Getting to the Heart of the Matter, A Personal Family Story: Transitions and Timing
There is an Eagles song that starts off with, “I got the call today, I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come.” While that song refers to lost love, the first sentence always makes me think of other bad news that you know will come eventually, and that happened to me a […]
Which Business Entity is Right For You: Sole Proprietorship, LLC, S Corp, and More
If you’re wondering how to choose a business structure, we work with clients in New York to build and grow businesses entities, whether they are in the brick-and-mortar space or offer services online.
Estate Planning Lingo Cheat Sheet
Last month, we discussed real estate terms to know, and this month, we tackle estate planning terms. I’ve picked five fairly common terms, but if you haven’t had experience with estate planning before, you might not know exactly what they mean. Power of Attorney or POA. This document appoints a person (your agent) that you […]
Real Estate Lingo Cheat Sheet
We’ve all been in a room, or on a call, and someone uses a term, or an abbreviation, with which we aren’t familiar. This blog contains five common real estate terms. Let me know how many you knew or if you learned something you didn’t! MLS. Or now known as OneKey MLS. If you’ve bought […]
Do You Have A Plan For Your Pet If You Are Disabled Or Die?
The world feels very different right now. You watch the news, you talk to your sources and you are doing the best you can to prepare, as we all are doing. Everyone should follow the directions of the government. Courts are closed right now, there are no foreclosure auctions for a minimum of 30 days. […]
The Power of an Ethical Will
If you aren’t familiar with this term, you aren’t alone. You’ve most likely heard of a Last Will and Testament, which is a legal document designating your beneficiaries and fiduciaries after their death. An ethical will is personal, and instead of focusing on the distribution of one’s assets, it outlines your values, beliefs, family traditions, […]
My Travels to Japan: A Lifetime of Memories
If you’ve followed my newsletter for some time, you know that I love to travel. From Iceland to St. Maarten to Ireland and beyond, I’ve visited many incredible locations and have learned so much about different cultures. Last month, I had the fantastic experience of traveling to Japan! This was my first time, […]
Relationships and Trust
I remember as a kid when I liked a song on the radio and I had to wait for it to come on if I didn’t own the record or cassette. Or, waiting for holiday movies and shows to air because there were no streaming options to watch them anytime I liked. I remember […]
Celebrating Rhonda: 10 years with Sugarman Law + Reflections Over the Past Decade
10 Years of Excellent Service It is hard to believe but Sugarman Law, P.C. celebrated its 19th anniversary this year and my right-hand lady, Rhonda Oltchick, has been our Office Manager for 10 of those 19 years!! On this momentous occasion, I wanted to reflect on Rhonda, and the past 19 years, and point out […]
Establishing an Article 17-A guardianship and the Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT)
If your child with developmental or intellectual disabilities is approaching 18, consider applying to the court to be appointed as an Article 17-A guardian. Once they turn 18, an incompetent person is now legally recognized as an adult, and parents or guardians no longer have automatic authority to make legal or financial decisions on their […]
The Deed You Might Want to Consider Adding To Your Estate Planning
New York State has recently enacted legislation that now allows the usage of a “transfer on death” (“TOD”) deed. Joining 20+ states that have a similar deed in place, this significant change in estate planning allows a property owner to simplify the estate probate process by designating a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive their real […]
After A Loss: Your Guide To Legal Matters And How To Prepare
Losing a loved one is incredibly difficult. You are grieving, planning for family members and friends to come into town, making decisions regarding funeral services and memorials, and maybe facing financial hardships. It’s a time of stress, overwhelm, and great sadness. The last thing on your mind is legalities, but unfortunately, these things come up […]
I’m Back!
