- Limited Liability CompaniesMr. Steffan has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Business Management from Canisius College. In addition, he has been the sole proprietor of Cooke and Steffan, Attorneys for over sixteen years. He knows what legal services are needed to start up a business. He advises his clients regarding employment laws, tax laws, and labor laws affecting their businesses on a daily basis. The law firm has formed and organized corporations, limited liability companies, sole proprietors operating under assumed name certification, and individual partnerships.
- Social Security DisabilityOur law firm provides services on Social Security Disability hearings, including attending the hearing on behalf of the client applicant, We will prepare your case so that the hearing examiner sees your case in its most favorable light. We receive payment only if you win your claim.
- Medicaid PlanningCooke and Steffan, Attorneys has closed thousands of home sales and purchases over many years. Mr. Steffan is a licensed title insurance agent, bringing twenty three years of title examination experience to the closing table. In addition, Mr. Steffan has assisted clients in mortgage refinances, family transfers, conservation easements, commercial business sales, and other creative forms of real estate conveyancing. He will prepare a life estate deed and explain the Medicaid Planning aspects of this family transfer. The transfers of country property pose special concerns, such as oil and gas leases, rights of way, and other mineral rights interests which affect title to real estate. Mr. Steffan has handled all of these documents and more. Our law firm will close your home sale or purchase transaction, possibly the single biggest investment of your time and money during your life, with efficiency and ease.
- Estate PlanningCooke and Steffan, Attorneys, will provide the family of the decedent with probate and administration services, from petitioning the Court for acceptance of the will, to assisting with distributions to beneficiaries. Services include, notifying Social Security of the death or advising the client in this regard and maintaining an accounting of all decedent's assets, thereby relieving the Executor of the accounting burden. We will handle the real estate closing and this is included in our overall fee for Estate services. We will advise the surviving spouse on estate planning issues and estate tax issues in, including, if necessary, preparing disclaimers to reduce overall estate tax for the estates of both husband and wife.
- Wills
- Power of AttorneyOur law firm includes Power of Attorney documentation in your Will package. While the will becomes effective upon your death, the Power of Attorney is immediately effective when you sign it, in most cases. The appointed person is an agent to transact business on your behalf when you are unable to do so yourself. The power of attorney can act when you are incapacitated, physically or mentally. The power of attorney may avoid the need for the appointment of a legal guardian.
- Probate
- ForeclosureMr. Steffan is representing debtors who have seen their adjustable rate mortgage payments rise due to the sub prime loan fiasco. He will make the Plaintiff's prove their case comports with New York State's foreclosure law. You have certain rights before your home may be taken due to a mortgage default.
- Tax LawMr. Steffan has been preparing wills for his clients for over twenty years. He features a standard "I love you" will, with reciprocal residuary dispositions for the husband and wife. If estate tax planning is needed, then he adds a disclaimer trust, which enables the equalization of the Husband and Wife's estates to fully utilize both of their Unified Credits. Health Care Proxies and Powers of Attorney are part of the Will package offered to clients. In short, all of the client's estate planning needs can be met.