Your Legal Toolbox: Understanding Your Role as a Fiduciary in New York Estate Administration When it comes to probate and estate administration, few roles carry more legal and ethical weight than that of a fiduciary. Whether you’re an executor named in a Will or an administrator appointed by the court, you have a legal obligation […]
Your Legal Toolbox: What Does an Executor Do? A Guide for New York Probate and Estate Administration You’ve been named the executor of a Will. Now what? Serving as the executor of an estate in New York is a serious responsibility, one that involves navigating the complex probate process and managing the decedent’s affairs with […]
Nuts and Bolts of Trusts, Part 1 What are trusts and how do they work? We’ve all heard of trusts, but they often seem unapproachable to the average person. Despite their reputation, trusts can be beneficial to people from all walks of life. Though they can be complex in nature, with the assistance of an […]
I’ve met with many clients over the years who love the asset protection and probate avoidance of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT), but who get very nervous when they see that the trust is irrevocable. The good news is that you can get the best of both worlds with the MAPT, that is, get […]
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 […]
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, […]
James Yastion, Esq., a New Paltz trusts and estates lawyer with over 16 years of experience in the field, will delve into the pros and cons of trusts versus wills, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts for Medicaid and nursing home planning, Revocable Living Trusts to avoid probate, and family trusts to protect your children’s or grandchildren’s […]