Partner Stacey (formerly known as Stacey L. Pilato) began working with founding partner, Joe, in 2005 as an Associate. Balancing the practice of law with raising two children, her accountant introduced her to Joe. She took a brief stint in 2007 to practice municipal law and then worked with a small estate planning firm, but found she was constantly on the phone consulting on complex matters with Joe and became devoted to the practice of estate planning and elder law. She returned in 2008 as Of Counsel to work with Joe, and became partner in the 2011 reorganization. Stacey studied political science, receiving her Bachelor of Arts at High Point University (formerly High Point College) in 1990. She studied the justice system and court administration at The American University, earning a Master of Science in Justice in 1995. In 1998, she attained her Juris Doctor in law from Seton Hall University, where she was an Associate Editor and published an article in the 1997-1998 Seton Hall Legislative Journal. Practicing for 22 years, she was admitted to the Bar of New Jersey on her son’s first birthday in December 1999. Her knowledge from prior practice areas including family law, landlord/tenant, real estate and commercial transactions, election law, contracts, torts, municipal government and public defense allows her to provide clients with insight on issues that may cross over into elder law, estate planning estate administration or litigation from other areas of law, such as real property, adoption, divorce/dissolution, or guardianship issues. Stacey is passionate about crafting an estate plan tailored for each individual in order to avoid the devastating family or financial crises that often arise from poor planning, or no planning. Stacey is a fearless advocate for her clients in estate, trust and guardianship disputes, Medicaid planning and applications. She is a frequent lecturer to caregivers and membership organizations on the significance of “no writing, no rights,” and how crucial it is for everyone age 18 and above, including her own young adult children, to have a complete and appropriate estate plan. Stacey has a son and a daughter, she enjoys cooking, and posting recipes to an Instagram account featuring their dog (@foodphotobombdawg).