In the most comprehensive study of its kind, scientists at Harvard and the University of Wisconsin determined that within the three month periods after a spouse dies, the odds that the other will pass away during this period is between 30 to 90 percent. As a result, each year, many…
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New York Estate Planning & Elder Law Blog
Making the Most of Estate Planning Opportunities
While it would be nice if it were, estate planning is not a once and done process. Instead, it is important to routinely review the terms of your estate plan to make sure that it is capable of achieving your goals. Reviewing estate planning documents is particularly important nowadays, during…
Utilizing Estate Plan to Establish Your Legacy
Estate planning is vital if you want to leave a lasting legacy to your loved ones. Despite its importance, a survey by Caring.com, however, revealed that the number of adults in the United States than ever before are engaging in estate planning. The study found a 25% decrease in the…
Safe Ways to Spend Assets So You Still Qualify for Medicaid
It’s an unfortunate reality that many people who apply for Medicaid end up discovering that they have too many assets to qualify for the program. Instead of being available to everyone, Medicaid is classified as a “needs-based” program and a successful applicant must be determined to have insufficient assets before…
Post-Election Estate Planning Issues You Should Consider
While some people are still debating the outcome of the 2020 election, it is extremely likely that Joseph R Biden Jr. will be the next President of the United States. As President, Biden and his administration will likely attempt to pass new regulations that remove some estate planning opportunities to…
Protecting Assets With Caregiver Agreements
Family members as caregivers overwhelmingly provide for elderly and disabled loved ones at home. Although a labor of love, taking care of ailing loved ones also has a market value, meaning that caretakers may be paid as a way to protect assets. Through the use of a Caregiver Agreement, also…
Business Succession Planning
While ninety percent of American businesses are family owned, only about thirty percent of them continue to the next generation. Half of those again make it to the third generation. The most common reason: lack of a business succession plan. There are many reasons owners fail to plan. In addition…
The Four Basic Protections of Elder Law Estate Planning
Elder Law Estate Planning is an area of law that helps us maintain control of our lives and assets in four basic areas. First, Elder Law is planning for disability which includes naming people who will make decisions for us if we become incapacitated. You choose the people who will…
2020 Medicaid Rates for Community and Nursing Home Medicaid in New York
Medicaid is state and federal funding that pays for long-term care costs, either at home, called “Community Medicaid,” or in a nursing home, called “Institutional” or “Nursing Home Medicaid.” The Medicaid rates change every year for income and asset requirements to determine eligibility for benefits. Following are the 2020 New…
How the New Rules Under the Secure Act Changes the Way People Will Inherit Money
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019, Pub. L. 116–94, was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2019, as part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (The Secure Act). Future beneficiaries of retirement accounts have different rules than current inheritors. What…