Estate Planning and Administration

        You are going to leave a legacy when you pass away. This is not a happy thought, I know. None of us wants to think about our mortality. Leaving a legacy is not only for the wealthy. In fact, with some basic planning, you can be sure that you leave a legacy that is fitting – is what you want.

        It’s not all about money.

        It’s not all about land, houses and things.

        It’s not all about creating scholarships, or leaving gifts to your church or synagogue.

        It’s about making sure that the things that matter to you the […]

That person you appoint as your attorney in fact, frequently refer to as your “power of attorney,” is someone you trust.  So how much should you rely on them for their advice?  How much should you tell them about your finances?

These questions come up regularly, and there is no simple answer.

Suppose Aunt Gertrude appoints her niece Milly as her attorney in fact through her power of attorney document.  If Gertrude is slower than she used to be, and a little bit forgetful, but never tells Milly a thing about her bank accounts, Milly won’t be much help to her aunt. […]

When a loved one passes away, there are so many things to attend to. There is the emotional loss, which is first and foremost. Next,  practical considerations …wrapping up final expenses, closing bank accounts, stopping the newspaper delivery, and on and on.

When you visit an attorney’s office to begin the process of carrying out your loved-one’s wishes and opening an estate, you are likely not at your best. You are dealing with a myriad of emotions and sea of details. Your attorney should help you through this initial stage in opening the estate – but should not overwhelm you with […]

People often can be heard saying “What’s the use,” whether it is out of frustration or anger. It may be out of exhaustion or desperation. “What’s the use?” It’s more of an exclamation than a question. When it comes to planning your estate, “What’s the use” has no place.

“Why? What’s the use? My family will get everything anyway, right? “

Maybe. Maybe not. It depends.

“What’s the use? The Government will just take it all when I die. . .why bother with planning?”

The Government can certainly be one of your biggest beneficiaries if you don’t plan well. Just look at the Onasis […]