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…
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New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
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…
The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Yesterday marked the official federal holiday chosen to honor civil rights hero Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It also happened to be Inauguration Day for President Barack Obama. In a unique twist, the President chose to be sworn in on the Bible that was read by Dr. King on the…
Don’t Underestimate Medical Costs in Retirement
The fiscal cliff crisis dominated the last month of 2012. Even though an agreement was reached on New Years Day, the compromise is far from the end of partisan political battles and confusion. Observers are already making predictions about the possible implications of the looming “debt ceiling” fight between the…
Lottery Winnings, Murder, & Estate Planning
The Daily Jeffersonian published a story recently on the bizarre details of a case involving a lottery winner’s apparent murder and the subsequent estate battle. Like the plot of a Hollywood crime drama, the tale includes a mysterious death, a series of hidden family feuds, and considerable money on the…
How Does New York Senior Care Compare?
Long-term elder care is one of those tasks that most only think seriously about until it is needed–either for yourself or a loved one. However, as a growing chorus of advocates are sharing, if you wait that long it is probably too late to ensure that the available care is…