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. Work, life, family – it can all get to be overwhelming at times and even though writing newsletters has been an ongoing task on my “to-do” list, it kept getting pushed down. That same thing often happens when people are getting their legal affairs in order. […]
Milestones + Your Attorney
Major milestones in your life happen either by plan, or when you least expect it, and your attorney is one person you can turn to when those moments occur for support. We’ve discussed it in the past, but recent client situations made me revisit this topic again. It is so important to make sure that […]
5 P’s To Review This Year
We are a couple of months into the new year and it’s a great time to examine 5 very important P’s in your life. Personal Property Policies Planning Partnerships What happened in your personal life last year or will happen this year? Are you looking to form a new business? Are you getting married? Did you have a […]
Foreclosures, Your Options And The New Laws Passed In New York
There are two new items I wanted to share with you this month, in regards to foreclosures. Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act On December 30, 2022, New York State Governor Hochul signed the Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act (FAPA.) The Act amends the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL), General Obligations Law (GOL) and Civil Practice […]
Happy Holidays!
As we close out 2022, it’s a good time to reflect. It’s been a great year and a record year for real estate closings here at Sugarman Law. Prices are flattening out, houses are staying on the market longer and everything has cooled down with respect to bidding wars. Bidding wars still happen, but everything […]
Consumer Protection Law: You Have Rights!
We want to introduce you to a new practice area that we at Sugarman Law have been developing – Consumer Protection Law. Any time an individual has a contract with a company or organization, are purchasing something, using a service, and become obligated to pay a debt, you are a consumer and you have rights. […]
Real Estate ABCs: The Final Installment
I hope you have found the past two months’ newsletters helpful. We complete our series on some common real estate terminology, either as a buyer or a seller. We kick it off with Letter Q. Quitclaim Deed This type of deed releases a person’s interest in a property without stating the nature of the person’s […]
Real Estate ABCs Continued
Last month, we began our series on some common real estate terminology I hope you find helpful to know, either as a buyer or a seller. This month we continue our series and kick it off with the letter “I” … Insurance specifically homeowners. This is an insurance you have to have in place before […]
Real Estate ABCs
It’s back to school time, so I thought we would get in on the fun and do an ABCs of real estate series! Stay tuned over the next few months, as we complete the alphabet. A is for Appraisal This is the value that the bank assigns to your home. In this market, I have […]
Are These Collecting Dust In Your Business?
I took a nice week off for a staycation earlier this month and it really got me thinking. As I was deep cleaning parts of my house, I was reminded that when we are so busy with our daily lives, often things get overlooked. I was thankful to have the time to do some of […]
Getting A Health Care Proxy In Place
My son turned 18 a few weeks ago and graduated from high school this month. You may feel my pain – your child is no longer a child. Their 18th birthday comes around and all of a sudden, in an instant, they’re an adult. Even though your child may still be living at home or […]
Mortgage Payments Piling Up? Here Are Your Options
A few years ago, I sent out a newsletter about your options when you are experiencing difficulties paying your mortgage. Because of the pandemic this past year, and recent changes in the law, I thought it was a very relevant topic to discuss once again. Many people have gone into mortgage forbearance because of Covid […]
The Title Report: What Might Show Up Unexpectedly
We are already over the two year mark of when Covid became a household name in our lives and a lot has changed. I thought it would be interesting to share some of the changes with the courts and real estate and how its affected people and will affect them ongoing. Judgments and Liens You […]
A Few Common Misconceptions About Hiring An Attorney
This month, I thought I would share some of the common misconceptions or fears that people might have about hiring an attorney. Attorneys are expensive. It depends on why you are hiring an attorney. All situations are different so when one person says, “I paid so much to my attorney,” they might not be telling […]
Small Business, Big Issues
That food truck you started with your best friend, the online T-shirt shop you run with your sister-in-law, the design business you started with friends from the coffee shop – all examples of small businesses that came from big ideas. While these businesses may be considered small, they are still a business and you need […]
Happy Holidays From Sugarman Law
We are just a few weeks shy of the end of 2021. I can’t believe it. A year ago at this time, I had Covid, and here we are, a year later, still dealing with the pandemic. The way business is done has changed drastically, as I know it has for so many. Some say […]
7 Issues That Can Delay A Closing Seller’s Side
