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One of the most important steps you can take for your family is creating a will. A will allows you to decide who inherits your assets, who manages your estate, and in some cases, who cares for your minor children. Without one, you leave these critical decisions up to New…

The conversation usually starts the same way: “We want to leave something meaningful for our kids, but we’re terrified they’ll spend it all within a year.” It’s a conversation rooted in love, not mistrust. Parents today are watching their adult children struggle with housing costs that have tripled, student loans…

Whenever I meet with clients to discuss Medicaid planning, I often hear the same response: “I already have that—you mean Medicare, right?” It’s a common misconception, and understandably so. Both Medicaid and Medicare are government-sponsored health insurance programs, but they serve very different purposes. Knowing the distinction is especially important…

Can a beneficiary be a trustee? This is a common question asked during estate planning and, under New York law, the simple answer is “yes.” While it is possible to let a beneficiary act as trustee, this arrangement can add complexity to the estate planning process and may not be…

Planning for retirement often involves choosing between two main categories, each with its own rules and benefits. In New York, these retirement plans generally fall into the following two categories: defined benefit plans, such as pensions, and defined contribution plans, such as 401(k)s. There are also individual retirement accounts (IRAs)…

A healthcare proxy is a foreign concept to many until they face a circumstance in which such a proxy is necessary. Most people don’t think about who would speak for them if they were too sick or injured to make medical choices. In those situations, doctors often turn to family…