Estate Planning Lessons from Disney’s Encanto
In the early part of 2022, many young families spent a lot of time watching Disney’s award-winning animated film Encanto. Repeatedly. While the movie is obviously a great source of entertainment for kids, estate planning attorneys have also noticed that it contains a lot of valuable lessons that can help people prepare for their family’s […]
The Most Important Estate Planning “To Dos” After a Divorce
Going through a divorce can be painful, overwhelming, and stressful. It’s the end of one chapter and the start of another in your life. Although it might be the right decision, you’re forced to confront various issues. For example, you and your ex must agree to the terms of the divorce, such as child support, […]
You’re Never Too Young to Start Your New York Estate Plan
It is fairly typical for young adults, even those with professional careers aged thirty or more, to believe they are too young to concern themselves with estate planning. Young adults in their twenties and thirties often think they don’t own enough to constitute an estate. However, an estate is the total of all you own […]
Five Common Mistakes to Avoid When Establishing an Estate Plan
You spend the first half of your adult life trying to achieve financial security and the second half of your life trying to maintain it. This adage is why many people spend substantial time and effort, maximizing their legacy goals in their estate plan, ensuring their wishes come to pass. Your life’s work and ability […]
Estate Planning Mistakes People Make Five Ways
The first half of your adult life is spent getting financial security, the second half trying to maintain it. Accordingly, many people spend substantial time and effort in their estate planning maximizing their legacy goals, ensuring their wishes are met. Providing your family through your life’s work is a gratifying feeling for you and your […]
The Risk of Online Do-It-Yourself Estate Plans
We hear this question all the time: “Can’t I just grab a will off the internet, do a transfer-on-death deed for my land, put my kids on my bank account, and be done with my estate plan?” It’s just not a good idea. For the plan to work as you would want it to, it […]
The 5 Must-Haves for New York Estate Plan
As we age, the need for estate planning becomes even more vital. Many people avoid estate planning, because they do not want to think about the end of life, failing health or disability. Others believe that an estate plan is only for rich people. However, an estate plan is helpful for the senior adult and […]
A List of Bad Reasons to Put Off Estate Planning
My family and I don’t own much. Can’t we put off planning until we can afford it? You shouldn’t. It is crucial to give legal authority to a person of your choice, to care for your children if anything should happen to you. You don’t want your children to become wards of the court, […]
Creating a Letter Of Instruction To Go With Your Estate Plan
It doesn’t matter whether you are starting from scratch or have an estate plan in place, a letter of instruction (LOI) is an important part of any comprehensive plan. A letter of instruction can help your loved ones manage important information about you. An LOI conveys your desires, includes practical information about where to find […]
What is an Ancillary Probate or Ancillary Administration Proceeding?
When a person passes away with real property in multiple states, an ancillary proceeding may be necessary. The primary probate proceeding (if the person passed away with a Last Will & Testament) or primary administration proceeding (if the person passed away without a Last Will & Testament) is commenced in the State and County where […]