Blog

When creating a trust, you face a critical decision: Do you want your beneficiaries to receive guaranteed checks, or do you want your trustee to decide when and if they get paid? The latter is called discretionary authority, and while it sounds strict, it’s often the kindest way to protect…

We often think of estate planning as something for traditional nuclear families, but in 2026, love and family look different for everyone. Relationships are complex, beautiful, and sometimes messy. The law, however, tends to be rigid. It includes a default plan, but that default rarely reflects modern relationships. Here’s how…

One of the most persistent myths in estate planning is that living trusts are reserved for the ultra-wealthy. The reality? If you own a home or want to keep your family out of court, you likely have enough to justify a trust. In fact, middle-class families often need a Trust…

Most of us instinctively picture spouses, children, or other close relatives when we think about who will inherit our things. Yet many clients come to our office wanting a friend, sometimes their closest companion, to receive part or even all of their estate. That wish is perfectly valid, but it…

In my years as a New York probate attorney, I’ve seen an alarming trend: scammers targeting grieving families with fake debt collection calls. These predators scan obituaries and public records, then approach family members claiming the deceased owed them money.  Today, I want to warn you about these schemes and…

Estate taxes are often misunderstood, yet they play a significant role in estate planning—especially for New Yorkers. These taxes are imposed by the Federal Government and some states when a person passes away. They are based on the total value of the person’s estate at the time of death. If…