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37 People wrote to us:
  1. My friend recommended Sal Di Costanzo to me and it was the best recommendation ever. He worked with my mother and I setting up a trust and later a guardianship for my Dad who had dementia. As Mom had to enter a nursing home a few years later, he and Joanna Feldman helped with readjusting her trust and with the Medicaid application. Now 8 years in, Joanna helped with Mom’s Medicaid recertification in a very tight turnaround time. I highly recommend you having a conversation with this fantastic team.


    September 7, 2023
  2. Rich and I just completed estate-planning, using the services of Sal M. Di Costanzo, Esq., an elder care attorney. You have seen Sal’s ad in our JOC monthly newsletter. We just wanted everyone to know how pleased we were with Sal’s knowledge and expertise in his chosen field. He also has a wonderful group of attorneys and office staff who were always caring, responsive and sensitive to our issues and needs. Sal worked with us through the entire process and we are now perfectly confident and secure in the knowledge that we’ve taken care of a very important matter in the best manner possible. Thank you Sal, associates and office staff for making a normally stressful time a much easier process. We recommend you very highly.


    November 2, 2021
  3. I obtained the DiCostanzo team, specifically Joanna Feldman and Evan Gibson after they were recommended to me by a friend who had used their elder care services. I needed help getting my husband on Community Medicaid after he became ill. The process is long, confusing and stressful. There is no way that I could have completed it on my own even without the added stress of my husband’s condition. The team is knowledgeable, patient, competent.
    The thing that mattered most to me was that I could trust that they totally knew what they were doing based on my friend’s original recommendation. And, when all was said and done, everything fell into place with the Medicaid insurance without a hitch. I am so pleased and grateful for their help and expertise. They have my highest recommendation.


    March 28, 2021
  4. After completing the distributions from my late mother’s estate, I want to commend the efforts of Sal DiCostanzo, Joanna Feldman and Costantino Fragale. Each step of the way your professionalism and sensitivity have been a great source of relief and security. While negotiating the path after mother’s passing, I felt confident with the expert support and guidance from you three. Taking a step back now, I appreciate how important your work is during such a vulnerable point in people’s lives.


    December 14, 2020
  5. My experience in working with Salvatore Di Costanzo,
    both as my attorney, and more recently as my accountant, is very positive. I have felt supported and quickly responded to when I have a legal or financial issue. My trust in Sal and his team are reassuring.


    August 27, 2020
  6. My husband and I had done a Trust a few years ago with Sal Di Costanzo for our Mom. We were so pleased that we kept going to Sal for our own taxes. Then in the beginning stages of this pandemic, we had to get a Trust for our home, a will for both of us and health care proxy. We were in the best hands because Sal did a zoom meeting and we were able to get all the signings done for everything! What we find is that we are always in the best hands with this firm! We learn a lot because they provide ongoing information, talks and newsletters on topics that need to be taken care of. We are so pleased and feel fortunate that we chose to use Sal way back for our Mom… it’s comforting to know this wonderful firm is there for us!


    June 4, 2020
  7. Sal Di Costanzo, You are the best Elder attorney. I am an only child and you helped me live through the time my Aunt and Uncle both needed nursing home care. They had no planning not even a will. You helped me get power of attorney and a living trust to be able to care for them as they deserved. Unfortunately by the time they both qualified for Medicaid after 2 years of your hard work they passed away in February , when Medicaid was being approved that May. They had a quality life due to your planning efforts , and dealing with my emotional status through it all you kept me on the the right track. It was not even a year later that I came to you with my Dad to do the right thing for him and create an irrevocable trust. We are almost 8 years out from the beginning of that irrevocable trust and Dad is still thriving at 87. I can’t thank you enough, today I called you for some advice for my mother in law again you rose to the occasion. Sal , may God bless you and your team for all the wonderful work and emotional support you have lent me over the years.


    January 28, 2020
  8. My family and I have worked with Mr. DiCostanzo and
    Joanna Feldman over the past 7 years. We recently needed help with a complicated legal matter. We are most pleased with the professional advice we received as well as the care and reassurance that was given to us.


    November 18, 2019
  9. I rarely, if ever, spend valuable time reviewing businesses. I am making an exception for Maker, Fragale & Di Costanzo law firm, the elder care attorneys we retained for my parents’ financial planning and medicaid applications. They were outstanding in all aspects, but especially in the respect and compassion they showed my parents, as my mother had significant health issues and limited mobility, while my father suffered from Alzheimers. In relation to our legal needs, all the services they were to provide were explained to us in easy-to-understand terms, while detailing any and all possible scenarios throughout the process. There were prompt responses to any questions or concerns we had. Any appointments were scheduled with utmost consideration of my parents. It was an emotionally difficult time for my family and I am grateful to Joanna, Melanie, Salvatore & Bill for the excellent work they did for us.


