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Anthony J. Enea, Esq. is the managing partner of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP with offices in White Plains and Somers, New York. For nearly 40 years, Mr. Enea has devoted his practice to educating and protecting the rights of seniors, the disabled and their families from the costs of long term care.

Mr. Enea and his firm concentrate their practice on Elder Law, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Asset Protecting Planning, Special Needs Planning, Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home and Home Care) and Guardianships (contested/non-contested).

He is the author of hundreds of published articles and a frequent lecturer to seniors, the disabled, attorneys, CPAs and financial advisors, with respect to the planning options available to seniors and their rights. For decades Mr. Enea's articles have been published in such publications as the New York State Bar Journal, the Trusts and Estates, Elder Law, General Practice Law and Elder Law Journal for the New York State Bar Association, the Westchester County Business Journal and the Westchester County Bar Journal and Newsletter, and Tax Stringer for the New York State Society of CPAs.

Mr. Enea has been certified and re-certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation as accredited by the American Bar Association*. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the New York State Bar Association as a vice-chair of the Committee on the Elderly and Disabled.

Mr. Enea is the past chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Enea is a past president and a founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He is also a member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners of NAELA and the Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County.

Mr. Enea is a past president of the Westchester County Bar Association and Westchester County Bar Foundation.

Mr. Enea is a past chair of the 50+ Section of the New York State Bar Association.

Mr. Enea is the 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, the Dr. Joseph A. Cimino Community Service Award from the Dominican Sisters, and the Honorable Richard J. Daranco Distinguished Service Award from the Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County.

Mr. Enea has been selected as a Super Lawyer for seventeen consecutive years, and for 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was selected as a Top 25 Super Lawyer in Westchester County.

Mr. Enea for the thirteenth consecutive year has also been selected for inclusion in the "Best Lawyers in America" as an Elder Law Attorney for 2024. In addition, he was recognized as a Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" in White Plains five times.

Mr. Enea is an "AV" Rated Preeminent Attorney as rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Enea is the founder of the Anthony J. Enea Elder Law Scholarship at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University.

Mr. Enea is also fluent in Italian.

*The National Elder Law Foundation is not affiliated with any Governmental authority. Certification is not a requirement for the practice of Law in the State of New York and does not necessarily indicate greater competence than other attorneys experienced in this field of law.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 245 Main Street, Suite 500
    White Plains, NY 10601
Languages
  • English
  • Italian
Education
  • Pace University, J.D., graduated 1985
Bar Admissions
  • New York, New York, 1986
  • New York, U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1986
Affiliations
  • Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County - Board Member
  • Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s Board of Visitors - Member
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys - Founding Member, Past President, New York Chapter
  • National Elder Law Foundation - Certified Elder Law Attorney
  • New York State Bar Association - Past Chair, Elder Law & Special Needs Section
  • New York State Bar Association - Past Chair, 50+ Lawyers Section
  • New York State Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • Office of Court Administration for the State of New York - Member, Guardianship Advisory Committee
  • Westchester County Bar Association - Past President
  • Westchester County Bar Foundation - Immediate Past President

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Elder Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Elder Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Trusts and Estates
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Trusts and Estates, White Plains (2019)
  • Elder Law, White Plains (2018)
  • Trusts and Estates, White Plains (2017)
  • Elder Law, White Plains (2016)
  • Trusts and Estates, White Plains (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Elder Law
  • Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Estate Planning
  • Medicaid
Awards:
  • Best Lawyer, Elder Law and Trusts & Estates, The Best Lawyers in America, 2012 – 2024
  • Top 25 Super Lawyers, Westchester County, Thomson Reuters, 2009, 2010, 2013 – 2015, 2018 – 2023
  • Super Lawyers, New York Metro, Thomson Reuters, 2007 – 2023
  • Lawyer of the Year in Trusts and Estates, White Plains, Best Lawyers in America, 2015, 2017, 2019
  • Lawyer of the Year in Elder Law, White Plains, Best Lawyers in America, 2016, 2018
  • Distinguished Service Award, Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, 2018
  • Honorable Richard J. Daronco Distinguished Service Award, Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County, 2016
  • Dr. Joseph A. Cimino Community Service Award, ArchCare at Home, 2016
  • Golden Harvest Corporate Award, Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services, 2014
  • Westchester County's Leading Elder Care Attorney, Above the Bar Awards, 2013
  • AV-Rated Preeminent Attorney, Martindale Hubbell, 2002 - Present

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What All Attorneys Should Know About Elder Law


With approximately 70 million people reaching retirement age questions pertaining to elder law will increase. This makes understanding elder law increasingly important.

