New Yorkers who have a well-crafted estate plan are taking necessary steps to prepare for the future. While this is a relatively obvious need, many ignore it. Surprisingly, a significant portion of those who fail to create even a basic estate plan are people 55 and...
Not every New Yorker has an estate plan that details how he or she wants property distributed after death. Similarly, not every family situation is a smooth one where even an intestate case is relatively easy to deal with where the state will simply follow the law in...
A health care proxy and a living will are both legal documents that address the type of medical care you would or would not like to receive in the event you become unable to communicate those wishes to your doctors. Although these documents are often used by those who...
An art collection creates much joy for those that love art. It can also be a serious investment. So, when an art collector contemplates estate planning, what will happen to his or her collection is a serious consideration. For many it is already is a serious...
New Yorkers who are seeking to shield their assets as efficiently as possible yet still want to be generous with their loved ones should think beyond the simplest aspects of drafting estate planning documents. Understanding the available loopholes to perform certain...
Remarriages and blended families are not uncommon in New York. With that comes certain issues that, if left unattended, can cause family disputes with rancor and the potential legal ramifications. Those who have gotten remarried, and have children from the previous...
When New Yorkers create an estate plan, those who are married will inevitably include their spouse as a key part of it. This can be as the predominant heir and perhaps the executor of the estate. However, after drafting estate planning documents, some marriages will...
While divorce can be contentious on its own, when a beloved pet is at stake, things can turn downright nasty. While New York doesn't have as advanced pet custody laws as some states, they have been moving in the right direction. Here's what impacts who gets the family...
When a person creates an estate plan, there are laws that dictate how it will be handled after that person - the testator - has died. This is true regardless of the device that is used in the estate plan such as a will, a trust or anything else. The surviving spouse...
New Yorkers with concerns about loved ones and want to make certain they are taken care of when they are incapable of taking care of themselves should understand the alternatives they have under the law. One method is through a guardianship. This is especially...
