2022Mar
0

NEW YORK STATE IS HOLDING OVER $17 BILLION IN UNCLAIMED FUNDS

According to recent statistics, there is over $17 billion dollars in unclaimed funds that are being held by New York State. In the first three months of 2022 alone, the state has returned over $90,620,070. The amounts received by individuals varied, but over 59% of the claims were for over $100.  Odds are, someone you…

2021Jun
0

THE NEW POWER OF ATTORNEY: WHAT TO KNOW

New York State recently enacted legislation simplifying the form of Power of Attorney (“POA”), which law went into effect June 13, 2021.  After such date, the new form of POA is required to be used. WHAT IS A POWER OF ATTORNEY? As you may know, a POA is a legal document by which a person…

2020Feb
0

6 ESTATE PLANNING MISTAKES AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Estate planning is a process that allows you to state how you want your personal and financial assets to be distributed at your death and plan for incapacity. By being proactive, you have control instead of other people or legal rules making those decisions. As you begin (or update) your own estate planning, here are…

2019Sep
0

4 REASONS YOU SHOULDN’T USE DOWNLOADABLE ESTATE PLANNING FORMS

Google words like “wills,” “trusts,” “power of attorney,” and other estate planning terms and you will find links to websites offering free or low-cost forms available for download. These sites tell you that you can DIY your own estate planning documents; why hire an attorney when you can prepare your own documents and save money?…

2019Jul
0

WHAT IS LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING AND WHY DO I NEED TO THINK ABOUT IT?

The goal of long-term care planning is to ensure individuals can get the proper care and support they need when they need it. While long-term care can involve various services, given in different settings, the associated costs are often a significant financial burden on families. As a result, the best time to think about your…

2018Oct
0

WHY YOU MUST NAME A BENEFICIARY FOR YOUR IRA FOR AN EFFECTIVE ESTATE PLAN

When was the last time you checked your IRA accounts to see who you named as beneficiary? Certain types of accounts and insurance policies, which provide for a beneficiary designation, such as 401(k) plans, IRA accounts, life insurance policies and bank and brokerage accounts are not generally part of your probate estate when you die….

2018Aug
0

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY WHEN FACING A HEALTH CARE CRISIS

No one wants to think about what would happen if they or a family member suddenly became ill or was seriously injured. Unfortunately, when we don’t plan for such possibilities, it can cost us in terms of loss of control over medical decisions, added stress and significant financial and legal problems. There are 3 important…