Steven A. Schurkman

Business Transactions
Elder Law and Special Needs Planning
Real Estate
Trusts & Estates

Steven Schurkman has over 40 years experience in the practice of law, focusing in the areas of estate planning, probate, elder law, real estate and commercial transactions. Since joining Keane & Beane, Mr. Schurkman has greatly expanded the trusts and estates department and developed its elder law practice. He advises individuals and families concerning estate tax, asset preservation and business succession planning. He counsels individuals with disabilities and assists families with the establishment of supplemental needs trusts and guardianships. He also advises clients concerning the use of long term care insurance and reverse mortgages as well as on issues relating to hospital discharge, medical coverage, admission to skilled nursing facilities and Medicare and Medicaid home care services.

Mr. Schurkman joined Keane & Beane in 1985.

• Metro Super Lawyers designation as top attorney in New York in the areas of Estate Planning and Probate (2011 – 2021)
• Elder Justice Distinguished Achievement Award from the Pace Women’s Justice Center (2013)
• Above the Bar Award for Most Socially Conscious Attorney awarded by Westchester County Business Journal, Pace University School of Law and Westchester County Bar Association (2009)
• Humanitarian Award from the Westchester Public Private Partnership for Aging Services (2009)
• Founders’ Award from the Arthritis Foundation (2001)
• Hatan Maftir Award for Community Service from Temple Israel Center, White Plains, NY (1996)
• Planned Giving Award from the Arthritis Foundation (1995)
• Has received a peer review rating of “AV^® Preeminent^TM” on Martindale-Hubbell^® 

• State and Federal Courts of New York
• State Courts of Florida 

• Estate Planning Council of Westchester (Past President (2011-2012), Member of Board of Directors and Executive Committee (2008-2013)
• Westchester County Bar Association (Past Co-Chair of Elder Law Section) 
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• New York State Bar Association (Member, Trust and Estates, Elder Law, and Real Estate Sections)

Mr. Schurkman is a frequent lecturer in the areas of estate planning and elder law. He has conducted hundreds of conferences sponsored by non-profit organizations, including the New York and Westchester County Bar Associations, the Arthritis Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, the New York University Faculty Staff Assistance Program, the Pace University School of Law (e.g. “Tax and Medicaid Ramifications of Transfers of the Family Home-Primary Changes under the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005”) and the New York State Bar Association (e.g. 2004 Chair of “Medicaid Planning With a Focus on Spousal Issues and Case Studies” presented at five different sites throughout the state). He has also conducted in-house training on legal issues affecting the elderly for health care and related professionals in hospitals and other medical and corporate sites throughout the metropolitan area.

He is the author of “Elder Law Q & A: Answers to Questions About Estate and Financial Planning, Health Care Planning and Elder Abuse,” written under a grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services; in its 22nd edition, it is widely disseminated throughout New York State through the continued support of the Westchester Public Private Partnership for Aging Services, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Pace Women’s Justice Center in collaboration with the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at The Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, NY.

Mr. Schurkman is also active in the media, having been cited by The New York Times columnist Jane Gross in her book A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents and Ourselves. He has also appeared on Government Access Cable TV, Channel 35 and hosted “Sidebar”, the legal segment of a radio talk show for senior citizens known as “Generations,” broadcast on WLNA (1420 AM).

Mr. Schurkman is a member and formerly served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services, Inc., a not-for-profit coalition between Westchester County and its resident corporations to provide services for seniors to remain independent, active members of their communities.  He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Pace Women’s Justice Center.  He previously served on the Board of Directors of United Hebrew, a comprehensive care community which owns a 7 1/2 acre senior living campus in New Rochelle, NY.  He also previously served on the Board of Trustees of Temple Israel Center, White Plains, NY and was a member of and pro bono counsel to its Cemetery Committee.  Mr. Schurkman is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association as well as a former chair of its Board Development and Investment Committees.  He also is a former Member of the Board of Directors of the Arthritis Foundation, where he chaired its Planned Giving Committee.  

• 1980, J.D., State University of New York at Buffalo
• 1977, B.A., cum laude, Boston University