Last month, we looked at some common issues that delay a closing on the side of the purchaser. Now, we focus on the seller side of the transaction. Overpricing your home A lot of sellers are trying to take advantage of the market and aren’t being realistic when it comes to the pricing of their […]
7 Issues That Could Delay A Closing Purchaser’s Side
This month, we are going to focus on some of the common issues I see pop up that could delay a closing on the purchaser’s side in a real estate transaction. Next month, I will dig into the seller’s side, so stay tuned! Not enough money for closing costs If you’ve purchased a house, you […]
Your Rights and Your Responsibilities
This month, I wanted to discuss something we haven’t explored before. When working with an attorney, every client has certain rights and responsibilities. It is important to understand these rights and responsibilities because we are all under a lot of pressure – clients are selling or buying their homes, or forming businesses, etc. – and […]
The Legal Summer Reading List Part 3: Personal Documents
As we continue our legal summer reading series, this month we delve into documents important to have for your personal life. 1. Power of attorney What is it? This document allows you to appoint an agent to act on your behalf while you are still alive. Why do I need it? This person can help […]
The Legal Summer Reading List Part 2: Business Documents
As we continue our legal summer reading series, this month we delve into documents important for your business. Corporate Formation Documents What is it? The corporate entity formation documents include the filing receipt, articles of incorporation or, bylaws, operating agreements (LLC), proof of publication, shareholder or partnership agreements, buy-sell agreements and more, depending on […]
The Legal Summer Reading List Part 1: Real Estate
Summer feels so close. School is ending, vacations (much more than last year) are being planned. What are you doing this summer? Whether it’s relaxing on the beach, selling your home or writing a new business plan, this legal summer reading series has something for you to consider. We start off this month with documents […]
Your Child Is Headed To College – Do They Have A Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney?
It’s overwhelming when your child, now a legal adult, moves away to college. You are filling out a lot of paperwork – for financial aid, potentially apartment or dorm, or selecting courses. An often overlooked, but vitally important part of the paperwork puzzle are your child’s health care proxy and power of attorney (POA). As […]
Be Prepared: My Recent Experience And Why Plans Must Be In Place
A sentence I didn’t think I would be typing… I had COVID-19 recently. Thankfully, I am now fine. It wasn’t an easy road though, it was tough. This virus is very real and you just never know how it will affect you. I am much better now and throwing myself back into work, but the […]
Why A Home Inspection And Final Walk-Through Are So Important
We’ve been chatting the past few months about real estate and this month we focus on the initial home inspection and the final walk-through, which is really the last chance a purchaser has before they are handed the keys. In the contract of sale, the seller usually gives basic representations that the plumbing, electrical, heating […]
Open — but paid off — Mortgages
As we continue our conversation this month on some things to look out for when selling or purchasing a home, I am going to discuss old mortgages that show up on your title report and how they might affect the sale. Chances are, when you bought your home, the prior owner had a mortgage that […]
But, It Was There When I Bought It…
I hear this phrase a lot so I wanted to discuss some important items to review before you list your home for sale. This month, and next, I am covering THREE of the biggest issues I often face when representing sellers. This month is all about the importance of a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance, often referred […]
Real Estate Is HOT – Here Are A Few Ways To Stay Cool
My cat, Felix, loves to sit by our pool, but he is afraid to jump into the water. If you are Felix right now, sitting on the edge, wondering if you should jump into the real estate market – let me tell you, it might be time! Especially if you are a seller. It is […]
Preparation +Support
Many people aren’t considering vacationing anywhere but in their own hometown these days. But, as travel becomes more of an option over the Summer, remember having your will and advanced directives in place will give you peace of mind as you do plan for your trip. I’ve discussed the importance of advanced directives in the […]
5 Tips For Buying An Existing Business Or Franchise
You were scanning Craigslist or talking to a business broker and found a business you want to buy. It might be a strip mall, a salon or even a franchise opportunity. I’m sharing five tips as you navigate this very detailed process and, of course, the first step is to call an attorney. At Sugarman Law, […]
A Basic Overview of Trusts
As part of the year’s end, we are finishing up our series on estate planning and this month we are giving you a basic overview of the different types of trusts you can utilize in your estate planning. Trusts can be confusing. There are many different kinds for many different reasons and trying to navigate […]
Estate Planning: Wills And Advanced Directives, When Do I Need These?
