Many of our readers are about to celebrate Rosh Hashanah. We wish those who observe a happy and healthy new year. At this time of year, those of the Jewish faith tend to reflect upon their acts during the past year and to set goals for improvements in the following…
In a prior post , we discussed the death of the musician Prince and speculated about matters pertaining to his estate. Since that time, the public has become aware of the tragic circumstances of his death and that he did indeed die without a Will. In New York, person dying without…
Many of our readers are looking forward to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Most of us are thinking of spending time at a backyard barbeque or taking advantage of a sale at a department store. Memorial Day also has a more somber connotation, thanking our military for the ultimate sacrifice…
Fans of the musician Prince were distressed to learn of his untimely passing last week. News reports now circulating have noted that Prince died without a Will. This post will address the implications of dying without a Will. As this firm is located in New York State, this post will address…
Given that the 2015 tax filing deadline is imminent, taxes and the potential reduction of tax liability are on the minds of many of our clients. Some of our clients are fortunate enough to own collections of valuable personal property, such as artwork, cars and the like. Our estate attorneys are…
From time to time our firm is asked if a promise to make a Will leaving one’s inheritance to a particular person is enforceable. Such promises occur in the following situations. A relative spends a lot of time with another, perhaps even doing substantial favors for the person, who repeatedly says…
Are you planning to get engaged this Valentine’s Day? While legal concerns may not be particularly romantic, our firm offers the following legal advice pertaining to issues that arise upon marriage in this post. Legal issues arise whether it is a first or second marriage and may become more complicated if…
Some of our trust and estate clients have adult children who are disabled. The child may have been born with a disability, such as cerebral palsy, making the parents accustomed to allowing for the disability while knowing that such disability will never go away. In the alternative, the disability may…
Some of our trust and estate clients have asked us how to best protect their beloved pet in the event of their disability or demise. Pets can be just as important as children when planning one’s estate. These family members can be adequately provided for in a legal fashion. Traditionally, pets have…
The New York Times recently published an article concerning the scenario that many New Yorkers fear. Having lost personal and professional connections to relatives and friends, some people unfortunately die alone. Since these people are not missed, days or weeks could go by before odors emanate from their home and…