Recent Blog Posts
New York Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts
Today’s uncertain regulatory environment means that more and more people in Putnam County are becoming concerned about long-term care for themselves and loved ones. Medicaid is the federal program that covers the strong majority of people if they require nursing home care toward the end of their lives – but the program is means… Read More »
When Should I Update My New York Will?
A common misconception people in Westchester County have about making a will is that it is a static event, done once, never to be taken out again during one’s lifetime. In reality, a will can be updated whenever the testator (the person whose assets are being disposed of in the will) desires; in some… Read More »
What Is An Advance Directive?
No one likes to think about their final years, but at the same time, having an estate plan is crucial, so that you can ensure your wishes will be honored. One part of an estate plan that often gets overlooked, however – particularly by younger people – is what is known as an advance… Read More »
Talk Show Host Fights To Reclaim Her Rights After ‘Unjust’ Guardianship
Putnam County TV watchers may remember that in 2022, talk show host Wendy Williams was placed under a New York guardianship after her bank manager alleged that she was of “unsound mind.” Williams disputes that claim emphatically, and in recent months, has retained legal counsel to try and get the guardianship lifted. While discrepancies… Read More »
LGBTQ+ Estate Planning In New York
The U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, in its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. However, court decisions can be reversed or overruled; if this happens, many LGBTQ+ spouses may find themselves locked out of several legal processes predicated on marriage. Estate planning is a major legal field in which blood relatives are… Read More »
Choosing Your New York Healthcare Proxy Agent
When the average person thinks about their eventual passing, they prefer to think of it happening at home, surrounded by loving family. Thankfully, this will be the case for many Mahopac residents, but it is all too common for someone to pass on while in a hospital or other medical facility after acute distress… Read More »
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 »