Estate planning is just as it says – it’s a plan to ensure that your wishes are implemented – how you want your estate to be divided, who should be guardian to your minor children, and your assets are protected from tax implications and Medicaid. Your home, your car, your collectibles, your money, anything you want […]
Buying A Home? What You Should Know About Inspections, Repairs & Contract Clauses
You found the house of your dreams! You have put in an offer and it was accepted. Now it’s time for the home inspection. You ask, “Why do I need a home inspection? It costs so much!” I tell both my purchasers and my sellers that a home inspection is so that the purchaser knows […]
Building A House + President Once More (June Was About My ‘Why’)
My business coach talks about how everyone should know their ‘why’ – their reason for doing what they do. In fact, we had one of our yearly retreats in June and did a lot of mindset work. I really came back with great clarity around some decisions in my business. The concept of ‘why’ also […]
Protect Your Assets Before It’s Too Late
When you get the newsletter this month, I will have just seen Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band at Jones Beach. One of my favorite songs is Night Moves. But it means so much more to me now than it did when I was younger. Instead of thinking about young love, my attention is now […]
Changes In Life = Changes To Your Life Plan
When I got out of law school in 1997, some classmates were talking about opening up their own offices. I thought, no way, that isn’t for me! I want to get a paycheck, save for retirement and make partner someday. I also had no plans for having a child either. Fast forward to 2005 – […]
Staples, Adventures And Changes + Island Vibes
If you know me, you know my family takes an annual trip to St. Maarten! We have been going there since the early ’90s at least once a year, sometimes twice. I love to lay on the beach, relax and recharge. Is there really anything better than falling asleep to the crash of the waves? […]
You Signed It, They Signed It…But What If That Didn’t Happen? Contracts 101
We sign contracts all the time. In fact, every time you visit a website that uses cookies and you hit ‘accept’ when it pops up or you download an app and agree to the terms and conditions, you enter into a binding agreement. If the game you download on your phone has a contract in […]
Your Mortgage Is Past Due…Do You Know Your Options?
Anything can happen at any time and suddenly, you can’t pay your mortgage. It’s a scary thought. And it can happen to just about anyone. Most recently with the government shut down, people missed several paychecks and if they didn’t have savings to pull from, many became late on payments to the mortgage lender and […]
Buying, Selling, Expanding?
If you were headed into the forest to walk a new trail – would you rather go alone or with an experienced guide? Every day, business is a lot like a walk in the forest. Sometimes you can see clearly ahead and you know exactly where to go. Other times, the path gets blurred, or […]
The Checklist You Need To Read Before You List Your Home
If it’s time to sell your home, you may be confused as to where to start first. (And if you aren’t selling personally, but know someone who is, kindly forward this newsletter over to them.) You wouldn’t fix the brakes on your car if you had zero experience as a mechanic and trying to handle […]
The Philosophy of “More Cowbell”
One of my all-time favorite Saturday Night Live skits is More Cowbell with Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon. The actors are portraying Blue Oyster Cult recording their hit song, (Don’t Fear) The Reaper. And the producer, played by Christopher Walken, keeps telling them, “I need more cowbell.” It’s five minutes of hilarity. I was talking to my friend […]
We’re Going To Be Seeing A Lot More Of One Another
Welcome to the Sugarman Blog! Each month, we’ll be posting articles to provide answers, tips and advice to our clients and friends. Some of the subjects we’ll be covering include: In foreclosure or can’t pay your mortgage? We can advise you. Starting a business and aren’t sure how to incorporate? We got your back. Town violations keeping […]