The Manna Helmy Law Group is more than just a law firm; it is a dedicated team helping people navigate the challenging but necessary steps that come at the end of a life. Founded by Michael A. Manna in the 1970s, the elder law and estate planning firm quickly found its focus and has been assisting families ever since.
The group of five attorneys and four paralegals based in Ridgewood has expanded its offerings to include new services through the specialized expertise of its team. This includes teaching continuing education classes to social workers on topics such as guardianships and senior scams, as well as handling the complex cases those social workers refer to them.
“Over the years, we’ve developed a reputation for managing these difficult cases,” said Marize Helmy, Esq., partner at The Manna Helmy Law Group. “The cases we handle now are often more complex. We’ve truly established ourselves as an elder law and estate planning firm that addresses every issue within that umbrella, including filing Medicaid applications, initiating guardianships when needed, assisting with estate administration after a loved one passes, and representing individuals in estate litigation when disputes arise.”
This reputation has allowed The Manna Helmy Law Group to assist clients in preparing for the difficult realities of long-term care and the death of a loved one. The firm takes a holistic approach to their clients' needs, factoring in their personal goals. The firm often assists clients in navigating options for long-term care facilities, coordinating care managers, or even serving as executors and trustees if needed.
Despite the challenges, the group finds the work to be rewarding. It involves both the hard facts of law and the human factors that come with these sensitive situations.
“My number one goal is to connect with my clients as a person first, before as a lawyer,” Helmy said. “That’s made the relationships I’ve developed with clients really rewarding. While professionalism is important, it’s also crucial to be human in this line of work. For many of our clients, this is a real-life crisis.”
That sense of care transforms what can be a difficult day into a meaningful one, as the attorneys at The Manna Helmy Law Group are often entrusted with the vulnerabilities of families facing situations that can seem overwhelming. The firm ensures that they never take this responsibility lightly, demonstrating both skill and empathy.
The group relies on these tools not only to connect with clients but to manage the practical and emotional challenges of elder law. Whether dealing with sudden death, navigating family dynamics, or debunking misinformation found online, the firm remains grounded in patience and empathy to achieve the best outcomes for their clients.
In spite of these obstacles, the firm has experienced just as many moments of joy. These rewards can come as simply finishing a will that leaves a client feeling at peace with the inevitable future or receiving an approval of a government program giving families relief from the cost of long-term care. “Then they can focus on improving their quality of life, rather than watching everything they’ve worked for disappear more quickly than they ever imagined,” Helmy said, reflecting on the relief clients feel in those moments.
By supporting the community during these times, The Manna Helmy Law Group ensures that families can find peace at any stage of life, proving that help is always available in Bergen County when it's needed most.
For more information on The Manna Helmy Law Group, visit mamannalaw.com.