When you go to the doctor, you expect to be asked invasive questions. When you go see an estate planning attorney, however, you may not be expecting the same level of personal inquiries. After all, an attorney is not taking…
Recently, a client called me in a bit of a panic. She had just received the drafts of her Will and was shocked to see that it was thirty pages long! She didn’t understand why and told me all she…
Why we recommend the Peace of Mind Program to all our clients: The Peace of Mind Program [POM] is an ongoing maintenance program that provides a cost-effective way to ensure your plan is up to date and meets your goals…
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…
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…
What is the IRA Charitable Rollover and how does it work? The Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”) Charitable Rollover is a “Qualified Charitable Distribution” which allows the IRA owner, who is 70 ½ or older, to make tax free gifts of…
As Elder Law attorneys we are keenly aware of the many serious issues that impact the senior citizen population. We take great pride in being advocates for our senior clients and strive to educate our clients and the general population…
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.
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.
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…
The mortgage interest deduction allows taxpayers who own their homes to reduce their taxable income by the amount of interest paid on a loan that is secured by their principal residence or secondary residence. Starting in 2018 the Mortgage Interest…