A common topic for dispute of an estate plan in New York is whether the document is valid or not because of the way it was formulated. Not everyone has the time to take the necessary steps to have a conventionally valid will. However, those who do not can still create...
A last will and testament is an important part of any estate plan. A will is one of the few estate planning tools that is useful for almost everyone. That said, there are things that a will cannot accomplish. Depending on your goals in leaving a legacy, you may want...
In New York, guardianships can be critical to ensure that an elderly or incapacitated person is cared for. Some people have a durable power of attorney drafted so another person will be named as a guardian if the person is unable to care for themselves. Without a...
If given a choice, most people would prefer to see their assets go to their children and other loved ones rather than creditors. In an effort to dodge creditors, or even just the inconvenience of probate, some older people try to transfer property to children during...
New Yorkers who have created an estate plan should not sit back while time passes without making changes to that plan. While this might seem to be an arduous chore, it is a key part of having estate planning documents that address all issues. Fortunately, estate...
In New York, it seems more common for people to have pets than to not have pets. A concern for caring pet owners is what will happen to their pet after the owner dies. Many might not be aware that it is possible to take estate planning steps to address these issues....
New Yorkers will take many steps to prepare for the future by crafting estate planning documents. However, there are always factors they might miss that can be costly to their heirs. Knowing how to prevent common mistakes requires taking the preemptive steps to avoid...
As years go by in a marriage, it is not unusual to find married couples holding title to recreational property in another state. Perhaps it was a cabin in Vermont the family enjoyed while the kids were young. Or it might have been a condo for wintering in Tampa. But...
Conscientious New Yorkers who understand the importance of estate planning should know various mistakes that have been made in the past that can have a negative impact on even the most comprehensive estate plan. One document that is beneficial is a power of attorney....
Most people could benefit from financial planning long before it occurs to them to look into it. Estate planning is another area where people often wait too long to get started, to their detriment. Divorce, however, is something people generally don't plan for at all....
