Forbes loves to tell us who the happiest workers are, or what the healthiest careers are. But no one seems to talk about post-job satisfaction. While these types of articles are generally highly subjective, we can certainly look at professions that tend to produce happier retirees. Whether these can actually…
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New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
3 Reasons Why Your Attorney Absolutely Loves Legal Zoom
In this tight economy, people are always looking for value. Budget options are popping up in every industry, from substandard tires to refurbished televisions. Some even view legal services this way. Let’s face it; folks do not want to pay top dollar for a product they will never use. This…
Grisham’s Recent Sycamore Row Highlights Complications When Leaving Estate to a Caregiver
John Grisham, internationally recognized author known for writing captivating legal suspense and drama, released a slightly different type of book in 2013. While most of Grisham’s stories center on violent crimes and courtroom battles, Sycamore Row makes a stark departure into the world of probate law. Sycamore Row begins with…
Aging Gay: LGBT Estate Planning Post-DOMA
Attorneys strongly advise gay and lesbian clients to prepare their estate plans, because the law generally would not offer many of the same protections as it does heterosexual couples. But following the recent Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), misinformation abounds,…
Probate is Not a Dirty Word
It seems estate-planning attorneys are often asked to help clients avoid probate. In fact, this is typically one of the first questions people ask in a consultation. There are likely many reasons why people are so focused on probate avoidance, not the least of which is probably a wide misunderstanding…
Greenhouses: A Growing Trend in Long-term Care
When it comes to deciding how to spend one’s later years, institutional care is nobody’s first choice. However, there are times when family and professional home healthcare are just not enough. Beginning in 2003, a new concept has been sweeping across the country – The Greenhouse Project. These alternative living…
Estate Planning for Multi-Generational Households
An estimated 50 million American households now include a child being raised by a grandparent. Even more households include multi-generational families, where 3 and 4 generations live together. Even the Whitehouse included such an arrangement, as President Obama’s own grandmother resided with his family until her death just before the…
Is a Pet Trust Right for You?
Americans love our furry friends. In fact, the richest dog in the world died in 2011. For those who don’t already know the story, Leona Helmsley was a wealthy hotel mogul who disinherited all her family and $12 million in trust for her dog, Trouble. She was known for her…
Splitting Responsibilities Under Powers of Attorney: Typically Not Wise
When it comes to powers of attorney, there are two basic types: property and healthcare. The person selected to make decisions is called the agent, and the person granting the authority is called the principle. Property powers of attorney are designed to allow the agent authority to sign documents, open…
Divorce vs. Disinherit: Beware the Elective Share
Once upon a time, there were these somewhat sexist laws called “dower and curtesy.” These laws applied to the specific amount of a decedent’s estate to which his or her surviving spouse would be entitled. They were usually very different; men received more than women. Over the years, these laws…