Deborah S. Ball

The Law Offices of Deborah S. Ball is a practice concentrating on elder law and special needs. Her practice includes advising clients with respect to long-term care planning; advanced directives; guardianships; trust and estate planning options, including will preparation; estate administration; and kinship proceedings.  As a former Assistant District Attorney, she investigated financial abuse of the elderly.  In addition to representing petitioners in guardianship proceedings, she has been appointed as guardian, guardian ad litem, court evaluator, and attorney for the alleged incapacitated person. She has also served as guardian ad litem in Surrogate's Court proceedings.Ms. Ball is an active member of the New York State Bar Association Elder Law Special Needs Section, where she is a member of the executive committee.  She is the Co-Chair of the Legislation Committee and former Co-Chair of the Elder Abuse Committee, and serves on the Guardianship Committee, the Mental Health Law Committee, and the Committee on Special Needs Planning.  She has served on the Committee on Representing Developmentally Disabled Persons for more than 25 years; and is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section. Ms. Ball presently serves as a member of the board of the Brandeis Association of Jewish Lawyers. She is a member of the Attorney's Council of the New York Chapter of Hadassah and served as the co-chair for the Working Mother's Committee of the Women's Bar Association and is currently a member of the elder law section.  Ms. Ball is a past member of the board of directors of the Queens Interagency Council on Aging. Ms. Ball currently serves as the Treasurer of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. In addition, Ms. Ball is a member of the Safety and Security Subcommittee, part of the Master Plan of Aging, which was created under Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership to help older adults age with dignity and independence.