WHAT NOT TO DO IN YOUR ESTATE PLAN We frequently discuss good estate planning practices in this column, but here are some things that you absolutely should not do when drafting your will or trust: Settle Scores With a limited exception for spouses, no one has the legal right to inherit from you. You…
PRESS RELEASE For more information, contact: Michele Babcock, Managing Partner Jacobowitz and Gubits LLP, 845-764-9656 J&G Attorneys Selected to Present Continuing Education to Dutchess County Board of Realtors WALDEN, N.Y. – Two attorneys at the law firm of Jacobowitz and Gubits, LLP (J&G) were selected to present a continuing education course to the Dutchess County…
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT PAYING FOR NURSING HOME CARE The time period in which an elderly loved one goes to a skilled nursing facility can be one of the most emotionally wrought and challenging experiences for a family. Unfortunately, one of the most stressful aspects of the ordeal is how the nursing home bills are…
What is a Will and Why Does Everyone Need One A Last Will and Testament is a document that states your final wishes. Every Will must be submitted to the Surrogate’s Court after death so the Court can determine if it is valid and enforceable. This is the procedure known as “probate.” Your closest family…
THE VALUE OF REVIEWING YOUR ESTATE PLAN If you have executed a will or trust, you should be commended, as you are already in a more prepared category than most Americans. But you should not let it sit and be forgotten. There Is value in reviewing your estate plan at least every three to five…
NEW POWER OF ATTORNEY RULES TAKING EFFECT IN NEW YORK On June 13, 2021, the law in New York pertaining to powers of attorney will be changing. It is widely felt that the current requirements are cumbersome and unreasonable, making the document “prone to improper execution.” The law revisions are intended to make the document…
YOUR DIGITAL ESTATE PLAN Here in the age of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, most of us have what has come to be called a “digital estate.” This is the collection of user names and passwords we use to access the websites of our banks, brokerage accounts, insurance agencies, vendors, news media, social media and countless…
Seniors’ and Disabled Right to Part Ways With Their Landlord Update! The law was amended in June 2019 to include disabled persons. The New York State Legislature amended Real Property Law §227-a in 2019 to include “individuals with a disability” as additional covered persons under the statute. Under the amended statute, any individuals…
The Hidden Dangers of Gifting to Family Members As people get older and retire, many express an interest in gifting to younger family members and sharing their savings with those who need help. A common misunderstanding about gifting stems from the IRS annual gift exclusion. Many of my clients correctly identify that any individual may…
Community Medicaid: The At-Home Care Option Many Americans swear that they’ll never go to a nursing home. There is a stigma that it is a last resort option for people who are dying. In truth, many nursing facilities defy the stereotypes and provide positive environments where elderly people can live their final years productively with…
