Attorney Rachel Hirschfeld is devoted to providing the best possible legal representation in Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Pet Protection Agreements, Pet Trusts and Trusts and Estates matters.
At the Law Offices of Rachel Hirschfeld (located in New York, NY, White Plains, NY and Rockland County, NY), we offer you discrete and professional legal representation, and the attention and service you deserve. Attorney Hirschfeld protects the rights of the elderly, individuals and families, and is experienced in handling the following legal issues:
- Estate Planning
- Elder Law
- Trusts
- Pet Trusts and Pet Protection Agreements
- Probate
- Wills
- Estate Administration
- Guardianships
- Conservatorships
- Medicaid Planning
- Medical Directives
- Retirement Planning
- Health Care Proxies
- Living Wills
- Powers of Attorney
- Supplemental Needs and Special Needs Trusts for the Disabled
Attorney Rachel Hirschfeld is committed to assisting the elderly and their family members through a stressful and confusing time in their lives. She is also highly skilled in legally securing your animal companions' fates, in the absence of their masters. She is the creator of the Hirschfeld Pet Trust. She will ably assist you and your loved ones to determine the best course of action for current and long-term needs and goals.
Ms. Hirschfeld practices in New York, the Bronx, Kings, Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester and Nassau Counties. She is fluent in French, English, Italian and Hebrew, and has clients worldwide including France, Switzerland and Argentina.
If you or someone you care about needs legal assistance concerning estate matters in New York, contact Attorney Rachel Hirschfeld toll free at 1-866-697-9534 to speak with a skilled New York Estate Planning Lawyer concerning your Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Pet Trusts, and Trusts and Estate Planning needs.
Pet Trusts

New York Pet Trusts Attorney Rachel Hirschfeld understands that pet owners are extremely devoted to their animal companions and that, for many, their animals are members of their families. She also understands that without a plan many animals end up without the care they need, and she is committed to helping individuals and families establish a pet trust for their animals. Many pet owners entrust future animal care informally to someone they know. However, a pet trust has many advantages over an informal agreement.
A pet trust is a freestanding legal document. Unlike a will, a pet trust protects your pet immediately and can apply if you die, become ill or are incapacitated. When you create a pet trust, an owner specifies a trustee to control the funds (if you choose to leave funds) and determine when your trust becomes effective. You also choose a caretaker who may be an individual or you may designate a sanctuary or animal retirement home for your pet.
In 1996, New York authorized trusts for animals. Prior to the enactment of the statute, significant obstacles existed when attempting to establish valid, enforceable trusts for pets and other animals. In a properly written pet trust, the trustee must administer the trust and make distributions for the benefit of the pet, although there is no requirement to fund the pet trust. Contact Attorney Rachel Hirschfeld for more information on setting up a pet trust in New York.
If you or someone you care about needs legal assistance concerning estate matters in New York, contact Attorney Rachel Hirschfeld toll free at 1-866-697-9534 to speak with a skilled New York Estate Planning Lawyer concerning your Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Pet Trusts, and Trusts and Estate Planning needs.
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Pet Trusts: People Leave Money For Their Pets
The Washington Post August 30, 2007 By DAVID B. CARUSO The Associated Press NEW YORK — Leona Helmsley’s decision to leave $12 million to her dog so it could live out its life in luxury proved once and for all that she was not one of the little people. But legal experts say that, size aside, Helmsley’s gift to her [...] -
Pet Protection Documents: Swizzle, Stay! With Me
By Rachel Hirschfeld, Esq. www.mypetprotection.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) ''Who owns the pet?” is the first question in pet protection documents. It is important to establish ownership so that legal court battles can be thwarted during divorce or [...] -
Pets Now Added To Estate Plans and Trusts: Till Pets Do Us Part
Streetside Investor September 5, 2007 Till Pets Do Us Part About 63% of households in the United States own a pet " that's about 71.1 million homes, according to a survey from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association Inc. As many as 25% of families with a pet have provided for their animals through wills or trusts. [...] -
Pet Trust: The Modern Family and Animal Companions
The Modern Family. . . Emerging Law Affecting Married Couples, Domestic Partners,Singles, Seniors & Animal Companions Monday, December 3 6 -9 p.m. https://www.nycbar.org/CLE/show_course.php?cnameid=1671 This program will examine the issues confronting different generations of a modern family, specifically the issues concerning the role of animals in that family. The subject has been on the rise in law schools, bar associations, [...] -
Plan your pet's future: They're at risk because we forget
By Rosalie Robles Crowe Arizona Daily Star Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.10.2007 Love, patience and loyalty. They’re yours " if you have a pet. And according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63 percent of U.S. households, or 71.1 million homes, do. Pets provide their owners with more than a warm, fuzzy feeling, however. They help reduce blood [...]


