When New York residents hear the words "probate litigation," they tend to cringe. Even if they have never been through the probate process relating to a deceased relative's estate, they probably have the idea that it is something you want to avoid. However, there are...
Month: April 2015
Celebrity’s mistakes reveal importance of estate planning
Engaging in estate planning often requires careful consideration of many future contingencies. That is an important lesson highlighted by the recent deaths of Robin Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Robin Williams's case in particular demonstrates the need to...
An old law and the Affordable Care Act clash
Eleven million people used the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to obtain needed health coverage. However, it now appears that there was an unexpected side-effect for some people, due to an old law that is still on the books. This law is known as the estate recovery law. If...
Experience counts when writing an estate plan
Estate planning in New York usually has a will involved. A trust may also figure into the planning of an estate. Your will can be long and detailed or simple and to the point. Depending on your needs, you may want to begin your estate planning with a capable attorney...
Avoiding common problems with the administration of your estate
Every family has members who often don't get along -- whether it's a sibling rivalry between your grandchildren or simply an aunt or uncle who seems perpetually at odds with the rest of the family. When it comes to your estate planning, it's important to remember that...
Estate planning 101: Do both spouses need an estate plan?
Although most things are done together in marriage, there is no such thing as a "joint" estate plan. Spouses will have to have their own separate wills, powers of attorney, advanced medical directives and other documents. In some cases, couples might share a joint...
Costs continue to grow in the field of long-term nursing care
On April 9, a financial group issued a report which indicates that the average costs for nursing home care is going up. According to Genworth Financial's annual "Cost of Care" report, Americans will now spend $91, 250 per year on average for a private room in a...
How are retirement accounts passed to your heirs?
A retirement account is something that you really need to understand when considering your will and your heirs, as it may be a large portion of your overall wealth. There are a few different ways in which it can be passed on, and your will typically does not decide...
How can I protect my assets with an estate plan?
When you begin to accumulate wealth, you begin to realize that there are people and creditors who want a piece of your assets. There are tools you can use to protect yourself and your business that can go a long way to ensuring that tax collectors, accident victims...
A good will begins with a relationship with your attorney
Proper estate planning can be as important to ordinary people as it is for wealthy individuals like celebrities. That's despite the fact that the vast majority of us don't consider ourselves as having acquired a lot of wealth. Perhaps you own a home and a few...