Richard J. Shapiro, J.D., CELA* is a partner with Blustein, Shapiro, Rich & Barone, LLP, a law firm with offices in Goshen, New York. Mr. Shapiro, who is the only Cerified Elder Law Attorney in the Mid-Hudson region, concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, business planning and real estate law. He as an "AV" (highest) rating form Martndale-Hubbell, and has a perfect "10.0" rating from avvo.com

A graduate of Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Mr. Shapiro is a member of WealthCounsel, ElderCounsel, Elder Law Answers, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. ("NAELA"). 

Mr. Shapiro is the auther of Secure Your Legacy: Estate Planning and Elder Law for Today's American Family, published in 2017 in Archway Publishing.  The book is available at many traditional and online booksellers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

In April 2002 Richard completed the Esperti-Peterson Institute's yearlong Advanced Wealth Strategies program. The EPI program teaches advanced planning techniques for "mid-tier" estates of between $3 million and $25 Million.

Before returning to Middletown in 1991 practiced law in Washington, D.C., first with Crowell & Moring, and the with Porter, Wright, Morris and Arthur. While at Porter, Wright, Mr. Shapiro counseled business clients and handled all types of commercial business transactions including bulk asset sales and purchases, commercial loans and workouts.

Mr. Shapiro is admitted to the bars of Pennsylvania and New York, and he is presently maintaining an inactive membership with the District of Columbia Bar. He is a member of the Trusts & Estates and Elder Law sections of the New York State Bar Association, as well as the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council, where he is presently serving as a Director. Mr. Shapiro belongs to the Orange County Bar Association and City of Middletown Bar Association. He was President of the latter organization in 1996. In both 2003 and 2004 Richard taught continuing education courses for attorneys, accountants and financial planners in the area of Elder Law. Richard has written articles on estate planning and elder law topics for the Times Herald-Record and the Hudson Valley Business Journal.

Mr. Shapiro is actively involved in numerous community activities. Richard recently joined the Board of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan. From 1996 until 1998 he was the President of the Brittany Miller Foundation, a charitable organization providing financial assistance to families who have children afflicted with cancer, and he was on its Board of Directors from 1996-2000. Mr. Shapiro is a member of the Wallkill Rotary Club (President, 1999-2000) and from 2000 through 2011 he served on the Board of Directors for Orange Regional Medical Center, where he served as Chairman from 2006-2007.  Richard also coaches his son's basketball team.

Mr. Shapiro lives in Goshen with his wife, Terri Small and two children.

*Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation as accredited by the American Bar Association. The National Elder Law Foundation is not affiliated with any governmental authority. Certification is not a requirement for the practice of law in the State of New York and does not necessarily indicate greater competence than other attorneys experienced in this field of law.

Member: WealthCounsel; ElderCounsel; Elder Law Answers: National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc.

Areas Of Practice: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Business Planning, Real Estate Law

Bar Admissions: Pennsylvania, 1988, New York, 1991
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1991

Education: University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1988 J.D.

Cornell University, 1985 B.S.

Professional Associations and Memberships: Middletown Bar Association, 1996 President; Orange County Bar Associaiton;
New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section;
New York State Bar Association, Elder Law Section;
Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council

Cornell University Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, 1995 - Present

Cornell University Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, 1995 - 1996 Regional Chairperson

Horton Medical Center, 1999 - 2002 Trustee

Willkill East Rotary Club, 1999 - 2000 President

Brittany Miller Foundation, 1996 - 1998 President
Brittany Miller Foundation, 1996 - 2000 Board of Directors

Orange Regional Medical Center, 2002 - 2011 - Trustee

Orange Regional Medical Center, 2006 - 2007 -- Chairman

Southwinds Retirement Home Board of Directors 2003 - 2005

Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan Board of Directors -- 2013 -- present

Past Employment Positions:
Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, Washington D.C., Associate, 1989 - 1991

Crowell & Moring, Washington D.C., Associate, 1988 - 1989

Town of Minisink, Acting Justice

Fraternities/Sororities:
Phi Kappa Psi

Birth Information:
May 30, 1963, Middletown, New York

Firm Description

Providing elder law, estate planning, and Medicaid planning solutions to Orange County and the Hudson Valley.

Hours

Cost