Vanarelli & Li, LLC

Vanarelli & Li, LLC Vanarelli & Li, LLC, located in Westfield, NJ, provides a broad range of elder law legal services The Law Office of Donald D.

Vanarelli, located in Westfield, New Jersey, provides a broad range of legal services for the elderly, the disabled and their families, and families in conflict. We successfully guide our clients through the complex areas of estate tax law, public benefits law, and court procedures. Our attorneys offer services of the highest professional standards in the following areas of practice:
Elder Law Se

rvices;
Estate Planning and Trust Administration;
Medicaid and Public Benefits Planning;
Special Needs and Disability Planning;
Guardianship and Fiduciary Services;
Will Contests and Probate Litigation;
Medicaid Applications and Medicaid Appeals;
Nursing Home Law and Litigation;
Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Law;
Family Law Services;
Social Security Disability Appeals; and,
Estate, Probate and Elder Mediation Services.

Each year, the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) reviews and updates the Medicaid "p...
05/18/2026

Each year, the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) reviews and updates the Medicaid "penalty divisor."

The penalty divisor is a key figure used to determine the penalty period for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports ("MLTSS") applicants who have transferred assets for less than fair market value during the five-year lookback period. This divisor represents the average daily cost of nursing home care in New Jersey, and is central to calculating the length of any Medicaid ineligibility period resulting from such asset transfers.

Effective April 1, 2026, the State of New Jersey increased the daily penalty divisor from $402.74 to $420.69 per day, according to the attached Medicaid Communication No. 26-04 issued by DMAHS. This new figure reflects what the state determined as an increase in the average daily cost of nursing home services, based on an independent statewide survey of licensed facilities.

Each year, the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) reviews and updates the Medicaid "penalty divisor." The penalty divisor

The new federal legislation commonly referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill", signed into law by President Trump in ...
04/30/2026

The new federal legislation commonly referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill", signed into law by President Trump in July 2025, introduces additional administrative and compliance requirements that will substantially affect how individuals maintain Medicaid coverage.

Effective July 1, 2027, the new law introduces several major procedural changes. Most notably, it imposes work requirements for certain Medicaid populations — primarily adults aged 19 to 64 in the expansion group, also known as the Alternative Benefits Plan, or ABP — requiring at least 80 hours per month of work, education, or approved activities. While this requirement does not apply directly to most nursing home residents or incapacitated individuals, it will significantly affect family members, including adult children and community spouses, who may rely on Medicaid coverage.

The new federal legislation commonly referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill", signed into law by President Trump in July 2025, introduces additional adminis

At the time of her death, the decedent ("Marianne") had been divorced for more than forty years. She remained living in ...
04/16/2026

At the time of her death, the decedent ("Marianne") had been divorced for more than forty years. She remained living in the former marital home, and did not remarry. Her Last Will and Testament expressly disinherited her children, and left her entire estate to charity. She appointed her attorney as executor.

At the time of her divorce, Marianne had entered into a property settlement agreement ("PSA") that conveyed ownership of the marital home to her, but provided:
in the event that intends to remarry, she shall, prior to said remarriage, sell and convey the aforesaid premises. The net proceeds shall be distributed one-half to Marianne and the other one-half to be placed in a trust fund for the two children of the parties. In the event that the property is sold at any time, the net proceeds shall be also so distributed.
Two years before her death, Marianne executed the will disinheriting her children; she died two years later.

At the time of her death, the decedent ("Marianne") had been divorced for more than forty years. She remained living in the former marital home, and did not rem

In 2023, an anonymous report triggered an investigation by Adult Protective Services into concerns of neglect affecting ...
03/09/2026

In 2023, an anonymous report triggered an investigation by Adult Protective Services into concerns of neglect affecting F.M.W., who lived with a sole caregiver relative. Following assessment, Adult Protective Services filed a complaint recommending the Office of the Public Guardian be appointed as permanent guardian. The probate court appointed counsel who opposed the existing caregiver's appointment due to noted instability and neglect, despite the caregiver denying sub-standard care. This case underscores the critical role of protective oversight in ensuring responsible guardianship and the welfare of vulnerable individuals. Details can be found at the original source: https://example.com

F.M.W. lived with her sister R.W., who was her only relative and caregiver. In 2023, Adult Protective Services ("APS") received an anonymous report that F.M.W.

MEDICAID is a joint federal and state program that provides medical assistance for financially eligible persons who are ...
03/03/2026

MEDICAID is a joint federal and state program that provides medical assistance for financially eligible persons who are aged, blind, or disabled. Because it is based on financial need, Medicaid has strict income and resource limits.

The following are the important Medicaid numbers to keep in mind for 2026.

GROSS INCOME
In 2026, to be eligible from an income perspective for Medicaid Managed Long Term Services and Support ("MLTSS"), an applicant may have no more than $2,982.00 in monthly gross income. (When a Medicaid applicant is married, the income of the applicant's spouse (called the "community spouse") does not count in determining the applicant's eligibility.)

However, if the applicant's gross income exceeds $2,982.00, a Qualified Income Trust may be used to render the applicant income-eligible.

MEDICAID is a joint federal and state program that provides medical assistance for financially eligible persons who are aged, blind, or disabled. Because it is

Legal Fees Denied to Court-appointed Attorney and Temporary Guardian
02/20/2026

Legal Fees Denied to Court-appointed Attorney and Temporary Guardian

NJ Medicaid Announces WorkAbility Phase 2 Expansion
02/20/2026

NJ Medicaid Announces WorkAbility Phase 2 Expansion

Man thinking about healthcare cost.
02/20/2026

Man thinking about healthcare cost.

Address

238 St Paul Street
Westfield, NJ
07090

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19082327400

Website

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