Self-Help

submitted by Kristen Orr, Tech Paralegal April is National Financial Capability Month. Being financially capable means having the knowledge and the confidence to take charge of your financial wellbeing. You can take charge on your own, but it’s also okay to recognize that you need assistance and enlist appropriate help. Being active and engaged in…

The month of March began with National Consumer Protection Week. The FTC has recently reported that Americans lost upwards of $3.3 billion to scams and fraud in 2020. This is almost double the amount lost in 2019! Just in New York State, which had the 9th highest rate of fraud reports to the FTC in…

submitted by Liam McMahon, Paralegal The Center for Elder Law & Justice (CELJ) is excited to announce the release of two new informational guides for long-term care consumers in Western New York. In October of 2019, with generous funding provided by the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Benefit Fund, CELJ began a new resident rights advocacy…

submitted by Sarah Hedden, Esq. The coronavirus pandemic is a scary and stressful time for everyone, but particularly for children. Their schools are closed, routines are disrupted, and they or their loved ones may be sick. It’s important to continue a routine for ourselves and the children we care for. Across the United States, about…

The SFST Bulletin is a monthly electronic publication written for financial professionals. Our goal is to increase awareness of legal issues faced by older adults in our community related to financial exploitation by providing these informative materials to financial professionals. Each month the SFST Bulletin will focus on new and timely topics that affect consumer…

The Center for Elder Law & Justice has partnered with Lake Shore Savings Bank to utilize the Senior Financial Safety Tool (SFST). The SFST is a web-based application that screens older adults for common warning signs of financial exploitation. Our goal is to develop a detection and referral system so that we can work collaboratively…

Grandparents (or other family members) raising grandchildren face unique challenges as they become parents a second time around, and must often navigate a dizzying array of legal, financial, and social challenges as they step in to care for their grandchildren. In addition, grandparents must often stretch their budgets when they take on the…

At Legal Services for the Elderly, we often work with caregivers who assist clients by providing physical, medical, and emotional support. We applaud the selfless work of these caregivers; taking care of an aging spouse, parent, friend, or relative can be very rewarding but is also incredibly stressful. It is important to reach out if…

Have you ever written a letter to your government representative? If not, you should consider it! Elected officials are interested in what their constituents have to say. If there is a topic important to you, consider sending a brief letter to your local representative. United State House of Representatives If you live in 26th Congressional…