Estate Plan

There are specific provisions that can be set up in the context of a will to provide a funded trust for one’s pet. I sure understand that a pet is a loved one that is part of the family. A provision should be included within the context of the will that creates a testamentary pet Read on…

Quite often, estate clients are interested in the creation of a trust, whether revocable or irrevocable, with varied purposes in mind. A trust is what is known as a testamentary substitute, meaning that assets that are titled in the name of a trust will pass outside the purview of a Last Will and Testament. This Read on…

As set forth in the New York Estates, Powers, and Trusts Law (EPTL), an interested party may object to a Last Will and Testament being offered for probate on the basis of undue influence exerted upon the Testator (the person who signed the Will). If it is determined that an interested party or family member Read on…

As with any documents concerning your estate or incapacity, it is often quite prudent to review these papers at regular time intervals, especially when there is a change in life circumstances (i.e. marriage, birth, death, relocation). The Durable Power of Attorney (POA) in New York is no exception. As previously stated in prior blogs, the Read on…

Clients often ask me if they should have more than one agent named on the New York Durable Power of Attorney (POA). The high-level answer to this question is “it depends”. Logistically speaking, it is often easier if only one agent is appointed on the POA. This is because financial institutions may require both agents Read on…

Quite often, one assumes the role of executor (or administrator) for an estate without realizing many of the complexities associated with being appointed a fiduciary of an estate by the Surrogates’ Court. I usually explain to clients that being an executor of an estate is no different than being a CEO for a corporation. You Read on…

Most IRAs, whether traditional or Roth IRAs, play a key role in estate planning. As long as an IRA has a named beneficiary, when the account holder passes away, the beneficiary will receive the proceeds of the IRA by operation of law. All that would need to be provided to the financial institution where the Read on…

The question often arises as to whether an estate plan is necessary if you don’t believe you have an estate. The fact is that most people, whether they realize it or not, actually do have an estate. Real property aside, you may have checking accounts, savings accounts, IRA, pensions, or other financial accounts that may Read on…