When loved ones appear to be losing their ability to care for themselves, many families face the question: “How do I care for my loved one while preserving their sense of independence and dignity?” It’s not an easy question to answer and a challenging task to accomplish. Understanding the ways New York ensures the welfare and care of individuals who are unable to make autonomous decisions can help you and your family Read More
Student Loans and Estate Planning
A 17-year-old can’t legally be trusted to make a life-long decision like getting a tattoo, but they can take out tens of thousands of dollars in debt to go to school. Young adults are faced with a huge decision when they near the end of their high school career, and not even their parents are fully aware of the implications of this amount of debt. Going to college is an amazing opportunity that shouldn’t be Read More
Considerations For Parents of Adults with Special Needs
Every child brings a special light into the lives of their family, so it stands to reason that their needs would be equally unique. It might be hard to think about, but someday, our children will have to live without us. And although our children will always need us, some will need us more than others. One of the biggest questions for families with special needs children is: “Who will care for my child when I’m Read More
What Happens During a Real Estate Dispute?
New York is a fabulous place to work and live, which is why it has consistently been one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world. An unfortunate side-effect is that real estate disputes are fairly common. Disputes can arise for a variety of reasons, from disagreements regarding the true property owner, and of course, breaches of contract. Litigation can last for years, but staying knowledgeable can Read More
What Is Probate Law?
Probate law is a complex legal system that governs the process of settling a deceased person's estate. It can be confusing and overwhelming, especially for those who have never dealt with it before. If you're a beginner looking for guidance on what probate law is all about, you're in the right place. Read More
The Probate Process And How It Affects Your Estate
During your lifetime, it’s likely that you have worked extremely hard to leave something behind for the people you love. Whether it’s for funeral costs or a nest egg, the last thing you want is to sacrifice any portion of that on administrative processing fees. Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's assets are transferred to their heirs or beneficiaries. It involves proving the validity of the Read More
Powers of Attorney and How to Utilize Them In Your Estate Plan
Every estate plan comes with a variety of documents to outline your wishes after you die, but it’s still important to make a plan to protect your assets and best interests during your lifetime. Whether you find yourself incapacitated temporarily from a medical procedure, or in need of elder care later in life, you may need to designate one or more powers of attorney. What Exactly Can a Power of Attorney Do? A Read More
Advanced Directives and Estate Plans
An estate plan is generally known as a set of documents that outlines your assets and your beneficiaries after your death. But did you know that your estate plan can also include an outline of your wishes while you’re still alive? Understanding the different directives of your estate can help you plan for life’s unexpected circumstances. We’ve created an overview of three different directives. Living Read More
How to Revoke a Last Will and Testament
Wills may be revoked for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you’re getting married for the first time and you want to void your current will to name your new spouse as the main beneficiary of your estate. Maybe you’re a proud new parent who wants to ensure that your child receives a specific inheritance. The changes don’t even have to be family-related. If you’ve invested in real estate and sold several properties over Read More
Undue Influence: What It Is and Why It’s Hard to Prove
You’ve been spending a lot of time with your elderly mother, who has developed dementia, but your older sister has been spending a lot more, even though she and your mother were never close before. Your sister takes your mother to the doctor, runs her errands, pays her bills, and makes sure her shelves are stocked. You’re not sure what to make of this change of heart- until you learn that your mother has changed her Read More
