Pets are members of the family, so it is important to consider how to provide for them in your estate plan just as you would the human family members.
While we may think of pets as part of our family, the law considers them to be property. This means that you cannot leave anything in your will directly to a pet. The following are some steps to take to make sure your pet is protected:
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by Staff
COVID vaccines are starting to roll out to nursing homes across the country, signaling the beginning of the end of the pandemic. Once your loved one has had both doses of the vaccine, you may be able to visit, but precautions are still necessary.
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by Staff
If you are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, you may want to consider withdrawing money from your retirement account while you still can. The special exemption allowing early withdrawals without a penalty ends soon.
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APPLICANTS SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ‘EXTRA TIME’ TO APPLY WHILE FAVORABLE RULES REMAIN IN EFFECT
by Louis Pierro and Frank Hemming III
For many years, New York didn’t have a look-back period for Medicaid home care. That’s right, an applicant could give away all his or her assets and then apply for Medicaid community-based care the following month, without penalty.
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By Pierro, Connor, & Strauss, LLC.
My son and daughter-in-law bought a house with a “granny flat” attached. I gifted them the money for the down payment and in return, I can live in the granny flat until my passing. My daughter-in-law and I do not always get along. How can I protect my right to live on the property should anything happen to my son?
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My parents have a life estate in a home that they gifted to me six years ago. I want to transfer the home to my brother. My parents own a dog that has been deemed dangerous, and I don’t want the liability of owning the home. If we transfer the house, will the Medicaid look-back include this change?
There are two issues here. First, the basic question is whether you have any liability if the dog were to bite and harm someone. The answer is no. It’s their problem.
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Allocating your personal possessions can be one of the most difficult tasks when creating an estate plan. To avoid family feuds after you are gone, it is important to have a plan and make your wishes clear.
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By Pierro, Connor, & Strauss, LLC.
While the internet makes our lives more convenient, it also adds new complications. For example, what happens to all our online data and assets if we become disabled or pass away?
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Take yourself back to December 31, 2019, there is excitement and hope throughout the world for the upcoming year. The possibilities seem endless. There are investments to make, businesses to expand and goals to conquer. Nothing can stop your pursuit of achievement…
Well, almost nothing. Suddenly, in the early months of 2020, we are faced with the challenges of COVID-19 and the world is forever changed. Governors across the country issued executive orders mandating all nonessential businesses to close in-office personnel functions and banning all nonessential gatherings of individuals.
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Many people have homes in two states. Legally, you do not need separate estate planning documents for each state, but it may make sense from a practical perspective.
The Constitution of the United States requires that states give “full faith and credit” to the laws of other states. This means that your will, trust, durable power of attorney, and health care proxy executed in New York (Just to pick one state) should be honored in the state where you have a second home. That’s the law.