A lot of New Yorkers are daunted by the estate planning process. It’s not only difficult to think about your own mortality, but it’s also hard to think about how best to leave assets to your loved ones, especially if you’re unfamiliar with estate planning options and...
Year: 2021
What should you do if you can’t find your mother’s will?
The death of a mother or father is an emotional time for New York residents. Besides having to grieve their parent a child will also need to deal with their estate. This can be very complicated and if a child cannot find their parent’s will, it can make the probate...
Possible issues with transfer on death provisions
Many accounts have a “transfer on death” (TOD) provision that allows the assets to go directly to a beneficiary and avoid probate. While this is a good first step towards estate planning, it is important to keep in mind that this is not the only step that should be...
What can you do about unpleasant surprises in a loved one’s will?
While some people in New York enjoy a good surprise, a surprise many do not wish is to find out upon a loved one’s death is that that you are inheriting much less than you expected or have been left out of the will entirely. If this happens you may wish to contest the...
The purpose of a financial power of attorney
When people are advised of the importance of advanced directives such as a living will or a power of attorney for healthcare to accompany a will or trust, they may also want to consider setting up a financial POA to oversee the financial wellbeing of the estate....
The most basic concept about trusts
New York residents have plenty of options when it comes to estate planning. In fact, the wide variety of options is oftentimes the reason that many people put off estate planning for so long – they simply do not know which options to choose. However, a little...
Other than a will, are there other estate planning documents?
There has been, perhaps, no other time in recent history where estate planning has been such a popular topic. After all, with the craziness of the past year, it is no wonder many of us are trying to figure out how to prepare for unexpected events, and many have found...
What kinds of guardianships are available in New York?
In New York and throughout the United States, it is unfortunate that circumstances sometimes arise where adults need to be cared for by other adults. Often, this is done by a family member, but it is not required. When a person cannot make decisions on their own and...
Appointing a health care proxy in New York
While it can be difficult to think about, there may come a time when a person cannot make health care decisions for him or herself. A health care proxy may be useful to consider as part of an estate plan. Health care proxy In New York, an adult who is 18 years of age...
How risky is it to forego an estate plan in New York?
There are a lot of New Yorkers who don’t put much, if any, thought into estate planning. These individuals think that their lives are pretty simple, and that allowing their assets to pass to their loved ones without a will suits their needs well enough. But this kind...