    November 12, 2019
  10. I would like to thank Maker, Fragale & Di Costanzo, LLP for all their support in obtaining my husbands Medicaid insurance. Kudos also to Joanna Feldman for being very instrumental with the process. From the beginning, Joanna explained that I would be experiencing some bumpy roads but, that it will all work out in the long run. Yes, a run to the finish line! Joanna, was very supportive spiritually and psychologically which gave me comfort. She took ownership on her side and her proactive approach was second to none. I would absolutely recommend this law firm to anyone.


    November 1, 2019
  11. I enjoy each monthly newsletter and find them to be very informative! Thank you Sal and Joanna for your expertise in the area of Elder Law and Estate Planning!


    October 13, 2019
  12. Setting up a Trust is a very confusing and stressful step in planning for the future for yourself as well as those who will be beneficiaries in the Trust. Sal made the process very easy with his vast knowledge as an elder law attorney and an accountant. His calm and friendly manner puts you at ease and he answers questions thoroughly and makes sure you understand what has been said. I would highly recommend him for anyone looking to have peace of mind that the future will make your beneficiaries lives stress free when the inevitable occurs.


    August 9, 2019
  13. Hi Joanna,

    Your lecture was excellent and contained the exact information that I was looking for. While I had heard some of the terms before, I did not fully understand them until your explanation. I read your hand-outs and they too provide explanations in a very straight forward, easy to understand way.

    Thank you very much. I am so glad I attended.


    March 20, 2019
  14. Dear Salvatore Di Costanzo,

    We really appreciate your wise counsel regarding how best to address our concerns regarding our relative. You have given us confidence for a good path forward at this time. Your counsel will allow us to maintain a better relationship with her and helps us respect her independence while allowing us to support and care for her as we are able.

    Thank you for not just taking a retainer and filing a petition for guardianship, but rather listening and understanding our unique issues.

    May the Lord richly bless you in your practice as you walk with integrity.


    December 10, 2018
  15. We had been dealing with a firm who was highly insensitive to our situation. On multiple occasions they exhibited frustration towards our questions, didn’t return phone calls and emails, and were compounding our stress with the very delicate issue of obtaining care for my elderly mother. I’m so glad we decided to make a change and work with Salvatore Di Costanzo and Joanna Feldman. They came highly recommended by a few people who retained their services. My first contact was with Joanna; immediately from our phone conversation (before even retaining the firm) she was compassionate, personable and so informative. Joanna partnered with us throughout the entire process. She was timely in returning phone calls and emails. Ultimately, we received the outcome we were hoping for and worked with a professional and caring group who simplified the process, and treated us with the utmost respect.


    July 20, 2018
  16. Salvatore,

    I would like to take the time to thank you. My wife and I are more than pleased with the level of detail that you and your firm have provided over the past years with our Tax Preparations. As to be expected, we were hesitant to switch our previous Tax Preparer after 20+ years of service but, due to small inaccuracies that had potential personal gains, we felt comfortable to bring our business to your firm after the endorsement of our personal Investment Counselor. Our next move with your firm is to start and finalize our Estate Panning. looking forward to our next meeting.

    Much Thanks,

    Michael & Gay


    April 5, 2018
  17. I would highly recommend Sal Di Costanzo and his team. Sal’s knowledge and expertise in the field of elder care law is phenomenal. He and his staff are also extremely kind and compassionate and helped me through one of the most difficult periods of my life with the sudden loss of my mother and then caring for my father until his passing. Although my husband and I are young, we also engaged Sal to do our own planning for our future, as I witnessed, first-hand, the impact of “no planning”. I am very grateful to Sal and Joanna. Thank you very much.


    February 11, 2018
  18. Joanna, thank you for all of your help. You and your colleagues have been wonderful and have made the Probate process very simple for me. You have my gratitude and recommendation.


    February 6, 2018
  19. I have been very satisfied working with Salvatore Di Constanzo and his staff when rewriting my will.


    November 28, 2017
  20. Thank you so much for all your help and advice through a difficult time for me. I can rest easier knowing Ava will be taken care of.

    With much gratitude.


    June 2, 2017
  21. Dear Mr. Di Costanzo,

    I’m so happy that you have been helpful to me and in the future.

    Your’s respectfully,


    June 2, 2017
  22. Thanks for your valued friendship and service all these years.


    June 2, 2017
  23. Mario S

    After researching and speaking to several eldercare attorneys we were very fortunate to have met Salvatore and Jennifer who we immediately felt most comfortable with and decided use.
    It was clearly one of the best decisions we ever made. They are very nice and pleasant people to work with who were always available to answer my questions. They guided our family through a stressful complex situation and process, during this time they proved to be very well informed all areas of elder care law.
    We are very grateful and happy to have used Salvatore’s firm, I highly recommend anyone seeking elder care information and guidance to meet Sal and Jennifer

    Thank you Sal and Jennifer!

