The terms "elder law" and "elder care" have become popular, catchy phrases people now use, to describe an array of planning techniques that are available to people as they age. Very basically, elder law planning involves having the proper legal documents, such as a will, health care proxy, living will and durable power of...
Estate Planning for Snow-Birds
It is not uncommon for New Yorkers to spend a few months in Florida or in some other state, especially during the winter season. These New Yorkers are commonly referred to as “snow-birds” or “dual residents”. If you are a dual resident, there are some relatively easy steps you should take in order to...
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How to Minimize Litigation in the Workplace
There are some very simple steps an employer can take in order to reduce the occurrence of employment-related litigation. Of course, the employee selection process is the first place to start. Employers should not make promises to prospective employees (or even current employees) without first giving thought to the consequences of doing so. Being...
Drafting Consulting Agreements
It is common for businesses, especially those just starting out, to hire consultants on a part-time basis, to provide a range of needed services. If properly done, these consultants will be treated as independent contractors, and not employees, thus saving the employer from a host of legal obligations that would otherwise arise if one...
Conducting a Periodic Review of Your Estate Plan
It is important to review all of one’s estate planning documents, from time to time, to see if the contents of the documents still adequately reflect one’s wishes. At a minimum, your will, health care proxy, living will and durable of power of attorney should be looked at by an experienced attorney, to make...
Estate Planning in a Down Economy
There is no doubt that economic downturns take their toll on everyone. Even if a parent has not been affected directly by a job loss or salary reduction, in many instances, parents are how helping their adult children who have been directly adversely affected. The mere mention of the word “probate” usually engenders a...
Everyday Contracts: Avoiding the Pitfalls
We all get inundated with paper work, both at the office and at home. It seems that everywhere we turn we are being asked to sign contracts for things like telephone systems, office equipment, marketing and advertising services, computer services and office space. The business owner, busy with running the company, is bombarded...
The Importance of Getting Your Affairs in Order
There are a number of relatively easy steps which can be taken in order to simplify your estate plan, thus saving time and money for you and your family.
It is not uncommon to have many separate savings accounts, mutual funds and brokerage accounts, and certificates of deposits held by a variety of institutions....
What to Do Upon the Death of a Loved One
Knowing what to do when a loved one dies can alleviate some of the uncertainty and anxiety that normally follows. Of course, funeral arrangements must be made quickly and family members must be notified. One should order sufficient copies of the death certificate, as there may be a...
Beware the Dangers of Joint Ownership and Beneficiary Designations
It is quite common for a parent to put a child’s name on his or her checking account, savings account, or brokerage account, with the intent of making it easier for the child to access funds in the event of the death or disability of the parent. Sometimes this is also done because a...