Does Your Family Know Where To Find Documents In Your Home?
Shoeboxes full of paperwork, folders in a bin in the attic, a cedar chest in the basement filled with documents. Can you imagine trying to go through your loved ones home if they pass to make sure you have the needed access to their accounts? It would be a nightmare if you didn’t know where […]
A Living Will Brings Peace of Mind
My father in law recently passed away after a short stay in the hospital. He was 88 and lived a long life. But, he never wanted to have those important (and tough) discussions about getting near the end of life and planning for a burial, creating a will, choosing advanced directives, etc. When asking my […]
Estate Planning Tips to Avoid, or Simplify, Probate in New York State
You’ve probably heard some horror stories about how long it takes someone to be appointed the fiduciary of an estate. It’s true. Probate can be stressful and time consuming at the least. We’ve seen some estates take years before someone gets appointed as the fiduciary (this is not typical, it shouldn’t take more than a […]
Per Diem Court Coverage in Nassau & Suffolk: What to Send Before the Appearance
You have two conferences scheduled at the same time in different courthouses. A client emergency pulls you away from a routine appearance. A family matter means you cannot make the 9:30 calendar call in Riverhead. Every attorney practicing in Nassau and Suffolk counties knows these situations. The question is not whether you will need […]
Power of Attorney in New York: What Long Island Families Should Know
Imagine a sudden illness lands you in the hospital. Or an unexpected accident leaves you unable to communicate. Who pays your mortgage? Who talks to your doctors? Who makes sure your children are cared for? For Long Island families, these questions carry real weight. Without the right legal documents in place, your loved ones […]
Business Succession Planning on Long Island: A Clear Checklist
You built your business from the ground up. You made difficult decisions, weathered uncertain markets, and created something that supports your family and your employees. Now comes a question that many Long Island business owners put off for too long: What happens to your company when you step away? Business succession planning is not […]
Don’t Let Your Estate Plan Become A Nightmare
After decades of working in estate planning, I can really say I have seen it all. This blog is all about unintended consequences. These general scenarios might help you understand why having the right estate plan in place is so important for peace of mind, protecting your family and avoiding future conflict. Often everything starts with good […]
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts in New York State
It’s been a while since we’ve touched on the basics of trusts and some people have been asking for a basic primer on the different types of trusts and what would be the best use of a trust for their specific situations.
Why Every Long Island College Student Needs a Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney
When your child turns 18, they are legally considered an adult. This exciting milestone comes with new freedoms, but also important legal changes many parents don’t realize until it’s too late. Under HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), parents lose automatic access to their adult child’s medical records. And once your child is no longer […]