Many of the cues that get people thinking about estate planning are family related. New marriages, becoming a grandparent, passing along a family business or protecting family heirlooms can all be the impetus for starting an estate plan. A new trend may require a...
New Yorkers who are crafting an estate plan will want to ensure that they create a document that prepares for every eventuality. One area that is constantly and inevitably changing is the political situation. Having a well-rounded estate plan should account for most...
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration recently issued a report concerning how estate and gift tax returns are being processed. The report highlights substantial discrepancies in how the IRS handled the examination process. One of the issues covered in...
Not every New Yorker has a vast portfolio with significant assets that must be distributed at the time of death. Some people have significantly less. This determines the designation of the property of the decedent being referred to as a "small estate." If there was...
For people who have died and did not have a valid will, their estate is considered intestate. This means that there was no will and the distribution of assets will be based on the law for such circumstances. New York residents who fail to have even a basic estate plan...
A concern that occupies the minds of many New Yorkers as they formulate strategies for estate planning documents is how best to handle children. This is compounded when the child has physical or mental issues that make their care exponentially important. If the child...
Residents of New York State who are getting their estate planning documents in order might want to make the process as easy as possible for their heirs. Part of that is keeping costs in line. Since probate is expensive and can take a long time, many people who are...
There are topics that many Americans do not feel comfortable discussing, even with friends and family. Some topics are too personal, others are simply uncomfortable. Estate planning touches on two topic that many people have trouble discussing: money and death. A...
There are many pitfalls for the inexperienced estate planner. Do-it-yourself planning can go from confusing to hopeless with a just few, relatively common wrinkles. One of the most common factors that can make estate planning complicated is the blended family....
Crafting an estate plan is vital for everyone in New York State, but it is particularly important for women. There are a variety of reasons for this. It might not be an issue that takes up a great deal of their thoughts, but that does not make it any less imperative....
