While the coronavirus pandemic has left many people uncertain about what the future holds, now might be an excellent time to take advantage of a historically low tax environment. Although it is unclear how long rates created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 will remain low, remember…
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New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
3 Ways to Transfer Property to a Special Needs Trust
Special needs trusts perform the valuable role of keeping a person eligible for government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) while also paying for services in addition to what the government can offer. If you make the decision to establish a special needs trust for a loved one,…
Deciding if Now Is the Best Time for Family Gifting
Due to not just the approaching US election but also continued economic uncertainty and a country that is dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, family gifting is likely not at the top of your list of goals. Despite its uncertainty, the current situation creates an opportunity for individuals…
What’s the Difference Between Power of Attorney and a Guardianship?
The field of estate planning involves various types of documents. While some of these documents have long-recognized roles, people have less exposure to others and are more uncertain about the role they can play in estate plans. One commonly asked question is what the difference is between power of attorney…
Making the Most of Estate Planning Opportunities
While it would be nice if it were, estate planning is not a once and done process. Instead, it is important to routinely review the terms of your estate plan to make sure that it is capable of achieving your goals. Reviewing estate planning documents is particularly important nowadays, during…
Utilizing Estate Plan to Establish Your Legacy
Estate planning is vital if you want to leave a lasting legacy to your loved ones. Despite its importance, a survey by Caring.com, however, revealed that the number of adults in the United States than ever before are engaging in estate planning. The study found a 25% decrease in the…
Safe Ways to Spend Assets So You Still Qualify for Medicaid
It’s an unfortunate reality that many people who apply for Medicaid end up discovering that they have too many assets to qualify for the program. Instead of being available to everyone, Medicaid is classified as a “needs-based” program and a successful applicant must be determined to have insufficient assets before…
Protecting Assets With Caregiver Agreements
Family members as caregivers overwhelmingly provide for elderly and disabled loved ones at home. Although a labor of love, taking care of ailing loved ones also has a market value, meaning that caretakers may be paid as a way to protect assets. Through the use of a Caregiver Agreement, also…
Business Succession Planning
While ninety percent of American businesses are family owned, only about thirty percent of them continue to the next generation. Half of those again make it to the third generation. The most common reason: lack of a business succession plan. There are many reasons owners fail to plan. In addition…
The Four Basic Protections of Elder Law Estate Planning
Elder Law Estate Planning is an area of law that helps us maintain control of our lives and assets in four basic areas. First, Elder Law is planning for disability which includes naming people who will make decisions for us if we become incapacitated. You choose the people who will…