Do you ever think about what your legacy will be? Legacy is commonly defined as, "a gift by will, especially of money or other personal property." But legacy includes much more, such as the values you live by and that you want to convey to future generations.Fact:...
New Yorkers are our own breed: Our pets are our 'fur babies'. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and are, unequivocally, an integral part of the family. Perhaps a tough thought, but what happens to them should you pass away? Here's a chilling fact: the law...
November is known as the month of giving. The reason for that is shrouded in history and tradition, but that does not diminish the fact. What makes this year different from years past, though, is that it is the first November since Congress enacted massive tax...
The right to independence is a core American value, something many have committed their lives to defending in service to the country. Living life independently on our own terms ranks equally high on that value scale. Sadly, aging has a way of slowly eroding our...
There are numerous reasons to develop a thorough estate plan early in life. It ensures your loved ones honor your wishes after death, but that is dependent on your family members being able to locate the documents. You should have multiple copies...
Leaving your lover is a big focus of pop music. Michael Bublé sings "It's a Beautiful Day" now that his lover is gone away. Paul Simon offers that there's no "need to be coy, Roy. Just get yourself free." But what if the loved thing is something only a parent...
Most of the time, relatives of a decedent bear no responsibility for debt owed by that person. However, the existence of such debt does create the potential risk of reducing the value of the estate and how much heirs receive. That's because debts of the deceased are...
Many of us are animal lovers and non-human companions come in a lot of shapes and sizes. As we have noted in another section of our site, millions of New Yorkers have pets they love as much as (or perhaps more than) family. Understandably, it's not unusual for pets to...
Conventional messaging around the probate process is that it is something to avoid like the plague. To that end, legal strategies and tools exist to facilitate the transfer of assets outside the scope of the court.The main reason for the aversion to probate is that it...
You know estate plans are vital, and you have put in the time and effort in making yours to protect your family and money. You may think you can relax now.Before you breathe a sigh of relief, however, make sure you have not forgotten any of these important inclusions....
