Why Estate Planning is Essential: Avoid Costly Mistakes
“My mother has too much money, so I guess she has to pay privately for her home care”, Mary told me recently. As an Elder Law Attorney for over 17 years, I can tell you that I hear this almost…
Real Estate Ownership and Transfer
So you own your home and you think that it will be transferred to your family upon your passing without going to court. But is that really the case? What does all of this mean? A house that is owned…
Do You Own Property In Two States?
It’s that time of year where we are celebrating with our loved ones and we are starting to make plans for what we want to do better or different in the coming year. Reassessing your estate plan should be at…
Can I Revoke My Irrevocable Trust?
When it comes to protecting your assets from the costs of a long-term illness, such as a nursing home, the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is a staple planning technique. It is an effective way to protect your home (and other…
What is a “Grantor Trust”?
In the simplest terms, a Grantor Trust is a trust that authorizes a grantor (the person who set up the trust) to retain certain powers with respect to the property transferred to the trust and the trust administration. These powers…
Four Steps to Help Avoid Intra-Family Conflict After Passing
Relationships are complicated. Familial relationships can be more so complicated than any other relationship. Conflicts can arise between spouses, siblings, generations, and in-laws. Intra-family conflicts can occur where a family member is favored over others or is perceived to be…
Why Would a Court Say My Chosen Executor Cannot Serve?
In making the decision to meet with an estate planning attorney to create a Last Will and Testament, you will need to decide who to nominate as your Executor. Among other responsibilities, your Executor is the person that will be…
Who has the ability to contest my Last Will and Testament?
In New York State, in order to contest a person’s Last Will and Testament, the challenger must have the right to do so. This right is known as “standing”. A challenger has standing under the following circumstances: When he or…
How to Avoid Probate and Protect Your Assets
Often times when clients make an appointment with our law firm, they have a very specific estate planning concern or issue. They may have a particular focus in mind, such as updating a will or avoiding probate. With a plethora of details…
Avoid Probate with These Simple Strategies
When a person dies, his or her estate may need to go through probate. If the decedent leaves a will directing how his or her property should be distributed after death, the will must be submitted to the probate court so…