Blended families face a number of challenges in building and maintaining harmony. Step-parent, step-child relationships are fraught with the potential for conflict. When one of the parents involved passes away, the result is often a contentious, even bitter battle...
As the reality of the new tax laws hit home, it is important to think about how they will affect estate planning. New Yorkers who have significant assets should be aware of certain ways to take advantage of the changes to the law. Often, people who have already taken...
Issues with estate plans and their aftermath following the death of the testator happen relatively frequently in New York and across the nation. While many do not reach the level where they are discussed in the public sphere and reported in the news, it is useful to...
For many people, there comes a point in life where it becomes difficult or impossible to make sound personal decisions. For people with special needs, illnesses that affect mental capacity, and minor children, a guardian may be appointed to make those decisions. When...
As technology increases and different methods of accruing assets become more prominent, New Yorkers who have these assets in their portfolio should be aware of how to account for them in an estate plan. This is true even if these assets fluctuate in value, popularity...
The death of a loved one is a difficult situation to deal with for people throughout New York. One issue that many do not want to think about is how the decedent's assets will be handled after they have died. But, the distribution of assets and probate administration...
For people in New York who have not yet moved forward with estate planning or have a loved one who died without a will, it is important to know what will happen. For those with significant assets or limited assets, it is wise to think about a basic estate plan,...
New Yorkers who are thinking about their estate plan or already have an estate plan will want to pay strict attention to potential changes to the law and other factors that could necessitate changes. Simply drafting estate planning documents does not mean that it is...
As New Yorkers take steps to plan their estate, there are many alternatives available that should be weighed and considered before jumping in with both feet. For those with substantial assets, a major concern will be how to protect their beneficiaries from a massive...
The best time to create an estate plan is now. In general, people contemplate estate planning for weeks, months or even years before finally taking action. For some, it is a birthday, a life event or the start of a new year that finally inspires them to get started....
