Schedule an in-office, Zoom or phone consultation Here.
Estate planning can have ramifications decades (or even centuries!) after an individual passes away. On one hand, this is true because how one leaves assets and guidance to others can influence their long-term personal legacy. More specifically, however, planning can dictate legal matters far into the future. Whoever is in…
Life is about far more than the accumulation of material wealth. Working hard and collecting valuables to enjoy and pass on to others at death is nothing to spurn. But there are many other things that are accumulated over a life and can be passed on at death: morals, lessons,…
As the first wave of healthcare insurance enrollment ends as part of the Affordable Care Act, observers are quick to comment on the changes enacted by the law. In addition to millions who took advantage of insurance sold in private marketplace exchanges, there has also been a significant increase in…
We often discuss the importance for local families to account for the New York estate tax. Far more media coverage is given to the federal tax, and some local residents are under the mistaken assumption that the state law mirrors the federal. It currently does not. Even families who do…
In the spirit of raising awareness of sound money management, April is officially deemed “National Financial Literacy Month.” The U.S. Senate even passed a resolution on the matter a few years ago. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling usually leads the yearly effort, and many others in the financial world…
“Granny Snatching” is probably not a term you are familiar with hearing. But, believe it or not, over the years elder law advocates have popularized the concept to explain a problem affecting fights over guardianship of seniors. Specifically, granny snatching refers to a problem where a elder guardian (usually close…
Rather extraordinary claims were recently made by researchers in a Nature Medicine article that may forever change the long-term care planning landscape. Scientists from Georgetown University are claiming to have developed a blood test that can determine whether an individual will develop dementia symptoms within two or three years. Their…
Much of estate planning involves preparations that can streamline matters in the aftermath of a death. The probate process can be long and drawn-out, forcing families to wait months before working out the basic details of asset transfer. Alternatively, by using trusts, the process can be far more seamless, saving…
Elder care advocates are understandably up in arms following reports about questionable evictions from a Brooklyn facility catering to seniors. The sad situation is a reminder of the continuing struggles faced by so many local families in their quest for quality, reliable long-term care and support. It is also a…
The idea of “portability” is an important part of many estate plans. Portability is technically an informal word referring to a federal tax-saving option using the deceased spouse’s unused exemption (DSUE). Essentially, portability is a tool for married couples that, when used prudently, can shave millions of dollars off an…