Putting together an effective Estate Plan requires some proactive effort, but the end result of thoughtful planning with an attorney will ensure that your Estate is distributed in the manner that you - and only you – want. The Primary Advantage of having a Will When...

If you try to create an Estate Plan without the help of a New York attorney, you might make mistakes that can render portions, or even your whole Will invalid. As with many things, it’s best to get professional help when creating your Estate plan - from start to...

If you die without a Will, Trust, or other valid Estate Planning documents in place, New York’s laws of Intestacy will likely determine what happens to your assets. Though sufficient in some circumstances, the laws of Intestacy fall short for many individuals as there...

For any number of reasons, you may not want a family member to inherit anything from your Estate if you should pass on before them. Fortunately, in New York there are steps you can take to disinherit someone, even though family members are often the first in line to...

It's common for parents who marry for a second or third time also to get stepchildren (or grandchildren) in the bargain. Many find the benefits of a blended family quite rewarding, and sometimes seek to legally adopt their stepchildren. In all events, whether the...

Charitable giving is immediately beneficial. Not only can you help others long-term, but research has uncovered many health boosts when you engage in charitable giving, including higher levels of self-esteem, lower levels of stress and depression, lower blood...

Many people can become overwhelmed by the estate planning process due to how complex it seems. However, most estate plans are not complex at all. Indeed, for many people  estate planning is a relatively straightforward process that includes a simple will. To that end,...

When making a trust, a trustee is generally chosen because they are reliable, honest, and have a fair amount of financial acumen. However, while a trustee might  have demonstrated these qualities at first, beneficiaries might find that their trustee is breaching the...

For various reasons, some people write their own wills without input or service from legal professionals. They may want to save money by not hiring a lawyer, or they may believe they have the expertise to handle it. However, writing your own will might actually cause...

All New York residents can benefit from having an estate plan, no matter how young or old. It is commonly assumed that estate plans, wills, and trusts are necessary when someone is old, near death, or becomes incapacitated. However, as recent events have taught us...