Becoming a parent is joyful and also terrifying. New parents often struggle with the weight of responsibility for being the primary provider for another living being. For the first few years, that new life is entirely dependent on outside support. Even after children...
Estate Planning
Medical POA: Qualities to search out
A medical power of attorney gives you more security as you grow older. You can rest assured that someone you love is going to make your medical choices for you. The power of attorney is a legal document that gives them this ability. This is similar to using an advance...
What if you’re having a hard time picking your executor?
You know the executor of your estate has an important job (or several of them) after you’re gone. You also know that it’s important to pick someone who is competent, trustworthy, organized and willing to do the job. Fortunately, you have no shortage of people in your...
A spendthrift trust protects assets from creditors, beneficiaries
You want a thorough and sound estate plan. However, something bothers you, and that is your children’s relationship with money and their questionable decisions centered on money. You may describe such behavior has irresponsible and reprehensible, but you must keep...
What every late-in-life parent should know about estate planning
The timeline for becoming a parent is not the same for everyone. At the age of 48, you became a father. As a late-in-life parent, you will face the same challenges and tasks as any new parent. That means waking to feed the baby at all hours of the night and making...
Why do people draft two different powers of attorney?
Simpler isn't always better, especially when it comes to estate planning. People need to really consider their current risks and future needs when deciding what documents to include in their estate plans and how they structure those documents. Often, the inclusion of...
Does New York allow for the use of electronic or digital wills?
Traditionally, someone's last will is a handwritten document or at least a physical paper that they sign or make a mark on in the presence of witnesses. Adhering to state law during the creation of a will is crucial for those who want to have control over their legacy...
Is it legal for you to disinherit immediate family members?
While you may have very strong feelings about what others will do with your property when you die, your family members may already have their own expectations. It is surprisingly common for immediate family members to have a profound sense of entitlement when it comes...
2 major considerations for creating a viable succession plan
A succession plan has a major influence on what happens at a business when an owner or executive leaves. Some people only start preparing the succession plan when they decided it's time to retire or they receive a job offer at another company. The problem with a...
Can you remove a guardian who doesn’t do their job properly?
When someone is subject to a guardianship in New York, the person in the role of guardian has usually presented a strong case in court showing that the adult requires the support of a guardian. Financial blunders and medical records are common evidence in guardianship...