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Anthony J.

Enea

Does A Joint Bank Account Automatically Contain A Right Of Survivorship?


A joint bank account is a ubiquitous and popular way to own an account with one’s spouse, children, loved ones and friends.

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Anthony J.

Enea

Home Is Where The Heart Is: The Medicaid Home Care Alternative


The Medicaid Home Care program provides a solution for many Medicaid eligible seniors.

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Anthony J.

Enea

When Is A Crisis A Medicaid Crisis?


The implementation of a Medicaid crisis plan is an extremely valuable tool in helping to prevent the unnecessary dissipation of all of one’s life savings in the event nursing home care is required.

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Anthony J.

Enea

New York’s Proposed Aid-In-Dying Bill: What You Should Know


While the issue of euthanasia and/or physician assisted suicide has been front and center in the American psyche since the days of Dr. Kevorkian and Karen Ann Quinlan, the controversial nature of this issue is still as strong today as it was forty to fifty years ago.

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Anthony J.

Enea

Is America Prepared for an Alzheimer's Crisis?


Anthony J. Enea shares how Alzheimer's patients and their families can take a proactive approach in planning for their future.

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Anthony J.

Enea

Anthony J. Enea, White Plains "Lawyer of the Year" for Trusts and Estates 2017


by Nat Barr

Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano's Anthony J. Enea on his 30-year fight to protect the rights of seniors, the disabled, and their families.

Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano

The Treatment and Marshalling of Joint Accounts in an Article 81 Guardianship Proceeding


by Anthony J. Enea

There are numerous legitimate and logical reasons for the creation of a joint account. However, when an Article 81 Guardianship Proceeding is commenced and the Alleged Incapacitated Person (“AIP”) has accounts jointly owned with another person, it is imperative for the Petitioner to determine the reason the joint account(s) was created ...

Joint Accounts

Protect Your Pets: Westchester Elder Law Attorney Anthony Enea Explains How to Provide for Pets in an Estate Plan


by Anthony J. Enea

Along with pet ownership comes the responsibility of ensuring your companion animal's care and well-being - even if that extends beyond your lifetime.

Elder Law - Pets Estate Plan

Does A Joint Bank Account Automatically Contain A Right Of Survivorship?


by Anthony J. Enea

A joint bank account is a ubiquitous and popular way to own an account with one’s spouse, children, loved ones and friends.

Joint Bank Accounts

Is a Trust for my Pet a Viable Option?


The question most pet owners’ face is what steps they can undertake to ensure that their pet or other domestic animal is properly provided for in the event of their demise.

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Anthony J.

Enea

Is a Trust for my Pet a Viable Option?


by Anthony J. Enea

The question most pet owners’ face is what steps they can undertake to ensure that their pet or other domestic animal is properly provided for in the event of their demise.

Trust for Pets

The Problems with Probate


by Anthony J. Enea

The complexity, cost and delays associated with the Probate process are not often discussed. The following are some of the reasons one should try to avoid utilizing a Last Will that needs to be admitted to Probate upon one's demise:

Probate Problems

How To Avoid Five Common Estate and Elder Law Planning Mistakes


by Anthony J. Enea

Having a basic understanding of these common mistakes can help reduce the risk of making some unfortunate errors.

Estate and Elder Law Planning

Factors to Consider when Selecting an Executor, Trustee, or Agent under a Power of Attorney


by Anthony J. Enea

The decision of who you should select as the executor of your Last Will & Testament, trustee of any trust you create, or as the agent under your Power of Attorney (POA) is a difficult task and one that involves the consideration of numerous factors.

Selecting Executor, Trustee, Power of Attorne

To UMTA or Not to UMTA?


by Anthony J. Enea

To UMTA or Not to UMTA?

To UMTA or Not to UMTA?

