We are a Hudson Valley law firm delivering expert, valuable, and reliable legal services focused in the areas of estate planning, trust planning, elder law, Surrogate’s Court estate administration, and estate litigation.

We know that the process of handling one’s estate affairs or those of a parent or child can be difficult or daunting.  We pride ourselves on delivering solutions and results that ultimately give clients confidence and peace of mind.   When representing clients in court, we employ smart aggressive advocacy together with a realistic approach to every case we handle.  At the Law Offices of James Yastion, PLLC, we believe that every client deserves an attorney that cares deeply about their case and who will protect the client’s interests every step of the way.

 

James G. Yastion, Esq., Attorney

James represents both individuals, businesses, and not-for-profits in a wide range of legal disputes and transactions. Before starting his own firm in 2011, James worked in a multi-attorney firm located in Goshen, New York, in the areas of trusts and estates litigation, commercial litigation and landlord/tenant matters.  Prior to that, from 2001 to 2008, James worked in a boutique trusts and estates firm in White Plains where he handled probate and surrogate’s court matters, guardianships, and real estate transactions.  James has represented the Ulster County Commissioner of Finance as Public Administrator since 2016.

 

Bar Admissions

  • State of New York, Admitted 2002
  • S. Federal District Court, Southern District of New York, Admitted 2009
  • S. Federal District Court, Northern District of New York, Admitted 2009

Education

  • John’s University School of Law, Jamaica, New York J.D., June, 2001
  • Fordham University, New York, New York, A., May, 1998 (Greek & Latin)

Publications and Presentations

James has presented frequently and authored numerous publications in the areas of trusts and estates and elder law, including the following:

  • Elder Law and Special Needs Journal, Using Trusts for Asset Protection, Winter 2022
  • Presenter: Six Secrets to a Successful Estate Plan, New Paltz, NY, September 26, 2015
  • Co-Presenter: Estate Planning Seminar, Elting Memorial Library, New Paltz, NY, September 17, 2015
  • Faculty, SUNY New Paltz Lifetime Learning Institute, Overview – Estate Planning and Elder Law, 2014
  • NYSBA CLE course book contributing author: “The Scope of Pre-Objection Discovery in Contested Probate Matters – A Legal Issue in Flux,” Successfully Handling an Examination under SCPA 1404, Summer, 2008
  • “Westchester Surrogate’s Court Cases Help Bar With Scope of Discovery in Contested Probate Matters,” Westchester County Bar Association Newsletter, April, 2008
  • “Estate Litigation Tidbits,” Westchester Bar Journal, Vol. 32, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2005
  • “Surrogate’s Court Discovery, Recent Cases Illustrate Changes Under Provisions of SCPA,” New York State Bar Association Journal, Vol. 76, No. 9, Nov./Dec. 2004
  • “Estate Litigation Tidbits,” Westchester Bar Journal, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2004
  • “Estate Litigation Tidbits,” Westchester Bar Journal, Vol. 31, No. 2, Fall/Winter 2004
  • NYSBA CLE course book contributing author: Estate Litigation, Fall, 2004
  • “Estate Litigation Tidbits,” Westchester Bar Journal, Vol. 30, No. 2, Fall/Winter 2003
  • “Estate Litigation Tidbits,” Westchester Bar Journal, Vol. 29, No. 2, Fall 2002
  • Assisted in Preparation of: “How to Avoid Will Contests for Your Elderly Clients, Westchester Bar Journal, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2004; “Estate Litigation Tidbits,” Westchester Bar Journal, Vol. 29, No. 1, Spring 2002

Memberships and Pro Bono

    • James is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Elder Law and Special Needs Planning Section of the New York State Bar Association.
    • James has rendered legal services pro bono for various organizations including the Wallkill Valley Land Trust and School of Practical Philosophy.

 

Jocelyn Broughton, Paralegal

Jocelyn provides paralegal assistance in all aspects of client intake and in estate and trust planning, as well as real estate matters at the firm.  She has been with the firm since 2016.

 

Education

  • 1998, Ulster County Community College (AA)
  • 1999, Marist College – paralegal certificate
  • 2001, Marist College – BA in Integrative Studies with Concentration in Criminal Justice

 

Employment:

  • 2001 – 2016 Personal Injury, Municipal and Environmental Law, Medical Malpractice

Kitti Hamberger, Legal Assistant

Kitti works in the probate and administration department of the firm where she handles all phases of probate, administration and trust administrations.  Kitti brings a wealth of experience to her job having worked both in the private sector and in the courts including the Kings County Surrogate’s Court.

Education

  • 2014 B.S. in Criminal Justice Theory and Practice, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY
  • 2012 A.S. in Criminal Justice, SUNY Ulster, Stone Ridge, NY