talked to. He was easy going and put us at ease as he fully explained the process and what was involved. As we were leaving we had decided to use his services before we were out of his offices. He is the right choice.