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…
Why College Students Need Estate Planning
I have a client who several years ago got one of those phone calls no parent ever wants to get. Her daughter, Susie, was a freshman at a college in upstate New York after having graduated in the top 10%…
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…
Choosing the Right Executor for Your Estate: Key Considerations
Determining who you should select to serve as the Executor of your estate can often be a difficult decision. It is important to understand the duties and responsibilities of an Executor before you make your final decision. Here are some…
Navigating Medicaid Homestead Exemptions
A homestead is defined by Medicaid as the primary residence occupied by the applicant, the applicant's spouse, or the applicant's minor, disabled or blind child. A homestead is exempt for purposes of Medicaid eligibility under certain circumstances. The law limits…
What is a Pet Trust?
Most pet owners think of their pet as a member of the family.
You love your pet and want to make sure that he will be taken care of after you pass away. After reaching that decision, most people are still unsure of what arrangements need to be made.
What is a pet trust?
A pet trust is a legal agreement to provide for the care of one or more pets in the event that the pet owner dies or becomes unable to care for them. New York State gives statutory authority for the benefit of pets under Estates, Powers, and Trusts Law, Chapter 17-B.
Advance Directives: What You Need to Know
An individual’s estate plan should include legal documents that authorize a person of your choosing to make the necessary financial and health care decisions for you in the event you are unable to make your own decisions. Every adult individual…
College and Privacy: Planning Ahead with an Estate Plan
Whether we like to admit it or not, our children do not stay young forever. They grow up, move away for college and sometimes chose to pursue a career in a different state. Up until your child reaches age 18,…
As a Parent, Why Should I Have a Memorandum of Intent?
As we age, we are taught that it is important to have a will. Some of us even recognize the value of having a Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will, and Living Trusts. However, there could be…