By Executive Order No. 202 on March 7, 2020, the Governor ordered that notarial acts required under state law are authorized to be performed via video technology. Stipulations include the following: If not known to the notary, the person seeking notary services must present a valid photo ID during the video conference. The video conference must […]
Dear Clients and Friends: I first wanted to extend our warm wishes of safety and health to you and your loved ones. Please see our posts on our website and Facebook for informational updates on developments as it relates to estates, estate planning and the courts. Initially, please be assured we are continuing to serve our […]
Dear Client:The coronavirus (COVID-19) is having effects on all levels of personal and business life, including the courts. Pursuant to the bulletin of the Chief Administrative Judge for New York State all non-essential court functions are being suspended until further notice. See the following link: https://www.nycourts.gov/whatsnew/pdf/Updated-Protocol-AttachmentA2.pdfWe will closely monitor the status of the court suspension and try our best to […]
Using Spendthrift Trusts in New York To what extent is a beneficiary’s trust fund available to his or her creditors? Most elder law attorneys are very well versed in how trusts can be used to protect assets from claims by Medicaid, but it has been noticed, at least in my own experience, that the broader rules […]
I recently gave a series of talks in which I explained that every stage of life offers an opportunity for estate and elder law planning. What source better than the Bard himself, to help to organize these talks. Here is a brief summary of my presentation. The play “As You Like It” includes a beautiful […]
One of the most common things that people tend to confuse is Medicare and Medicaid. These are very different government programs despite the similar name! Understanding the differences is an important step in leveraging these resources for one’s own benefit or those of a spouse, parent or family member. Medicaid is a joint Federal, State […]
ABLE accounts are savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families. These accounts are a newer kind of financial plan, which emerged as a result of the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014, also referred to as the ABLE act of 2014. ABLE accounts are a type of tax-advantaged […]
Having children changes one’s life, and gives it profound new meaning. As parents and grandparents, you always want what’s best for your children and grandchildren. You want to instill in them a hope about the future, which comes with a need to give them everything you can. Many aspirations in life come at a cost, […]
The following case study highlights the benefits of using a Revocable Living Trust where the chosen beneficiaries are other than the natural objects of one’s bounty. This case showed why a living trust may be better when someone wants to cut out a child or other close relative from one’s estate. The client had no […]
Knowing the basic terminology in any new area of study is a key to understanding the topic as a whole. This is particularly true with estate planning and trusts where unfamiliar terminology abounds. This post will specifically go through some of the more common nomenclature surrounding trusts and trust planning. What is a trust is […]