Recent Blog Posts
New York Asset Protection 101
For a long time, most people saw estate planning as making a will, with no other steps required. In reality, asset protection steps help anyone who has assets; given the potential quirks of the probate process in Westchester County, it can settle a person’s mind to know that their assets can be as guarded… Read More »
Do I Need A New York Power of Attorney?
No one wants to think about getting older, but it is one of the few things that cannot be avoided. As it happens, it is important to ensure that your finances and your well-being are both properly protected. Executing a New York power of attorney (POA) can be a good solution in many respects… Read More »
Misconceptions About Medicaid Long-Term Care Assistance
A recent government study estimates that someone over 65 today has roughly a 70 percent chance of needing some kind of long-term care at the end of their life. This can be an extremely rude awakening if a person has not done their research about how best to cover these costs. Medicaid is the… Read More »
Medicaid Estate Recovery In New York
There are millions of people in the United States who seek long-term medical care toward the ends of their lives, with a majority of that being paid for by Medicaid. Long-term care, particularly in nursing homes, can be quite expensive, and the majority of those in Putnam County simply lack the funds to pay… Read More »
Common Reasons to Update Your New York Will
A will is a critical legal document that ensures a person’s wishes regarding how their assets are distributed after they pass away are honored. However, a common mistake people make is drafting a will and then storing it away, never to think about it again. This can be problematic. In New York, like in… Read More »
What Happens if You Die Without a Will in New York?
The purpose of writing a last will and testament is primarily to control who gets your assets after you pass away. Who should inherit your house? Who should inherit your money? Who do you not want to get anything? But what happens if you die “intestate” – that is without a will? Some people… Read More »
Guardianship vs Power of Attorney: Understanding the Difference
In New York, guardianship and power of attorney (POA) are tools used to manage a person’s affairs when they cannot do so themselves. Both tools allow other people to make crucial decisions on behalf of other people. However, while these two tools may serve the same purpose (ensuring someone can make decisions on behalf… Read More »
PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW TRANSFER-ON-DEATH-DEEDS LAW
In April 2024, New York State adopted the new Transfer-On-Death Deeds (“TODD”) law. The law aims to simplify the transfer of one’s home to their heirs by bypassing the Court proceedings which are part of the probate process. Theoretically, this law succeeds at that because now a homeowner can list beneficiaries on a TODD. … Read More »
Protecting Your Digital Assets in a New York State Estate Plan
In today’s digital age, a person’s estate is not limited to physical assets. Today, people own a variety of other assets that are not in a physical form. Some of these are, known as digital assets. Digital assets include social media profiles, cryptocurrencies, email accounts, etc. Our digital assets hold significant value, just like… Read More »
Spousal Refusal & New York Medicaid
In the U.S., the program that oversees most medical care for the elderly and disabled is Medicare, which offers coverage for many different types of service. That said, if a Westchester County resident needs long-term care, it is Medicaid that will cover those bills, assuming the person qualifies for benefits. Applying for New York… Read More »