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Romance scams: If your heart is open to love
Scams Kelsie Abbt Scams Kelsie Abbt

Romance scams: If your heart is open to love

Romance Scams, or Sweetheart Scams, are particularly nefarious scams that are becoming increasingly common.  These scams involve a stranger approaching you online and establishing a close connection very quickly. They use fake pictures and made-up backstories in order to make you interested in them; they seem very real and engaging.

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Nursing home and adult care Facility visitation guidelines - NYS Department of Health
Nursing Homes Bria Lewis, Esq. Nursing Homes Bria Lewis, Esq.

Nursing home and adult care Facility visitation guidelines - NYS Department of Health

The NYS Department of Health (DOH) issued updated guidelines for visitation for both nursing homes and adult care facilities (ACFs). Nursing homes and ACFs must continue to maintain infection prevention practices. Additionally, visitation should be person-centered and should consider the residents’ physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being, and support their quality of life.

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Are CPS Safety Plans Legally Binding?
Kinship and Family Law Sarah Hedden, Esq., MSW Kinship and Family Law Sarah Hedden, Esq., MSW

Are CPS Safety Plans Legally Binding?

Child Protective Service (CPS) (known as “Administration for Children’s Services ACS, in NYC) is tasked with investigating reports of child maltreatment, and with keeping children safe. When a CPS/ACS caseworker finds a situation where a child is unsafe, they often work with the family to create a plan to keep the child(ren) safe while the parent works on the issues that are affecting safety.

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My landlord changed the locks: is that allowed?
Housing Megan Poynter, Law Graduate Housing Megan Poynter, Law Graduate

My landlord changed the locks: is that allowed?

If you have a lease or have lawfully been occupying the dwelling for 30 days or more, you have protection from unlawful evictions. In addition to tenants who occupy their dwelling as part of a current oral or written lease, anyone who has lawfully occupied premises for 30 days is entitled to protection from unlawful eviction

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Adult Guardianship Basics
Guardianship Christopher Phillips, Esq. Guardianship Christopher Phillips, Esq.

Adult Guardianship Basics

Adult Guardianship is a legal process used to support individuals who are unable to make decisions or manage affairs for themselves. Learn the basics including how to become a guardian and what responsibilities guardians have in New York State.

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Home Care Access - Delays and Complaints
Health Care Kelly Barrett Sarama, Esq. Health Care Kelly Barrett Sarama, Esq.

Home Care Access - Delays and Complaints

Even before the pandemic, we were monitoring the trend of a shortage in home care aides across New York. Throughout the pandemic, these shortages have worsened, causing some individuals to forgo the level of care they need and deserve. Below, we briefly outline some of the trends we are monitoring, and suggest complaint avenues you can take if you are experiencing these issues. This blog is focused on accessing home care services through the various Medicaid programs, since Medicaid is the primary payer of home care and long-term care in New York.

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Patient Right to Access Medical Records
Health Care Bria Lewis, Esq. Health Care Bria Lewis, Esq.

Patient Right to Access Medical Records

New York State Law gives patients and other qualified individuals (including but not limited to Legal Guardians, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Proxies) access to medical records. You can request your medical records from your physician or a health care facility (including hospitals, home care facilities, hospices, health maintenance organizations and shared health facilities). All information concerning or relating to your examination or treatment must be available for your review.

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