Articles Posted in Estate Planning

Living Wills vs. Last Will & Testaments: What You Need to Know As New Jersey estate planning attorneys, we understand the importance of creating a comprehensive plan that covers various aspects of your life. Two critical components of a well-rounded estate plan are a living will and a last will and testament. These legal documents…

Introduction Medicaid estate recovery is a federally mandated program that allows states to recoup some of the costs of Medicaid benefits paid on behalf of a recipient, particularly for long-term care services. Despite the importance of this program, it is often overlooked by individuals when planning their estate. Hence, it is important to understand the…

Clients have many reasons for revoking a will. Things change; you may experience a change in your financial situation, your family dynamic, or you may even change your mind. Due to such changes, your will may no longer reflect an accurate snapshot of your life or your wishes. At this point, a New York estate…

A medical power of attorney (MPOA) is a vital legal document that allows you to appoint a trusted individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. Whether you are facing a temporary medical crisis or a long-term incapacity, having an MPOA in place can provide you with peace…

Navigating the complex world of death taxes can be overwhelming. As a New York and New Jersey attorney, I’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you understand when you may owe these taxes and how to plan your estate accordingly. What are Death Taxes? Death taxes, also known as estate taxes or inheritance taxes, are…

One of the toughest decisions a prudent parent has to make is choosing a guardian for minor children in the unfortunate event of a premature death. In the worst case scenario, this decision is left to a judge who may choose a guardian whom neither the parents nor the children would want. Fortunately, your experienced…

The subject of death is often times treated as a taboo in today’s society, and some people would go to great lengths to avoid talking about it. But it is very important that we are ready and prepared for it, even if not talking about the subject directly. That’s because, when the time finally comes,…

One of the first choices a Will’s author has to make is deciding who will serve as their Executor. An Executor, or Personal Representative, is a trusted individual who is responsible for fulfilling the provisions of the decedent’s will. With this great power comes a great responsibility to tie up the decedent’s loose ends such…

Any parent of a special-needs child knows how useful government benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or housing assistance could be in contributing to treatment and care costs. In order to qualify for these benefits, a parent must verify their income is below a certain amount by passing a stringent assets test. It is…

Former President John F. Kennedy said: “Change is the law of life”. The main reason a Testator or Testatrix decides to revoke a will is because their economic or social situation changes. This means the Will no longer accurately depicts the author’s final wishes. If this occurs, our seasoned estate planning attorney may recommend revoking…