    Mario S.


    December 30, 2016
  24. My sister and I had been caring for our elderly parents for years at thier home until they both required hospital stays and subsequent rehabilitation. They both have dementia and it rapidly progressed became evident that they required skilled 24 hour care. We were cosumed with ensuring thier medical care was adequate and needed competent legal advice for a long term plan to meet their needs.

    Sal Di Costanzo and Jennifer Bienenstock guided us through a very complex and lengthy process to help plan for our parents long term care while protecting their assets which we could not have done on our own. During the process it became apparent that Mr. Di Costanzo’s knowledge of elder law was far beyond that of other lawyers we had previously dealt with. We are grateful for Mr. Di Costanzo’s and Ms. Bienenstock’s help and would give them our highest recommendation them without hesitation.


    July 31, 2016
  25. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to recommend the services of Salvatore Di Costanzo, his law firm and his associates. My wife and I and my mother-in-law were looking for a firm to set up our wills and discuss the options available to us in the Elder Care field. Salvatore discussed all of the options available to us in a calm relaxed manner and we did not feel pressured into making a decision that did not match our objectives. After the final documents were prepared, Salvatore reviewed the contents with us and we left his office feeling that we made the correct decision by choosing Mr. Di Costanzo and his firm of Maker, Fragale and Di Contanzo to handle our Elder Care planning.


    January 15, 2016
  26. I was referred to Sal by a colleague of mine that I hadn’t spoken with for some time. I live in the South; my family and I were really in a difficult situation. Our elderly mother, who lives in Long Island, has advanced dementia. She had taken a fall incurring several broken ribs and was recuperating in a hospital. When she was ready to be released, we didn’t want her going back to living alone in her home and knew a skilled nursing facility with memory care was her next step. We attempted to find appropriate facilities in Long Island but were running into many responses indicating they were at capacity. With some pressure from the hospital for a release, I reached out to some of my colleagues in Westchester County so we could broaden our search and as stated Sal was referred to me as one who might be able to help. I was clear with him that our family had been using the services of an elder-care attorney and speaking to me would not lead to a potential paying client. Regardless, Sal was willing to listen, offered several very viable options and made a call on my behalf to one of the facilities he knew in Westchester – all without the possibility of our family becoming a client. That’s what I call outstanding! I can only imagine how much of an advocate he would be had I been a client. If you are considering Sal and his firm, I guess you can’t have a better recommendation than one that comes from a non-client! He is the real deal.


    January 7, 2016
  27. My husband and I began researching estate planning at least five years ago. After attending several workshops and meeting with a couple of attorneys, we gave up. The process seemed complicated, overwhelming and expensive.
    As time passed, the need to act became more pressing. My sister had gone to Sal and liked him. I investigated his credentials, and found that they were impeccable. We decided to set up a meeting.
    My husband, who is scared to death (no pun intended) of the whole process, liked Sal immediately. Sal is friendly, easy to talk to, and made the process relaxed. He prepared our documents in a powerful but simple way. Both Sal and his associate, Jennifer, were always available to answer my many questions and were pleased to educate me whenever I didn’t understand something. The whole process went smoothly, and I have complete faith in the final result.
    I am happy to say that we can now rest easy knowing that were are as prepared as one can be for eventualities.
    Thank you Sal and Jen!


    November 29, 2015
  28. I am so grateful to have been introduced to Ms. Jennifer Bienenstock and Mr. Salvatore Di Costanzo. My husband was hospitalized for a long period of time which resulted in his needing long term care at a nursing facility. As he had not been well for a while, doctors’ appointments were more important than making an appointment with an attorney to put our affairs in order. Ms. Bienenstock guided me through the process in order to be able to place my husband in a nursing home of choice. Unfortunately, my husband passed away shortly after entering the nursing home which now left me with a brand new scenario. Again, Ms. Bienenstock met with me and guided me through a completely different process. She was so patient and explained everything in such detail making an extremely difficult time for me not so difficult at all. Lesson learned was to make sure that all of my affairs are in order which resulted in Ms. Bienenstock helping me set up my estate so I now have some peace and mind for my children for the future.

    – Sharon A.


    October 26, 2015
  29. As the parent of a child with multiple disabilities there are many days and sleepless nights filled with anxiety and in desperate need of hope for the future. One of the most important challenges of raising our son is to find the best advocate for his needs. Our son needs someone that will go the distance for him, and we are happy to say that we have found Salvatore Di Costanzo to be the most caring and trustworthy attorney in New York. Sal takes a special interest in our family and our son’s needs come first. Sal focuses on Special Needs Trusts and we are grateful for his skill in accounting. Sal listens intently to our concerns and guides us to the best decision for our son. We wholeheartedly recommend Sal to parents who need to find peace and confidence in their child’s future.

