About John A.
John A. McDermott began his legal path at Long Island University, earning a B.A. in 1983. He went on to Brooklyn Law School and received his J.D. in 1986. Those academic milestones set the stage for a practice that has touched both New York and Michigan, the two jurisdictions where he is licensed to practice.
Early in his career McDermott concentrated on the issues that affect aging Americans and their families. He developed a practice addressing elder law, estate planning and probate matters. Over time he expanded the work to include counseling on long-term care planning and the administration of trusts and estates.
McDermott’s professional memberships reflect his work and the communities he serves. He is a member of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He also belongs to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section. At the local level he participates in the Washtenaw County Bar Association and its Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Section.
Those affiliations keep him connected to developments in Medicaid law, guardianship proceedings, and probate procedure. Colleagues and clients turn to him for practical counsel on managing incapacity planning and the transition of assets at life’s end. He routinely prepares wills and trusts, advises on durable powers of attorney and health care directives, and assists families through court-administered probate where needed.
McDermott’s days are a mix of document drafting, client meetings and court appearances when matters require. He spends time explaining options to families who are often facing difficult decisions about care and finances. The work involves attention to both legal detail and the human side of planning for the future.
He maintains an office under his own name, where he serves clients in matters tied to elder law and estate planning. He continues to practice in both New York and Michigan, handling elder law, estate planning and related probate matters.
