Julia L. Santo is an Associate in Abrams Fensterman LLP’s Elder Law and Estate Planning Group, where she concentrates her practice on Medicaid planning, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and probate proceedings. She advises individuals and families on preserving assets, planning for long-term care, and implementing comprehensive estate plans tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Before joining Abrams Fensterman, Ms. Santo served as the Managing Attorney of the New York City office of a boutique elder law and trusts and estates firm. She earned her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Binghamton University and her Juris Doctor from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. While at Hofstra, she served as Head Research Editor of the American College of Trust and Estates Law Journal, a scholarly publication for trusts and estates practitioners.
Recognized as a leader in elder law, Ms. Santo is a frequent author and speaker on Medicaid, guardianship, advance directives, and estate planning. She regularly presents continuing education programs for attorneys, social workers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations. Ms. Santo is the co-author of Appealing for Care: Navigating the Medicaid Appeals Process, published in the Society of Certified Senior Advisors Journal, which provides practical guidance on Medicaid denials, appeals, and securing home care services, and The Corporate Transparency Act Is Here: The Effects on Elder Law Practice, published in the New York State Bar Association Elder Law & Special Needs Law Journal (Fall 2024).
Ms. Santo is admitted to practice in New York and is an active leader within the New York State Bar Association. She serves as Co-Chair of the Sponsorship Committee of the Elder Law & Special Needs Section and Vice Co-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Trusts & Estates Law Section. She is also Vice Co-Chair of the Elder Law, Social Services, and Health Advocacy Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association.
Ms. Santo has been selected as a New York Metro Rising Star in Elder Law by Super Lawyers in 2024, 2025, and 2026, an honor awarded to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in the state.
Bar Associations
- New York
Education
- Binghamton University, B.S. in Human Development, cum laude
- Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, Juris Doctorate
Honors and Awards
Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2024, 2025, 2026
Published Works
- Co-author, “When Capacity Fluctuates: Estate Planning for Clients With Mental Illness,” NYSBA Elder and Special Needs Law Journal” (2026 Vol. 36, No. 2)
- Co-author, “Appealing for Care: Navigating the Medicaid Appeals Process,” published in the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA) Journal, May 2026.
- Co-Author of “The Corporate Transparency Act Is Here: The Effects on Elder Law Practice” published in the Fall 2024 Elder Law and Special Needs Law Journal on September 30, 2024, in the News Center of the New York State Bar Association
Classes and Seminars
- “Estate & Financial Planning,” Metro New York HFMA 2026 Women in Leadership Power Breakfast – Presenter, (August 26, 2026)
- “Stay in Control: Avoiding Guardianship with Smart Planning” – Featured Speaker for Community Program hosted by Good Neighbors of Park Slope, May 6, 2026
- “Patient Advocacy: Legal Aspects of Maximizing Health Care” – Co-Presenter for program designed for social work professionals navigating complex patient advocacy challenges, March 3, 2026
- Featured Speaker, Advance Directives and How to Avoid Guardianship CLE, Hosted by Nassau County Bar Association’s joint meeting of the Senior Attorneys Committee and Elder Law, Social Services & Health Advocacy Committee, March 20, 2025
- “Community Medicaid & Advance Directives” – Continuing Education Course for Social Workers and Case Managers at Atria in Lynbrook Park, August 15, 2024
- “Planning for Home Care in New York State” – Continuing Education Course for Social Workers via Zoom sponsored by Community Care Home Health Services, June 25, 2024
- Moderator and Chair of “NY Trusts 101” – New York State Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Section, May 13, 2024
- “Community Medicaid 2024, Including Home Care, ALPs, and Pooled Income Trusts” – Continuing Education Course for Social Workers via Zoom sponsored by The Bristal and 305 West End Assisted Living, May 7, 2024
- “Integrating Your Estate Plan with a Long-Term Care Plan” for the Westchester County Senior Law Day Collaborative, October 25, 2023
- “Community Medicaid 2023” – Continuing Education Course for Social Workers at Mt. Sinai Hospital, October 10, 2023
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Nassau County Bar Association
- Elder Law, Social Services, & Health Advocacy Committee, Co-Vice Chair
- New York State Bar Association
- Elder Law and Special Needs Section
- Vice Co-Chair of the Sponsorship Committee
- Medicaid Committee, Member
- Trusts and Estates Section
- Vice Co-Chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee
- Estate & Trust Administration Committee, Member
- Elder Law and Special Needs Section
- American Bar Association, Member