Anthony J. Enea, 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" for Elder Law


by Nicole Ortiz

Anthony J. Enea of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP was named 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" in White Plains for Elder Law.

Anthony J. Enea LOTY

To Gift or Not to Gift: ’Tis the Question for the Season!


To Gift or Not to Gift: ’Tis the Question for the Season!

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Anthony J.

Enea

Owning Bitcoin May Complicate Your Estate Plan and Income Taxes


Owning Bitcoin May Complicate Your Estate Plan and Income Taxes

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Anthony J.

Enea

Four New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep


Four New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

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Anthony J.

Enea

4 Legal New Years Resolutions You Can Actually Keep


by Anthony J. Enea

New Years resolutions don't always work, but these four reasonable suggestions will serve you well for many more years to come.

4 Legal New Years Resolutions

Factors to Consider When Naming a Health Care Agent


by Anthony J. Enea

A health care agent can make medical decisions for you and see that your end of life wishes are respected.

What Does a Health Care Agent Do?

Factors to Consider When Naming a Health Care Agent


Factors to Consider When Naming a Health Care Agent

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Anthony J.

Enea

Owning Bitcoin May Complicate Your Estate Plan and Income Taxes


by Anthony J. Enea

Your cryptocurrency assets could pose problems when it comes to your income and estate taxes.

Bitcoin and Income Tax

2019 Elder Law and Trusts & Estates Update


2019 Elder Law and Trusts & Estates Update

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Anthony J.

Enea

The Basics of Hospice Care


The Basics of Hospice Care

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Anthony J.

Enea

Is it Time for You to Have the Long-Term Care Planning Talk with Your Parents?


Is it Time for You to Have the Long-Term Care Planning Talk with Your Parents?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Is It Time for You to Have the Long-Term Care Planning Talk With Your Parents?


by Anthony J. Enea

How should you talk to your parents about long-term care options? Estate planning can make for a difficult conversation, but wills and trusts are necessary documents for anyone growing older.

long-term-care-parents-guide-estate-planning

What Is a Pooled Community Trust and How Does It Help Keep New Yorkers in Their Homes?


A pooled community trust allows disabled people who have Medicaid coverage to spend their monthly income that is designated as "surplus" on their own immediate living expenses and daily needs.

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Anthony J.

Enea

When am I Going Home?


When am I Going Home?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Should a Third Party Special Needs Trust Be Revocable or Irrevocable?


Should a Third Party Special Needs Trust Be Revocable or Irrevocable?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Four Easy to Keep New Year’s Resolutions


Four Easy to Keep New Year’s Resolutions

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Anthony J.

Enea

Can I Still Protect My Assets if I Need Long Term Care in the Immediate Future?


Can I Still Protect My Assets if I Need Long Term Care in the Immediate Future?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Why the Secure Act of 2019 May Not Make You Feel Very Secure


Why the Secure Act of 2019 May Not Make You Feel Very Secure

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Anthony J.

Enea

What is an “ADL” and Why is it so Important to Medicaid Home Care Applicants?


What is an “ADL” and Why is it so Important to Medicaid Home Care Applicants?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Pandemics and Planning: Lessons Learned


It's important to be prepared for life-threatening emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are six basic estate planning documents and advanced directives that everyone should have in order to deal with any potential health crisis.

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Anthony J.

Enea

The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Long Term Impact on Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes


The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Long Term Impact on Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes

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Anthony J.

Enea

New Medicaid Eligibility Rules Make Asset Protection Planning an Urgent Need!


New Medicaid Eligibility Rules Make Asset Protection Planning an Urgent Need!

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Anthony J.

Enea

What Impact Will the Pandemic and The Presidential Election Have on Federal and New York Estate Tax Exemptions?


What Impact Will the Pandemic and The Presidential Election Have on Federal and New York Estate Tax Exemptions?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Seniors and the Disabled Get a Needed Reprieve from the Imposition of the new Penalty and Lookback Period for Community Medicaid


Seniors and the Disabled Get a Needed Reprieve from the Imposition of the new Penalty and Lookback Period for Community Medicaid

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Anthony J.

Enea

To Gift or Not to Gift? Tis the Question for the Season!


To Gift or Not to Gift? Tis the Question for the Season!

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Anthony J.

