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Amy C. O’Hara
Partner
Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA®)
(914) 684-2100
Amy C. O’Hara
Amy C. O’Hara is a partner at Littman Krooks LLP, where she brings extensive experience in special needs planning, elder law, fiduciary representation, guardianship, and trusts and estates, as well as in personal injury settlement consulting. A Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA®) through the National Elder Law Foundation, Amy’s work is characterized by a commitment to protecting the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities and older adults, with a particular focus on comprehensive, future-oriented planning.
Renowned for her thought leadership, Amy is a sought-after speaker who frequently lectures for both professional and advocacy organizations on the critical importance of tailored legal planning for individuals with disabilities and aging adults, as well as for their families. She is known for her ability to demystify complex topics in special needs and elder law, offering valuable insights on current trends, regulations, and best practices. Her articles on elder law, estate planning, and special needs planning are regularly published, serving as key resources for legal practitioners and families alike.
Amy’s professional affiliations reflect her deep commitment to the field. She is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), a Past-President of the Special Needs Alliance—a national nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for families managing special needs—and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc., a nonprofit focused on improving quality of life and securing rights for people with disabilities.
In addition, Amy is a dedicated member of the American Bar Association, where she serves as Co-Chair of the Special Needs Planning Committee within the Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section. Her involvement extends to the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) as Vice Chair of the Special Needs Planning Committee for the Elder Law and Special Needs Section, and she is also a member of the NYSBA Trusts and Estates Section. Amy maintains active membership in the Westchester County Bar Association and the Estate Planning Council of Westchester County, furthering her commitment to advancing excellence in the field of special needs planning and elder law.
Amy co-authors the Special Needs Trusts Handbook, a comprehensive treatise published by Wolters Kluwer, which serves as a critical guide for legal practitioners nationwide.
Her peers have recognized her with the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a distinction that highlights her ethical standards and legal acumen. Amy has also been honored as a Super Lawyer in Elder Law since 2019 and has been included in Best Lawyers in America for Elder Law and Trusts and Estates since 2020.
Amy earned her Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo Law School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Binghamton University. She resides in Westchester County, New York, where she is married and the proud mother of two college-aged sons. Amy’s personal and professional lives are united by a dedication to advocacy and to fostering a more inclusive society through both her legal practice and community leadership.
Professional Affiliations
- Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA®)
- Special Needs Alliance: Past-President, Board of Directors
- New York State Bar Association: Trusts & Estates Section – Elder Law Section
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- Westchester County Bar Association
- Estate Planning Council of Westchester
- Westchester Disabled on the Move, Inc. – President, Board of Directors
- Board of Advisors, InterActive Legal
Honors
- AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Best Lawyers in America® (Elder Law and Trusts and Estates) since 2020
- New York Super Lawyer since 2019
- Hudson Valley Magazine’s 2024 Top Lawyers
News & Articles
Speaking Engagements
- Fundamentals of SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare Eligibility
- Considerations in Co-Counseling with an Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney
- Westchester Institute of Human Development’s Future Planning Webinar: “How Do We Pass The Torch?”
- Taxation on Special Needs Trusts
- Special Needs Planning: Common Errors
- Top 10 Considerations Professionals Must Know When Assisting Families with Special Needs
- Using Pooled Trusts in Special Needs Planning with special guest Lee Ackerman, Executive Director of ACT for Life Services, Inc.
- AANE Greater Hudson Valley Support Group for Families of Adults with Asperger’s/Autism: Using Corporate Trustees in Special Needs Trusts
- NAELA Seminar: Maximizing the Quality of Life for Adults with Developmentally Disabilities
- SNA: Distribution Provisions for First and Third Party Special Needs Trusts
- Cooke School Presentation: Preparing for the Future: Child Centered Special Needs Planning
Blogs
Articles
Press
Videos
Partner Amy C. O’Hara, CELA®, was invited to present at ParkBridge Wealth Management’s Fundamentals of SSI, SSDI, Medicaid and Medicare Eligibility Seminar on November 14th. She detailed the rules of eligibility for these public benefits programs, including how to apply and whether any income and asset limit rules apply for each benefit. ParkBridge Wealth Management (PWM) is an independent financial advisory and money management firm that provides comprehensive and personalized financial planning, investment management, and retirement planning solutions to their clients. The full presentation can be viewed at the link below.
Podcasts
Littman Krooks attorneys Laura Brancato, Esq., Amy C. O’Hara, Esq., and Brian L. Miller, Esq., join Bernard A. Krooks, Esq., to discuss how families and people with disabilities can complete estate planning documents and advance directives using video technology during chaotic times.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
From the Library
Featured post
Update on Supported Decision Making in New York State
By Amy C. O’Hara, Partner From recent experience in New York guardianship courts on applications where individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities may have some higher functioning…
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Featured post
Managing Virtual Learning for Students with Special Needs
Reprinted with permission of the Special Needs Alliance (www.specialneedsalliance.org) This post was authored by attorney Amy C. O’Hara, CELA of Littman Krooks, LLP, New York….
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Recent Littman Krooks News
Littman Krooks Partners Named to Best Lawyers in America® for Excellence in Trusts & Estates and Elder Law
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (PRWEB) August 25, 2021 | Featuring Bernard A. Krooks, Esq., and Amy C. O’Hara, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP
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Recent Littman Krooks News
Amy C. O’Hara Named Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Special Needs Alliance
(PRWEB) November 02, 2020 | Featuring Amy C. O’Hara, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP
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Featured article
Advocating for Least Restrictive Alternatives in Plenary Guardianships
NYSBA Elder and Special Needs Law Journal | Spring 2020 | Vol. 30 | No. 1 | By Amy C. O’Hara, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP
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Recent Littman Krooks News
Why a Supplemental Needs Trust May Be Appropriate for Your Child With Special Needs
New York Family | Featuring Amy C. O’Hara, Esq., Littman Krooks LLP