If you have been involved in an estate that went into probate you know how long and extensive of a problem this can be. Leaving your entire estate without a plan or a will can ensure there will be infighting and enmity among your heirs. Even people whom you never...
Month: November 2015
A few things not to add to your will
You want your will to be as complete as possible so that there is no confusion after you pass away. However, that doesn't mean you can put absolutely everything in it, and it's important for people in New York to know what they should leave out. For example, it's...
What should I ask my estate planning attorney?
Estate planning is not only for the wealthy. In fact, every adult New York resident should consider drawing up an estate plan, and speaking with a qualified estate planning lawyer is a great way to start with that process. When speaking with your attorney, be sure to...
Manage your online social life post-death with an executor
Not many New Yorkers think about what will happen to their online social accounts if they should die. Some people do not think it is a big issue, but consider this: all of your personal messages, social account activity and personal photos are lingering on the...
Can you just cut everyone out of your will?
Perhaps you're drafting a will in New York and you honestly don't want to leave your wealth to anyone—not your spouse, not your children and not any other family members. Maybe you've had a falling out or you just don't think they deserve it. No matter the...
Estate planning is necessary and needs to be done now
Life happens. We can get so caught up in our jobs and our kids that we forget to put an estate plan in place. It is easy to push this to the side and not think about it. But you are really doing a disservice to your family. If you don't have a plan, how are they...
4 huge estate planning mistakes you can avoid
With the right preparation, most estate planning mistakes can easily be avoided. You just need to know what to watch out for in advance. Below are four of the most common mistakes in New York. 1. Doing nothing. You may be surprised to know how many people don't have...
Robin Williams’ widow talks about why she went to probate court
In a People magazine interview, Robin Williams' widow, Susan Williams, revealed her reasoning for going to probate court over her husband's estate. She said she opened up about the issue in order to resolve inaccurate rumors about the probate proceedings. According to...
The attorney’s role in creating wills and estate plans
Do you need an attorney to prepare your will in New York? The answer depends on your ultimate goals. The digital environment offers a plethora of do-it-yourself websites and computer software programs that can indeed take the lawyer out of the equation. However, in...
Is long-term care headed for a crisis?
If you're not thinking about long-term care yet, you probably should be. According to some experts, there is a potential crisis looming in regards to the care that the elderly get in New York and the United States as a whole. Part of the problem is just the huge cost...