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Theodore Alatsas Esq

Theodore Alatsas ESQ

Theodore Alatsas Esq

Theodore Alatsas ESQ

Theodore Alatsas Esq

Theodore Alatsas ESQ

Theodore Alatsas, Esq. is the founder of the Alatsas Law Firm and the developer of the firm's 3 Pillars of Protection - our mission to Preserve your assets, Provide you Help, and Protect your Future focusing in three separate, and related, areas of law - Divorce and Family, Elder Law & Estate Planning, and Consumer Bankruptcy.

Born the child of Greek immigrants in the early 1970s, Theodore Alatsas, Esq. grew up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Theodore learned the importance of hard work and dedication to his community at an early age, working his way through high school and college in his parents' deli. As an exemplary student and community activist, Theodore often volunteered his time to help those who needed it. Theodore attended Brooklyn Technical High School, New York University on a scholarship and St. John’s University School of Law.  

Theodore's work in the areas of Divorce and Family law, Elder Law and Estate Planning, and Consumer Bankruptcy Law have earned him recognition from a number of professional organizations, including the Lawyers of Distinction, The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, Attorney and Practice Magazine, Martindale Hubbell, and Avvo, as well as dozens of 5 star reviews from past clients.  As an active member of the legal community, Theodore continues to influence changes in the practice of law and serves on a number of professional boards as a member of the New York State Bar Association, The Brooklyn Bar Assocation, The New York City Bar Association, The Hellenic American Bar Association, The American Bankruptcy Institute, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the National Assocation of Divorce Professionals.

As a Certified Divorce Specialist by the N.A.D.P., Theodore has earned recognition for exemplifying professionalism in working with divorce and family law clients, having handled matters ranging from the straightforward uncontested divorce to complicated trials.  In each case, Theodore Alatsas and his team strive to provide their clients with the kind of representation that empowers them to preserve their assets, provide them help and protect their future.

In the areas of Elder Law and Estate Planning, Theodore demonstrated his expertise in 2019, having co-authored the New York edition of "Medicaid Secrets : How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs",  and is currently working on the soon to be released 2021 edition.  An active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the New York State Bar Association's Elder Law, Trusts and Estates committee, Theodore remains active in the development and discussion of new laws and changes to existing procedures in order to keep his clients' estate plans up to date and their assets protected.

Growing up in the community, Theodore witnessed first hand the challenges hard working people often face when the economy turns, or when unexpected medical bills devastate a family.  To help clients in their deepest need, Theodore has focused his third pillar of protection in consumer bankruptcy.  Whether handling a Chapter 7 matter or working to preserve a client's home in a Chapter 13, Theodore and his team have developed a personalized approach to managing clients through the complicated web of the bankruptcy code to help clients get the fresh start they deserve.

During his early 20s, Theodore worked his way through college and law school, while at the same time actively participating and leading various civic organizations. Among these organizations are the Avenue U Merchants’ Association, Citizens for Neighborhood Action, Change NY, and the Joint Council of Kings County Boards of Trade. Theodore’s community involvement was recognized in New York Newsday, the Bay News, and various other community papers.

After graduating from law school, Theodore began the practice of law in the same location where his parents owned a Greek deli. Over the years, his areas of practice have become more specialized to focus primarily on the practice of divorce and family law. His knowledge and experience as a neighborhood practitioner have uniquely qualified him to handle a matter not only from a legal perspective but with compassion designed to guide the client through the process as smoothly as possible.

Theodore remains active in his community, and has been nominated as a candidate for various public offices, including Brooklyn District Attorney and Brooklyn Borough President, and served as a member of the Public Service Commission Siting Board after having been appointed to the position by Governor Pataki in 2002.

Theodore continues to reside in Brooklyn with his wife and daughter, and his law firm is located on the very spot he was raised. He is fluent in Greek and Spanish.

Firm Description

At Alatsas Law Firm, we provide the one-on-one guidance you need when you’re struggling to resolve a family law, elder law, asset protection, or bankruptcy concern. We explain complex legal concepts in easy-to-understand terms and encourage all of our clients to fully participate in the decision-making process so they can face their future with confidence.  

Hours

Day From To
Monday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM 4:00 PM
Saturday By Appointment Only

Cost

What Is an Elder Law Attorney?

Main Office

2115 Avenue U
Brooklyn, NY 11229

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Medicaid 101
What Medicaid Covers

In addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.

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How to Qualify for Medicaid

To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.

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Medicaid’s Protections for Spouses

Spouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.

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What Medicaid Covers

In addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.

READ MORE
How to Qualify for Medicaid

To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.

READ MORE
Medicaid’s Protections for Spouses

Spouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.

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Medicaid Planning Strategies

Careful planning for potentially devastating long-term care costs can help protect your estate, whether for your spouse or for your children.

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Estate Recovery: Can Medicaid Take My House After I’m Gone?

If steps aren't taken to protect the Medicaid recipient's house from the state’s attempts to recover benefits paid, the house may need to be sold.

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Help Qualifying and Paying for Medicaid, Or Avoiding Nursing Home Care

There are ways to handle excess income or assets and still qualify for Medicaid long-term care, and programs that deliver care at home rather than in a nursing home.

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Are Adult Children Responsible for Their Parents’ Care?

Most states have laws on the books making adult children responsible if their parents can't afford to take care of themselves.

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Applying for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid is a highly technical and complex process, and bad advice can actually make it more difficult to qualify for benefits.

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Alternatives to Medicaid

Medicare's coverage of nursing home care is quite limited. For those who can afford it and who can qualify for coverage, long-term care insurance is the best alternative to Medicaid.

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ElderLaw 101
Estate Planning

Distinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.

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Grandchildren

Learn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.

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Guardianship/Conservatorship

Understand when and how a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an adult who becomes incapacitated, and how to avoid guardianship.

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Health Care Decisions

We need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.

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Estate Planning

Distinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.

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Grandchildren

Learn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.

READ MORE
Guardianship/Conservatorship

Understand when and how a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an adult who becomes incapacitated, and how to avoid guardianship.

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Health Care Decisions

We need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.

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Long-Term Care Insurance

Understand the ins and outs of insurance to cover the high cost of nursing home care, including when to buy it, how much to buy, and which spouse should get the coverage.

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Medicare

Learn who qualifies for Medicare, what the program covers, all about Medicare Advantage, and how to supplement Medicare’s coverage.

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Retirement Planning

We explain the five phases of retirement planning, the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA, types of investments, asset diversification, the required minimum distribution rules, and more.

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Senior Living

Find out how to choose a nursing home or assisted living facility, when to fight a discharge, the rights of nursing home residents, all about reverse mortgages, and more.

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Social Security

Get a solid grounding in Social Security, including who is eligible, how to apply, spousal benefits, the taxation of benefits, how work affects payments, and SSDI and SSI.

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Special Needs Planning

Learn how a special needs trust can preserve assets for a person with disabilities without jeopardizing Medicaid and SSI, and how to plan for when caregivers are gone.

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Veterans Benefits

Explore benefits for older veterans, including the VA’s disability pension benefit, aid and attendance, and long-term care coverage for veterans and surviving spouses.

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