With estate planning, if you don't let your beneficiaries know of all the accounts, both electronic and traditional, your assets may be extremely difficult for them to access when you pass away. In the past, a paper trail was often left so that there were clues as to...
Month: March 2014
Alzheimer’s test could impact long term care insurance
Alzheimer's Disease is something that has impacted millions of people from one side of the world to the next. This is true among many of our New York readers, as well as those in other parts of the world. Researchers at Georgetown University, as well as a number of...
Buffalo Bills’ future hinges upon Wilson’s estate planning, taxes
When any Monroe County resident with significant assets passes away, the future of their estate is never completely foolproof, even with careful planning. One of the reasons for this uncertainty is that tax laws change from year to year, and many people do not...
Can texting a will be legally permissible?
Many people in New York use their smartphones to do a variety of tasks. The majority of people probably use their phones to communicate or send photos. However, many also shop, get directions and even make restaurant reservations. Every day new apps and uses for...
Heirs in legal dispute over New York photographer’s estate
Famous New York photographer Bert Stern was best known for photographing Marilyn Monroe just six weeks before her death. However, more than 50 years later, he died, leaving his children and his young widow squabbling over his $10 million estate. A 2010 will gave...
Estate planning in New York is for young adults, too
Children who are faced with medical decisions have their parents to act as decision makers in the process. When a person turns 18 years old, however, the parent's right to make medical decisions for the child isn't necessarily a given right. In New York, anyone over...
Long term care planning a must for many reasons
Long term care planning is something that many people begin to look into early in life. However, some continue to put this off, hoping that they are not negatively impacted as a result. Our New York readers, as well as every other person in the United States who is...
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s will left many loose ends
The entertainment world was heartbroken by the recent tragic death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of Rochester's own. He was 46 years old, and he left behind his longtime partner and their three children. While he left behind an indelible legacy in Hollywood,...
Will alone often not enough to avoid probate
In many life situations, people take action or fail to act based upon misinformation or false assumptions. This is particularly the case when it comes to more complex financial and estate planning matters. However, individuals and their family members who either fail...
Concerns related to will changes can be addressed before or after death
Via numerous estate planning documents, individuals are able to dictate to whom assets and belongings will pass upon their death. A last will and testament is the foundation of any estate plan and provides the opportunity for an individual to express their wishes and...