When it Comes to Estate Planning, Put your Wishes on Paper and Leave Nothing to Chance Often, clients tell me, “I’m going to leave everything I have to my son John, and he knows to take care of the other kids.” People assure me that their families are extremely close, and there’s no question…
Power of Attorney A Power of Attorney form allows you, the Principal, to designate someone, an Agent, to act on your behalf when you are alive and cannot perform certain tasks for yourself. You have the ability to outline which powers your Agent will have. Some of these powers include buying and selling of goods,…
Here’s Why You Don’t Want a Guardianship A power of attorney is a document where you authorize another person to conduct business transactions for you. A health care proxy is a document where you authorize another person to make medical decisions for you. If you do not have a power of attorney and health care…
What is Probate? In New York State, an Executor nominated under a will needs to petition the court in order to receive Letters Testamentary so that they can act. The Executor will use the Letters to obtain and gather the assets of the estate. An Executor is mainly responsible for paying the debts of the…
Important Legal Issues Facing Seniors Will You Need Community Medicaid? Community Medicaid covers care and medical services that will enable an applicant to continue living on their own, as opposed to living in a nursing home; in other words, applicants will remain in the community. It is available to eligible New York residents who are living…
NEW YORK CANNABIS DISPENSARY LICENSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE The Office of Cannabis Management has opened the application process for New Yorkers interested in opening a cannabis dispensary. Initially, 150 licenses will be issued throughout New York State, 17 of which are available for locations in the Mid-Hudson region. The license authorizes the license holder to…
BEING MARRIED MAY NOT MEAN WHAT YOU THINK WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR ESTATE People frequently assume that having a spouse means that your assets will all go to him/her if you die intestate (without a will), and conversely, if you do have a will, you can leave your assets to anyone that you want….
IS YOUR ONLINE WILL VALID? With promises of producing the exact forms that you need, for an unbelievable price, and in a matter of minutes, it’s no wonder that many people are opting for online services for their estate planning needs instead of seeking advice from a qualified attorney. A Last Will and Testament can…
PAPER PAPER EVERYWHERE Do you have boxes of cancelled checks from the 1970s? The receipt for a dishwasher you bought 11 years ago? Papers for a car you sold 5 years ago? Little Sally’s 4th grade report card? Wouldn’t you love to throw all that away? How much of this paper are you supposed to…
Estate Plan Exclusions The majority of estate plans that we prepare at our law firm leave assets to clients’ children in equal shares. Some clients make wills, and others create trusts. Some seek to keep assets protected from long-term care and nursing home costs or to minimize estate taxes. But generally the objective is to…
