Once you have a child, you’ve got a bundle of joy—and a lifelong commitment to caring for the child, sometimes even after they reach adulthood. What would happen if something happened to you and your partner? To be sure your child or children are taken care of, you’ll...
Estate Planning Blog
Using a Trust to Protect Your Minor Children
As parents, we all want to ensure that our children are well cared for and protected, both now and in the future. One way to provide this security is by using a trust. While a trust may seem like a complex and intimidating legal concept, it can be a powerful tool for...
Revocable Living Trust can Help with Planning for Incapacity
Planning and preparing for the unexpected is a crucial aspect often overlooked. A revocable trust is a critical component of a comprehensive estate plan, and its significance extends beyond just asset distribution on death. While a will is an essential estate...
What if Your Life Insurance Beneficiary Predeceases You?
Losing a life insurance beneficiary can be a difficult situation to navigate. This blog will explore what happens when your beneficiary passes away before you and how it can affect your life insurance policy. Losing a loved one is never easy, and it can be even more...
Why are Contingent Beneficiaries Important?
When crafting an estate plan, naming primary beneficiaries is critical in ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. However, what happens if your primary beneficiaries predecease you or cannot inherit for some reason? This is where contingent...
What is the Best Estate Plan to Keep Family from Killing Each Other?
Families are not unusual; a fight over an inheritance leads to a prolonged legal battle. Even Elvis, the king of Rock and Roll, was unscathed by an estate controversy. The Ascent's recent article, "How to Create a Will That Keeps Your Family From Fighting," provides...
Factors to Consider when Leaving your Family Home to your Children
The family home is a testament to cherished memories, echoing with laughter, love, and shared experiences. As the custodian of this precious legacy, you might consider how to pass the family home to your children while safeguarding its significance and value. In this...
Which is better for your estate plan a will-based plan or a trust-based plan?
Estate planning is crucial for managing and distributing your assets after death. But which plan is best for you: a will-based or a will-and-revocable trust-based estate plan? In New York state, you typically have two options: a will-only plan or a will and revocable...
Should You Put Your Child’s Name on the Deed to Your House?
As parents, we are constantly making decisions that impact the well-being and future of our children. One such decision revolves around whether or not to include our child's name on the deed to our home. This choice can have significant legal and financial...
What are the Main Reasons for Using a Trust?
Estate planning is crucial in ensuring the smooth transfer of your assets and property to your loved ones after you pass away. While various tools and strategies are available, a trust can offer unique advantages that make it an attractive option for many individuals....