Timing is of critical importance with estate planning matters. Obviously, a plan must be in place early enough to be of use before one falls ill or suffers from mental issues. For example, creating a will or trust may be impossible after one suffers a stroke or succumbs to serious…
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New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
Be Careful with Estate Planning Shortcuts – Joint Tenancy
Money is always tight. No matter where you fall on the income and asset ladder, no one wants to spend money unnecessarily, including on services that are not sure they need. However, sometimes that reluctance can lead to mistakes which actually cost money down the road. Estate planning–or the lack…
End of Year Estate and Gift Tax Dilemma
Only a few days remain in the year, and most financial activity for 2012 has come to a close. However, the end of year action has already brought one of the most active seasons ever. Financial advisors, estate planning attorneys, and others have all seen community members of all different…
Elder Financial Exploitation: Prevention & Reporting Abuse
Earlier this week we shared information on the new guide from ElderCare Locator. The brochure (available here) provides helpful tips for all New York families to ensure theft from seniors is stopped. As noted, the problem is widespread, affecting as many as one in ten elderly community members. Unfortunately, there…
Fiscal Cliff Negotiations Move on to Estate Taxes
The political wrangling to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff” continued this week. Many different issues are all tied up in the negotiations, including income tax rates, defense spending, entitlement spending, and control of the debt limit. However, various reports suggest that the both sides in the political battle–primarily the Obama…
New Guide to Senior Financial Exploitation
ElderCare Locator recently released a helpful new brochure that offers basic (but important) reminders about the need to be vigilant to prevent senior financial exploitation. The guide provides information about the scope of the problem, information on what to do if you suspect financial abuse, and prevention tips. You can…
Donor-Advised Funds for Charitable Giving
The holiday season is a popular time for charitable giving. It is helpful for those considering gifts–particular sizeable donations–to properly think through all of the tax and legal implications. There are smart ways to make contributions and clumsy ways. As always, an estate planning lawyer or similar professional can explain…
Consumer Voice Updates on Filial Responsibility Laws
Few seniors have the resources to pay for long-term skilled nursing home stays. As we have previously discussed, New York maintains one of the highest average cost per day rates at these facilities. For most families, those costs are far more than they are able to pay from their own…
Legislators Issue Call to Protect Medicare & Medicaid From Fiscal Cliff Talks
Talks between President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner to avert the “fiscal cliff” continue this weeks. While not the only leaders involved in the effort, most disagreement on the issues exist between the President and House Republicans. Some observers are confident that the parties will reach an…
Face Retirement: Psychology to Spur Long-Term Financial Planning
Virtually everyone agrees that it is important to invest for retirement, take care of inheritance details, prepare for long-term care, and otherwise plan for the future. But there is a big difference between understanding the value of these tasks and actually taking the time to do it. Considering the financial…