“If you are caregiving from a distance (you live here and your parent or other loved one is in another state, a distant city or as close as an hour away), it can be even more daunting than doing it in your home.” Trying to coordinate care from a distance becomes a challenge for many, […]

How to Avoid Probate in NY: Understanding Its Importance “Probate is a process to transfer the assets after someone dies. For example, when a homeowner passes, probate allows for the home to be sold or transferred, if necessary, even though the owner is no longer alive to sign a deed.” Estate planning attorneys are often […]

“Second (or third or fourth) marriages often require careful balancing between the needs of the surviving spouse and the needs of the children from a previous marriage.” It takes a certain kind of courage to embark on second, third or even fourth marriages, even when there are no children from prior marriages. Regardless of how […]

During this crazy 2020 tax year, in addition to being faced with all the issues surrounding COVID-19 and the roller coaster ride of the stock market, we are also currently in an environment where the interest rates are as low as they ever have been. As a result of the low interest rate environment, some […]

“Most states recognize inheritances as separate property, and many experts say keeping them separate is often the best approach.” Is an inheritance a blessing, or a curse? That’s the question from the recent article “When One Spouse Gets an Inheritance It Can Be Hard on a Marriage” posed by The Wall Street Journal. The emotional […]

“Most people wish to have more control over who and how their assets are managed than what the state laws provide, and so they draft documents that can override the Laws of Intestacy, when those laws do not match their objectives.” Transferring the management of assets if and when you are unable to manage them […]

“It’s difficult to go a few hours without interacting with a digital account. Whether that is email, online banking or social media, many daily tasks involve digital informational storage.” One of the challenges facing estate plans today is a new class of assets, known as digital property or digital assets. When a person dies, what […]

“As a result of illness, old age or incapacity, what may happen when you can no longer handle your own decision-making, handle your own money or make your own health care choices? Who can step in to help and how are they empowered?” For the most part, we are free to make our own decisions […]

“Federal estate, gift and GST tax exemptions are currently at historic highs ($11.58 million per individual in 2020). These higher exemptions are scheduled to return to $5 million, adjusted for inflation, after December 31, 2025, but they could be reduced before then, as a result of political or policy changes.” The time period available to […]

One of the first questions many clients ask is whether they need a trust. It’s a great question, but it leads to another: What do you want your plan to accomplish? Let’s begin with a brief discussion of what trusts are and how they work. Then we’ll explore their benefits, which should give you a […]