Enea

If Covid-19 Is Not Enough to Motivate You to Get Your Estate and Elder Law Planning and Affairs in Order, What Is?


If Covid-19 Is Not Enough to Motivate You to Get Your Estate and Elder Law Planning and Affairs in Order, What Is?

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Anthony J.

Enea

You Don’t Have to be Rich to Have a Trust!


You Don’t Have to be Rich to Have a Trust!

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Anthony J.

Enea

Is This an Opportune Time to Gift Your Commercial Real Estate Holdings for Estate and Gift Tax Planning Purposes?


Is This an Opportune Time to Gift Your Commercial Real Estate Holdings for Estate and Gift Tax Planning Purposes?

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Anthony J.

Enea

The Long-Awaited Modifications to the Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney Have Been Enacted


The Long-Awaited Modifications to the Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney Have Been Enacted

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Anthony J.

Enea

Time to Re-focus on Protecting One’s Home From the Cost of Long Term Care


Time to Re-focus on Protecting One’s Home From the Cost of Long Term Care

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Anthony J.

Enea

The Consequences of Being in Denial About a Loved One’s Deteriorating Condition


The Consequences of Being in Denial About a Loved One’s Deteriorating Condition

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Anthony J.

Enea

The Decision to Transfer One’s Residence to Loved Ones or a Trust Requires Consideration of Many Factors


The Decision to Transfer One’s Residence to Loved Ones or a Trust Requires Consideration of Many Factors

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Anthony J.

Enea

Factors that Help Determine Whether a Senior Is a Victim of Elder Abuse


Factors that Help Determine Whether a Senior Is a Victim of Elder Abuse

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Anthony J.

Enea

The “Last Call” for Medicaid Homecare Without a Look-Back Period for Transfers Has Perhaps Arrived


The “Last Call” for Medicaid Homecare Without a Look-Back Period for Transfers Has Perhaps Arrived

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Anthony J.

Enea

Can New Yorkers Afford Medicaid Home Care & Nursing Home For All?


Can New Yorkers Afford Medicaid Home Care & Nursing Home For All?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Making Sense of the 2022 Changes to the Medicaid Home Care Program


Making Sense of the 2022 Changes to the Medicaid Home Care Program

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Anthony J.

Enea

How Can I Protect My Home with Minimal Impact on My Life?


How Can I Protect My Home with Minimal Impact on My Life?

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Anthony J.

Enea

Merely Creating an LLC Doesn’t Automatically Give You Personal Protection Against Potential Claims and Creditors of the LLC


Merely Creating an LLC Doesn’t Automatically Give You Personal Protection Against Potential Claims and Creditors of the LLC

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Anthony J.

Enea

Where There’s No Will . . .


by Anthony J. Enea

. . . there’s no way for you to ensure your assets get distributed the way you would prefer. A guide to the consequences of exiting the stage without a last will and testament in New York.

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2023 Brings Changes to Medicaid Eligibility Requirements & Estate/Gift Tax Exemption


Medicaid home care is a very advantageous option for seniors and the disabled that need assistance with activities of daily living in their home

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Anthony J.

Enea

What Is a QPRT and How Can I Utilize It to My Advantage?


QPRT’s can be an ideal planning tool for second/vacation homes that one expects will remain in the family for generations

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Anthony J.

Enea

Issues Small Business Owners Need to Address When Implementing an Estate Plan


Why estate planning is essential for small business owners – and how to get started

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Anthony J.

Enea

The Importance Of A Third Party SNT For A Disabled Loved One


When considering an SNT for a loved one, it is important to thoroughly review the present and potential future needs of the disabled beneficiary

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Anthony J.

Enea

Have You Kept Your Loved Ones in the Dark?


As one ages, keeping secrets from family may result in the family’s inability to take the necessary steps to protect their loved one’s estate from estate taxes and the cost of long-term care.

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Anthony J.

Enea

Why Regular Reporting by the Agent Under a Power of Attorney Is the Best Practice


Understanding the legal framework and responsibilities for POA agents

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Anthony J.

Enea

Being Proactive in Retirement


While being proactive is a great idea during any stage in life, the failure to do so when one has reached retirement age can be quite expensive.

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Anthony J.

Enea

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