As a New York trust lawyer, I’ve seen how storms in life can come in all shapes and sizes—health crises, divorce, or losing a loved one. And, of course, there are the literal storms: hurricanes, floods, and fires that can damage property and uproot lives. In recent months, you may have seen social media posts...Read More

Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with legal matters while grieving can feel overwhelming. Probate is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s assets, and it often comes with questions and confusion. Understanding how probate works can help you prepare for the future and ensure your wishes—or those of a loved...Read More

Families with a child on the autism spectrum often experience a stark change when that child reaches age 18, a transition sometimes referred to as the “autism cliff.” Many supportive services relied on during childhood, such as specialized education programs, may shift or end altogether in adulthood. This can leave parents concerned about maintaining consistent...Read More

As an estate lawyer, I’ve seen many family businesses flourish across generations. Unfortunately, I’ve also witnessed others falter during the transition, not because of market conditions or competition but due to inadequate succession planning. The hard truth? Sometimes, the biggest threats to your business legacy come from within the family itself. The Question No One...Read More

I've witnessed firsthand how scammers exploit families during their most vulnerable moments. The days and weeks following a loved one's passing should be a time for healing and remembrance – not defending against fraud. Let me share some crucial insights to help protect your family during this sensitive time.Read More

Many of us hesitate to change professional relationships, especially regarding legal matters. I often meet people who feel "tied" to their original estate planning attorney, even when that relationship no longer serves their needs.Read More

One of the most frequent questions I hear is, "Is my estate large enough to justify a living trust?" Behind this question often lies a deeper concern: "Am I making the right choice for my family's future?" Let me share something that might surprise you – the size of your estate is just one small...Read More

You've carefully built your retirement savings over decades, but did you know that once inherited, these accounts could be vulnerable to creditors? As an estate lawyer, I've seen too many families surprised when inherited retirement accounts they thought were protected were exposed to legal claims.Read More

Regarding trusts and taxation, three main types of taxes often come up: income taxes, estate taxes, and generation-skipping taxes. For this discussion, we’ll focus solely on how trusts are taxed for income tax purposes, as this is often the most relevant and frequently misunderstood aspect of trust taxation.Read More

When a child with disabilities receives a personal injury settlement, parents often face a crucial decision: how to manage these funds without jeopardizing essential government benefits. I've helped many families protect their children's financial future through Supplemental Needs trusts, particularly after receiving personal injury settlements.Read More