Feuding after a death has been common for centuries. However, observers point out that in recent years estate battles have actually grown and more frequent. The trend is noted for all families, both those with sizeable wealth and those of much smaller estates. It is a crucial reminder for residents…
Schedule an in-office, Zoom or phone consultation Here.
New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
Does New York Need a Mandatory Elder Abuse Reporting Law?
It is commonly understood that elder abuse is a serious concern that often goes unreported. But there remains less certainty about the best ways to address the problem. A recent Buffalo News editorial argued that more needs to be done at the state and federal level to tackle the issues.…
Challenging the New York Nursing Home Surcharge Tax for Private Payers
Many seniors and their families only learn about the significant cost of nursing home care when they begin planning for it later in life. New York is one of the most expensive in the country, with annually costs reaching $100,000 or more to live in a skilled nursing facility. NY…
E-Planning: Estate Planning in our Digital World
Like it or not, our world is infatuated with technology. Smartphones conduct intercontinental transactions. Friends across the country communicate through instantaneous text messaging, and telephones and tablets close distances and miles through face to face conversations. Because technology plays such an important role in our daily lives, today’s estate planning…
Estate Planning with the Blended Family in Mind
The birth of a child, a soldier’s welcome home, a wedding, a graduation, holiday festivities, or even a birthday party are all examples of gatherings where, more often than not, a blended family is present, taking part and celebrating. In the U.S., first marriages, second marriages and remarriages regularly welcome…
Passing on Digital Passwords After Death
Over the past few years more and more attention has been paid to the value of “digital” assets and the need to account for them in estate planning. Yet, for all the increased awareness, there is still a long way to go before all families properly plan for handing online…
Trusting Kids with Large Inheritances Remains a Challenge
One of the most common concerns that parents have when creating an estate plan in New York is worrying about passing on too much wealth to children who cannot properly handle it. After a lifetime of hard work, ingenuity, and prudent planning, the last thing many families want is to…
Is the IRS Going to Crack Down on Non-Cash Charitable Deductions?
Our estate planning attorneys often help New Yorkers create trusts that are used to pass on assets to charities. When structured properly, gifts to favorited causes is both a great way to give back and a smart financial move to save on taxes and ensure that your long-term inheritance wishes…
Equipment Fix Delays Plague New York Medicaid Participants
Many New York seniors who need long-term care are enrolled in the state’s Medicaid program. In many cases the payments are made for care in skilled nursing facilities–traditional nursing homes. However, Medicaid also helps with various other types of care, including some at-home services and medical equipment. In general, the…
What Does Elder Law Even Mean?
The legal professionals at our firm provide elder law and estate planning services. Many community members are familiar with the basics of estate planning. Tasks like designing wills, creating trusts, and putting inheritance plans into place are understood by most when thinking about “later in life” legal issues. However, elder…