The cost of long-term care in New York continues to rise, leaving many families wondering how to protect their savings and still get the care they need. Medicaid is one of the few programs that can help cover nursing home and home care costs—but qualifying isn’t automatic. With the proper planning, you...
Protecting Your Home in Your Estate Plan: What You Need to Know
Your home is where memories are made, family gathers, and security is built. It’s also one of the most valuable assets you’ll own in your lifetime, which makes ot essential to protect it with a well-conceived estate plan. Without a plan in place, New Jersey law will decide what happens to...
Understanding the Importance of a Will for Estate Planning
A will is the cornerstone of a solid estate plan. It tells your family what should happen with your property, who will be in charge, and who will care for minor children. Without one, New Jersey’s intestacy laws decide for you, which may not reflect your wishes. A clear will reduces...
Estate Planning for Parents in New York: Naming Guardians and Setting Up Trusts
For parents, creating an estate plan is one of the most meaningful ways to protect their children’s future. While no one likes to imagine a time when they won’t be there, having clear legal instructions ensures your wishes are followed and your children are cared for by the people you trust most.
What Happens to Pets When You Pass Away? Including Them in Your NY Estate Plan
For many of us, pets are more than companions — they’re family. Yet under New York law, pets are considered property. That means they don’t automatically come with care instructions if something happens to you. Without clear legal provisions, their future can be uncertain.
Whether you already have an...
Understanding New York’s Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney (2021 Update and Beyond)
If you’ve looked into estate planning in New York recently, you may have heard about changes to the Power of Attorney (POA) form. In 2021, New York updated its statutory short form POA law, and the new version makes the process easier for individuals and families. But it’s still important to...
How Medicaid Planning Works in NY (And Why You Need to Start Early)
For many families in Staten Island and across New York, the idea of needing long-term care someday feels distant—until suddenly, it isn’t. Whether it’s a loved one showing early signs of memory loss or a parent recovering from a serious fall, long-term care often becomes a concern faster than anyone expects. That’s...
How to Make Sure Your Digital Assets Are Covered in Your NY Estate Plan
Your Instagram account will outlive you. So will your email, your Bitcoin wallet, and that embarrassing Spotify playlist from 2019. When you die, your family gets stuck figuring out what to do with your entire digital life–and trust me, they don't want to guess your Netflix password.
A
General vs. Durable Power of Attorney: What’s the Difference in NY?
Are you considering granting someone the power to act on your behalf? If so, it is crucial that you understand the difference between a general vs. durable power of attorney in New York. In this blog, our Staten Island estate planning and real estate attorneys explain the difference and what you...
Customizing Your Trust to Fit Blended Families and Complex Situations
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Individuals and couples need more than one-size-fits-all estate plans to meet their needs and goals. They need estate plans that meet their specific needs and wishes. Trusts are the perfect estate planning tool for customizing estate plans for blended families and complex situations.