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Have you considered everything that can and should be addressed by an estate plan? It is much more than having a Last Will and Testament and providing for the proper distribution of your assets upon your death, although this is an important part of it. A strong estate plan is more comprehensive. It includes putting careful plans in place that help secure a future you want for yourself and your loved ones.

Are you about to buy or sell a home or other property? If so, you may want to start looking for a real estate attorney to assist you with the transaction. This, however, can feel like an overwhelming task in and of itself when you already have a lot to think about in regards to the real estate transaction alone. Here, we have some tips for you to assist you in the process of finding and selecting a real estate attorney near you.

Buying a house is a big undertaking. Not only is it a substantial financial investment, but it is hopefully the place you will make a home for years to come. Because of this, you will likely want to do what you can to help ensure your best interests are protected throughout the process. This is one reason why it can be a good idea to have a

The past year has been one for the books, for sure. The persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives on so many levels. Unfortunately, the social distancing measures, while an integral part of keeping our loved ones safe and healthy, has had some intended consequences. For instance, the elderly population, at risk for feeling isolated even under the best of circumstances, has started feeling more isolated than ever. With friends and family under tight restrictions from visiting, your elder loved one may have been feeling increasingly lonely and isolated during the pandemic.

Q: What are the benefits of hiring a real estate agent or broker?

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in New York or New Jersey, one of the first decisions you will likely make is whether or not to use the services of a real estate agent or broker. State laws and customs differ on the role of a real estate broker in a real estate transaction.

We’ve all heard of sellers going the “for sale by owner “route, which would bypass the broker. Some prospective home buyers also seek available homes to purchase on their own. In both situations, sellers and buyers likely feel they can save some money by cutting out the real estate broker’s commission, which is generally a small percentage of the purchase price.

Q: How is estate planning different for single people?

Very often, estate planning and retirement planning go hand-in-hand. Before your estate planning attorney can customize an estate plan for you, you’ll need to provide a clear picture of your finances – – including assets and liabilities. You also need to know how your property is held as that will impact how it can be transferred to someone else now or after you’re gone.

It has never been easy to find the proper medical setting for an elderly individual you love. Knowing it will be difficult for your relative to live away from home in a communal setting, especially with medical and perhaps mental or psychiatric issues, you naturally want the very best care possible. Add to this the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging the world, having hit nursing homes especially hard, and the task of finding a home for your loved one may seem overwhelming.

At Merlino & Gonzalez, where we frequently have clients from Staten Island and New Jersey facing this challenging situation, we have some advice about how to proceed. We know that once your relative reaches a point at which round the clock care is necessary, very few people have the time or stamina to tend him or her at home, and even fewer can afford to pay for ongoing private nursing care.

Family estrangement is not nearly as rare as you may think. Throughout the centuries, history, literature, and mythology have been dappled with ungrateful or malicious children who become estranged from their parents. Though most people don’t discuss major tears in their own family fabric, Scientific American reports that a recent study of young adults found that 17 percent were estranged from an immediate family member, often a parent.

Q: How can a second marriage impact an estate plan?

Unfortunately, first marriages don’t always last forever. Whether they end in divorce or death, a second (or third) trip down the aisle is very common.

Before taking the plunge again, many see a divorce attorney for a prenuptial agreement to protect their financial future and that of their children from prior marriages. But prenup or not, it’s advisable to meet with a Read more . . .

Q: How can a presidential election impact your estate plan?

To say that politics is a hot topic during these unprecedented times would be an understatement. Regardless of what candidate you supported, presidential election years are good times to review your estate plan--or to make one if you haven’t yet done so.

New York and New Jersey estate planning attorneys and financial advisors keep abreast of candidates’ positions regarding intended tax cuts and/or increases and how those actions may impact their clients’ estate plans if passed.
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Are you jealous and frustrated every time someone mentions a home that sold in a week, knowing the paint on your FOR SALE sign is beginning to flake? Take heart -- the solution to your problem may be simpler than you think. Even when the housing market in your area is problematic, and yes, even during a pandemic that is affecting your area adversely, homes are no doubt being sold. What you have to discover is why yours isn’t one of them.

Though there are variables involved (e.g.
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