    – Mary S.


    October 26, 2015
  30. Sal and Jen are knowledgeable and accurate in all facets of elder care law and Medicaid planning. When things looked bleakest, Sal and Jen were able to find a way to get the best possible outcome and save the day. Don’t delay these crucial decisions, your loved ones will be thankful one day.

    – Martin K.


    October 26, 2015
  31. I retained Salvatore Di Costanzo and Jennifer Bienenstock to handle what turned out to be a pair of complicated and problematic Medicaid applications for two elderly relatives. I have worked in the state court system for several years and deal with attorneys on a daily basis. I can state without reservation that the level of skill, attention, and thoughtfulness that Mr. Di Costanzo and Ms. Bienenstock bring to their practice is second to none.

    – Kevin E.


    October 26, 2015
  32. The following narrative is my experience in dealing with Salvatore M. Di Costanzo and Jennifer Bienenstock. In late 2012 my wife had severe medical problems. She broke her hip in July and had to have it reset in November. She also has Parkinson Disease and the onset of dementia.
    My lawyer, at that time, told me that I would have to pay down most of our savings to keep my wife in a nursing home located in Westchester County. He is known as an elder care lawyer.
    I contacted Mr. Di Costanzo and he immediately began to work on my situation. He applied for Medicaid at the end of January, 2014 and my wife was eligible for Medicaid by May 1, 2014. Working with Salvatore and Jennifer for the first six months of 2014 was a smooth process. Any questions that I had, Jennifer was right back with the answers. I have nothing but praise for the work they both have put into my case and I would recommend them to anyone searching for lawyers who respond quickly and efficiently to their situation.
    John S.


    October 26, 2015
  33. We feel extremely lucky to have hired Sal to assist my mother with elder law issues, estate planning and tax matters, all of which being his legal sub-specialties. For the benefit of our complete understanding, in a very thorough manner, Sal simplified the confusing complexities of those intricate legal categories. Then, acting under Sal’s counsel, we developed and implemented a forward-thinking legal plan designed to maximize the benefit to my mother and her heirs. Throughout the process, Sal was attentive in answering our questions, and always treated my mother with noteworthy respect, professionalism, patience and sincere kindness. We maintain a fantastic working relationship with Sal, and continue to call upon him for legal clarification, guidance and advice. As with our original interaction, Sal remains uniquely responsive in addressing my mother’s legal and tax needs. We feel lucky to have found such an informed, knowledgeable and thoughtful lawyer.

    – Doug T.


    October 26, 2015
  34. “I knew my “papers” had to be updated so a friend gave me the name of the best eldercare lawyer in town – Salvatore M. Di Costanzo. He was very patient, helpful and every one of my wishes and needs were executed to my satisfaction. Now I can relax and my children will have no problems when the days come.”
    – Denise S.–


    October 13, 2015
  35. Our family came to attorney Salvatore Di Costanzo seeking guidance on the best plan of action to provide needed nursing home care for our step mother while simultaneously providing for my Father as community spouse. Since grasping the complexities, nuances, unintended effects and implications of the relevant federal and state legal and tax regulations was daunting, we were relieved by the compassionate approach Sal used to put our minds at ease. From our first meeting, Sal’s level of empathy and professionalism shined through and we left his office feeling understood and protected. Sal clearly and succinctly laid out our options and patiently answered our questions especially concerning how the 5 year federal look back rule might impact the family estate. Sal’s attention to detail is remarkable and his combined legal and tax skill set gave us the confidence to know that we were making the right decisions and taking the right courses of action by following his wise advice during each step of the process. Additionally, because of Sal’s elder law expertise, our family was able to reach and maintain consensus on the tough decisions. I can say without hesitation that Sal’s performance exceeded our expectations at every turn. It is with a sense of humility and love that I express my sincerest appreciation for the wonderful service Sal provided and continues to provide our family. I give Sal an unqualified endorsement for professionalism, ability to hit key deadlines, and for his humanity as the highest example of what a lawyer can be.

    Robert W.


    October 13, 2015
  36. “Sal and Jen were extremely helpful as we navigated the confusing labyrinth of social services and the medicare application process. In all of our interactions with them they were professional, responsive, thorough, and empathetic as we worked to secure care for our father. Without Sal and Jen, the process would have taken much longer, and we may not have been successful in making sure we had the resources to help make our father’s last years as comfortable as possible.”

    – Eric T–


    October 13, 2015
  37. “Sal and Jen were extremely helpful as we navigated the confusing labyrinth of social services and the Medicare application process. In all of our interactions with them they were professional, responsive, thorough, and empathetic as we worked to secure care for our father. Without Sal and Jen, the process would have taken much longer, and we may not have been successful in making sure we had the resources to help make our Father’s last years as comfortable as possible.”

    – Eric T–


    October 13, 2015