Recent Blog Posts
New York’s Medicaid Look-Back Period
Most people in Westchester County and Putnam County tend to think that they will not qualify for Medicaid because they have too many assets; Medicaid is usually seen as a program for lower-income households. In reality, when a person comes to a point where they need long-term care, they will almost certainly have to… Read More »
Is It Legal To Disinherit A Family Member?
No one likes to contemplate leaving a family member out of their estate planning if there is an alternative. Sadly, sometimes there is not. There are several reasons why a person may want to disinherit someone who was once a potential heir. The majority of those reasons will not be against the law in… Read More »
Having The Difficult Conversations About Asset Protection
No matter what type of relationship a person has with their parents, facing their aging and eventual passing can be difficult for all the parties involved. However, having those conversations about asset protection and estate planning are crucial – after all, it is a good idea to try and protect the assets they worked… Read More »
Explaining New York Estate Taxes
For many people, one of the most disagreeable elements of handling an elderly loved one’s affairs is the thought of dealing with estate taxes, particularly in dealing with inheritance. While New York does not have an inheritance tax, it does have estate taxes, levied upon a person’s estate once they have passed away. It… Read More »
How Easy Is It To Change Your New York Will?
As one moves into the part of life where estate planning becomes more important, making a will becomes one of the most crucial things many can do. A will is one of the foundational documents of estate planning. Despite this fact, many older people do not want to make one for fear that they… Read More »
“Spending Down” To Qualify For Medicaid Legally
When an elderly person is at a point in their life where they may require nursing home care, they may simply have too many assets in their possession to qualify for Medicaid. However, they cannot simply give assets away all at once in order to meet the Medicaid means test – doing so is… Read More »
Is A Trust Right For Your Elderly Loved One?
No one wants to think about estate planning, but it becomes increasingly necessary as people age. In the United States in particular, it is crucial to approach estate planning with the realization that you may need long-term care, as Medicaid will only cover such care for those with small amounts of assets. A living… Read More »
When Is A Guardianship Appropriate For Your Elderly Loved One?
No one likes to be told that they need help managing their own affairs, but it is simply a fact of life that many of us will require it. If you have an elderly loved one that you believe may require some help, New York law allows family members to step in and request… Read More »
Changing Your New York Will After “Gray” Divorce
In days past, it was much more common for people to remain married until the end of their lives, whether out of love, loyalty, or an inability to escape. Nowadays, so-called ‘gray divorce’ is more common in the United States, with the rate for those over age 50 remaining high in recent years while… Read More »
Explaining New York’s Probate Process
When a loved one starts to reach their golden years, it is a good idea for them to start thinking about their estate plan. It can be difficult to get our more stubborn family members to discuss such a topic, but it is crucial, particularly if they have significant assets that run the risk… Read More »