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Category: Estate Planning
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Latest News

Hon. Gail Prudenti Selected as a Top Lawyer in Long Island

We're excited to announce that Hon. Gail Prudenti has be recognized by the Long Island Herald as a 2024 Top Lawyer of Long Island award recipient for her excellence in the Trusts and Estates practice area.

April 22, 2024
Transferring Property into a Trust

Question: My aunt has a home that she purchased in 1980. It is now worth $300,000.00 and she wants give it to me to protect it from the cost of nursing home care. Can she just deed it to me? My lawyer is suggesting a trust. What is the difference?

November 30, 2019
Why You Need a Will

While many people assume that their spouse will automatically inherit their assets if they die, this may not be the case. If you die without a Last Will and Testament, your assets will be distributed according to the Laws of Intestacy.

November 29, 2019
Prepaid Funeral

Question: My father is in his eighties and although he is in good health, he would like to plan and pay for his funeral now. Does it make sense for him to do this?

November 23, 2019
Online Wills and Effective Estate Planning

Question: Do I need to seek legal advice for my will or can I make my own using an online service? What things do I need to consider when making up my will? Are online wills valid?

November 6, 2019
Power of Attorney for Married Couples

Married couples often share everything. They can have joint assets including real estate, checking and savings accounts, and brokerage accounts. However, there are assets that cannot be held in joint names.

November 6, 2019
Contesting a Will

Question: My mom had a Will from 10 years ago that left everything equally to me and my siblings. Right before she died, I found out my brother made her sign a new Will that left everything to him. I don’t think she understood what she was signing. What should I do?

October 23, 2019
Power of Attorney as a Married Person

Question: My mother passed away about six months ago. My father recently executed estate planning documents with an Elder Law Attorney. He told me that he named me as his agent under a Power of Attorney. Since I am married, is it necessary for me to have a Power of Attorney or can my wife handle everything if needed?

October 16, 2019
Further Estate Planning after the Death of a Spouse

Losing a spouse is an extremely difficult time in life and handling the administration of their estate can be a stressful experience. When you are ready, it is important to seek the advice of an estate planning and elder law attorney to discuss what needs to be done on behalf of your spouse’s estate and also what planning you need to do for your own estate.

October 11, 2019
Removal of a Fiduciary, It’s Not as Easy as You May Think

If you are the beneficiary of an estate or trust and you think that the fiduciary or person in charge is not meeting their obligations, there are procedures in which they can be removed. Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act “SCPA” § 719 lists several grounds upon which a fiduciary can be removed.

October 7, 2019
What Will You Leave as Your Digital Legacy?

Sixty-Eight percent of Americans use some form of social media. What happens to our photographs, conversation, and videos when we die?

September 25, 2019

Our Blog

Thought Leadership

Estate planning is all about preparation and ensuring that your assets are distributed in line with your wishes. It’s a comfort knowing your loved ones will be cared for just as you intend. However, life’s unpredictability sometimes throws a curveball. What if a beneficiary becomes disabled after you’ve finalized your estate plan?

September 8, 2023 Read Article

Estate planning involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure that your assets are protected and distributed according to your wishes. One element that can add an extra layer of flexibility and protection to your trust is the inclusion of a Trust Protector.

July 14, 2023 Read Article

Everyone knows the statistics – almost 50% of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Second and third marriages fail at an even higher rate.

May 15, 2023 Read Article

Mental illness refers to a wide range of conditions that affect an individual’s mood, thinking, and behavior. These conditions can affect a person’s ability to function in daily life and can vary in severity from mild to severe.

April 3, 2023 Read Article

When the SECURE Act passed in 2019, the biggest impact on estate planning was the elimination of the “lifetime stretch” for most beneficiaries of individual retirement plans (IRAs).

March 10, 2023 Read Article

We use the phrase “estate plan” dozens of times every day. It is useful for us attorneys because it describes a group of documents. Unfortunately, estate planning sounds much fancier than it is.

February 6, 2023 Read Article