Many estate planners dedicate a lot of time to avoiding probate. Given that probate can be a very long and drawn-out process, it makes sense as to why you would want to help your heirs avoid it. One way that some Americans attempt to help their heirs avoid probate is...
PLEASE NOTE: We are able to fully assist you during these difficult times. We are offering our clients and prospective clients the ability to meet with us via telephone or through video conferencing. Please call our office at 914-948-1500 so that we may assist you.
We are pleased to announce the reopening of our White Plains office location for in-office meetings. We are following the applicable New York State regulations for Phase 2 re-openings. These regulations limit in-person gatherings, so although we will hold a select number of in-person meetings, we will continue to encourage telephone and video-conference meetings whenever possible. We have implemented health and safety procedures for all staff, as well as those clients who come into the office. Please click here for in-office meeting procedures.
A sudden health crisis can activate your health care proxy
If you have ever experienced a close call while driving, you probably thanked your lucky stars that you avoided a disaster and promptly forgot about it. But what if you become incapacitated in a vehicle crash? Or suffer a stroke? If you have a health care proxy in...
How can you discuss estate planning with your family?
If you are like most people, death is not an easy conversation to have. It is tough when you're having that conversation with your adult children. Death is an uncomfortable topic, but it benefits the whole family if you have a conversation with them about your estate...
3 actions during estate planning that help reduce taxes
If you wish to leave your assets to loved ones after passing on, you probably do not want their inheritance eaten up by heavy taxation. In New York, there are both state and federal estate taxes. However, proper estate planning may result in the reduction of these...
What goes into an estate plan?
Drafting an estate plan is not always a pleasant prospect, but it is necessary for ensuring your family is cared for after your death. Understanding what goes into an effective plan may make the task less daunting. An estate plan expresses your wishes regarding who...
Is it time to update your estate plan?
Having an idea of when to review your estate plan is an essential part of its maintenance. Of course, every person's situation differs. There is no one timeline for updating and reviewing that works for everyone. But you can still follow a rough guideline. There are...
New parents need a will
As a new parent, you prepared for the arrival of your child in many practical ways, such as buying diapers and opening a college fund. Now, prepare a will. You may not feel ready to think about estate planning at such a young age. Yet for new parents, thinking of the...
3 life events that may cause you to change your estate plan
Since you never know what might happen to you and when it might happen, it is a smart idea to create an estate plan no matter your age. However, between now and the time you die, your life may change in many unpredictable ways. As a result, the estate plan you create...
Do you suspect a case of undue influence?
The laws of intestacy dictate much of how estate plans function in New York State. They cover how to properly create an estate plan and how they should be implemented upon a person's death. In most cases, working with a deceased loved one's estate plan is a relatively...
Implementing an advance directive to strengthen your protection
Thinking about the worst-case scenario regarding your health can be difficult. But what if, in the future, you stopped breathing due to declining health? Would your loved ones know whether you wanted to be resuscitated or receive life-saving treatment? Or what if you...
