The Essential Partnership: SRES® Realtor and Elder Law Attorney - Providing Comprehensive Support for Senior Transitions
When Real Estate Expertise Meets Legal Protection: A Powerful Alliance
For seniors contemplating a move, downsizing, or planning their next chapter, the journey involves far more than just selling a home. It encompasses critical legal, financial, and practical considerations that significantly impact quality of life and legacy. This is where the partnership between Scott Selleck, a Senior Real Estate Specialist® with 32 years of experience, and Marize Helmy, Esq., a distinguished elder law attorney at The Manna Helmy Law Group, creates exceptional value.
Meet Marize Helmy, Esq.: Elder Law Expert and Asset Protection Specialist
Marize Helmy brings extensive experience in helping families navigate the complex terrain of estate planning, guardianships, and elder law matters. Since 2006, she has built a reputation as a trusted advisor in the elder law community, known for her tact and skill in navigating complex family dynamics.
As a Partner at The Manna Helmy Law Group (formerly Michael A. Manna & Associates) in Ridgewood, New Jersey, Marize has been honored as a New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2020 through 2023. Her approach combines technical expertise with exceptional communication skills, breaking down sophisticated legal concepts into approachable terms for her clients.
Marize's practice areas include:
- Estate Planning
- Elder Law and Asset Protection
- Guardianships
- Estate Administration
- Real Estate
- Family Law
With her multidisciplinary approach, Marize considers all factors affecting your estate, family, and future, including tax consequences, Medicaid implications, and estate planning considerations. She emphasizes in her "Seven Deadly Sins of Estate Planning" guidance that specialized legal expertise is essential to avoid financial, legal, and emotional pitfalls for families.
The SRES® Advantage: Scott Selleck's Specialized Real Estate Expertise
Complementing Marize's legal expertise is Scott Selleck's 32 years of specialized experience as a Senior Real Estate Specialist®. The SRES® designation represents specialized training and expertise in helping seniors navigate real estate transitions.
The SRES® Behind the Letters:
S – Supportive: Scott provides compassionate, understanding guidance tailored to seniors' unique needs, recognizing that selling a long-held family home involves both practical and emotional considerations.
R – Resourceful: From downsizing tips to navigating retirement housing options, Scott offers valuable tools and insights to make transitions smoother, including specialized knowledge in financial options relevant to seniors.
E – Empowering: He helps clients make confident decisions about their next chapter, creating customized plans to market and sell properties while ensuring their next home meets their current and future needs.
S – Specialized: With in-depth knowledge of local senior housing options and a deep understanding of the emotions involved with later-life transitions, Scott is a go-to expert for 55+ real estate.
Proven Experience That Benefits You
Scott's track record of success directly benefits his clients:
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Sophisticated Market Knowledge: One client noted that Scott is "a comprehensive researcher of competitive properties" who leverages technology and market analysis to position homes optimally.
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Strategic Home Presentation: Known as a "wise advisor on how best to stage a property," ensuring homes make the strongest possible impression on potential buyers.
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Extensive Professional Network: With "a useful black book of resources like handymen, cleaners etc.," connecting clients with trusted professionals to prepare homes efficiently.
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Integrity-Based Approach: Described as "knowledgeable, hardworking, and honest," providing transparent guidance throughout the process.
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Local Connections: As one client shared, "Scott is incredibly knowledgeable about the area we were looking to buy a home, which came in handy throughout the process. His recommendations for legal counsel and title company made a huge difference in our ability to move quickly towards closing."
Why This Partnership Creates Unmatched Value for Seniors
When Scott Selleck and Marize Helmy collaborate, seniors benefit from a comprehensive approach that addresses both the practical aspects of moving and the critical legal protections needed during life transitions:
1. Coordinated Planning
The partnership ensures that real estate decisions align with estate planning and asset protection strategies, preventing costly mistakes that can arise when these decisions are made in isolation.
2. Medicaid and Long-Term Care Considerations
In her guidance, Marize highlights that premature asset transfers to avoid probate can have unintended consequences for Medicaid eligibility. Working with both professionals ensures that these considerations are addressed proactively.
3. Financial Optimization
Combined expertise helps seniors maximize home equity while minimizing tax implications and protecting assets for long-term care needs or legacy planning.
4. Document Coordination
The importance of powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and adequately executed wills—all emphasized by Marize—can be coordinated with real estate transactions to ensure comprehensive protection.
5. Family Support
Both professionals are experienced in navigating complex family dynamics, providing a unified approach supporting seniors and their family members through the transition.
The Collaborative Process: How It Works
The partnership between Scott Selleck and Marize Helmy creates a seamless experience through:
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Comprehensive Consultation: Initial meetings with both professionals help identify goals, potential challenges, and opportunities for the real estate transaction and legal planning.
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Strategic Planning: Developing coordinated strategies that maximize home value while protecting assets and planning for future needs.
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Legal Preparation: Ensuring all necessary legal documents are in place before, during, and after the real estate transaction.
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Expert Implementation: Managing the real estate process with an understanding of how it impacts overall estate and elder care planning.
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Long-Term Support: Providing ongoing guidance as needs evolve, ensuring continuity of care and protection.
Avoiding the "Seven Deadly Sins" of Senior Transitions
Marize Helmy's "Seven Deadly Sins of Estate Planning" highlights critical mistakes that can affect seniors during transitions. The partnership with Scott Selleck helps address these concerns by:
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Establishing Proper Powers of Attorney: Ensuring these are in place before real estate transactions begin.
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Avoiding DIY Approaches: Providing professional expertise instead of relying on online services or general-purpose forms.
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Accessing Specialized Knowledge: Bringing together professionals who understand the nuances of senior real estate and elder law.
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Making Informed Decisions About Asset Transfers: Preventing premature asset transfers that could impact Medicaid eligibility or create tax burdens.
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Understanding Probate Properly: Providing accurate information about New Jersey's probate process and its implications for real estate.
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Securing Inheritance for Younger Beneficiaries: Considering how home equity can be protected for the benefit of children or grandchildren.
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Preserving Critical Documents: Ensuring that legal documents related to estate and estate planning are correctly stored and accessible.
Begin Your Comprehensive Transition Plan
Navigating a senior move involves much more than just selling a home. With the combined expertise of Scott Selleck, an experienced SRES® realtor, and Marize Helmy, Esq., a distinguished elder law attorney, you can confidently approach this significant life transition.
From maximizing your home's value to protecting your assets for the future, this professional partnership provides the comprehensive support needed to make informed decisions about your home, finances, and legacy.
To learn more about how this partnership can benefit you or your loved ones, contact us today for a complimentary consultation and discover how we can help you navigate your next chapter with confidence and peace of mind.
Scott Selleck, KW City Views Realty -
Broker / Sales Associate. SRES
2200 Fletcher Avenue - Suite 502
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Office: 201-592-8900- Cell: 201-970-3960
Email: [email protected]
website: www.SelleckSellsNJ.com
Marize Helmy, Esq. -
The Manna Helmy Law Group
Elder Law Expert and Asset Protection Specialist
65 South Maple Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ, 07450
Office: (201) 502-9979
Email: [email protected]
https://www.mamannalaw.com/
