A Last Will and Testament is a formal document that must meet certain requirements to be deemed valid. Estates Powers and Trusts Law 3-2.1 is the statute which governs will executions in New York.  This list of requirements includes the proper execution of the Will.  Will execution is the process by which the will is […]

Let suppose that after you pass away, your leave your assets to a beneficiary who then passes away soon thereafter. What happens to those assets you leave them? Sometimes, a beneficiary will survive a testator but not long enough for the decedent’s estate to be probated and distributed. In these cases, the beneficiary is called […]

In New York State when a minor reaches the age of 18, they have the legal right to make their own decisions.  Their parents no longer have the authority to make decisions about their health or property.  While this may seem obvious and logical to most, for those parents of disabled young people, a child’s […]

Moving to a new state can bring about a range of changes, including the need to review and update important legal documents. If you've recently relocated to New York from another state, it's essential to assess your estate planning documents to ensure they align with the laws and requirements of your new home. This article […]

When someone dies, they are referred to as the decedent and those named in their will or trust are their beneficiaries.  If the decedent died without a will (or what is called intestate) then those who will inherit from them are called their distributees.  If a beneficiary (or a distributee) dies before the decedent, then […]

If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with special needs, you may have many questions and concerns about how to plan for your child's future. Whether your child has a developmental disability, a medical condition, or a learning disability, you likely want to make sure that they have the best possible care […]

When a married couple prepares an estate plan, they have the option of creating a joint will.  A joint will is a legal document that outlines the wishes of both spouses for the distribution of assets upon their death.  While joint wills may seem like an appealing low-cost option, there are several reasons why a married couple may […]

Joint accounts and beneficiary designations are often used as convenient ways to manage financial affairs and ensure that assets are passed on to loved ones after death. However, these methods have several pitfalls that can cause problems for both the account holders and the intended beneficiaries. One of the biggest drawbacks of joint accounts is […]

If you find yourself making an interstate move, there will be plenty of logistics to tackle - purchasing or renting a new home, updating your driver’s license and car registration, getting your children settled in a new school, and finding new doctors, but do you also need to update your estate planning documents? In theory, […]

While we may love our children’s spouses, the truth is that when planning our estates, the majority of us don’t want our sons-in-law and daughters-in-law to inherit from us.  This common sentiment combined with the unfortunate reality that a significant percentage of marriages in this country end up in divorce, means that everyone should engage […]