Some may believe writing a “last will and testament” can wait until tomorrow. But tomorrow is not guaranteed. If you don't write or help create “a will” and pass on, New York State will take over and divide the assets. The state has defined standards for dividing an...
You may feel uncomfortable bringing up your estate plan with family, and some family members may even try to change the topic when you do so. However, many benefits can come from talking with your loved ones about your estate plan.Communicating at least the basics...
For many New Yorkers, the creation of an estate plan is viewed as final with no changes necessary. Some might have taken a significant amount of time before finally crafting an estate plan to prepare for the future, but when they did they were fully prepared to leave...
In New York, there are many questions that heirs will have after the death of a loved one. Estate and probate can be complicated and confusing and it is even more difficult if there was no will. A person who died intestate might have done so because they did not...
A well-drafted estate plan should represent your wishes at the time you and your lawyer executed it. However, life can throw a lot of changes at you, and you may find that after a few years your plan no longer reflects your wishes. With wills and other estate planning...
Estate administrators are tasked with substantial, time-consuming and potentially contested responsibilities following the death of a loved one. While you may feel honored to take on the responsibility at the request of a family member or friend, the legal process to...
New York State can be a hotbed for the art scene with many people collecting valuable items. Collectibles are not limited to artwork, however. Anything can rise in value based on its popularity and historic significance. That includes sports collectibles, coins,...
For New Yorkers who are well-known and wealthy, it is important to keep track of how estate plans can spark a legal dispute among heirs if the document is not crafted properly. Prominent entertainers bring joy to their fans and earn large sums of money for their...
The main goal for many people when crafting an estate plan in New York is to cover all the bases and ensure the assets and properties go where the testator wants. This can mean many things and the strategies to achieve the desired ends are critical to the process....
As people age, they become concerned with end-of-life decisions. Sometimes they become concerned with the possibility that they might not be able to communicate decisions related to medical care, treatment or life support. While a living will is the usual method to...
