The Risks of Bad Advice
Law Brief ®: Alexis Gruttadauria and Richard Schoenstein Explore The New NYS Power of Attorney Form
Ruder Ware's Elder Law Team Recognizes National Special Needs Law Month - Part 2
Exploring Digitization of Health and Medical Data and Records Part Two
Are your estate planning documents protecting your assets?
Estate planning is not a task that often comes to mind for those who are newlyweds or those parents who are in the midst of raising young children. Either you’re still enjoying the post-wedding excitement and promise of a new...more
It’s always wise to hope for the best but plan for the worst, and, with global rates of dementia on the increase, planning for incapacity should be part of everyone's wealth and succession strategy. Where the assets held...more
In the late 19th century, death was almost fashionable. Funerals were well attended and even rivaled weddings in their splendor and expense. Department stores offered an array of luxury clothing for grieving mothers and...more
Investment Advisers: Elevate your expertise! Join our exclusive April webinars and earn 1 CFP or IAR CE credit per course....more
Divorce is a major life change that affects far more than just your relationship status. One crucial—but often overlooked—aspect that needs immediate attention after a divorce is your estate plan. Failing to update your...more
It was a heartfelt move by a high-profile person. Renowned comedian and former talk-show host Jay Leno took significant steps to ensure the well-being of his wife, Mavis, who has dementia, should he die before her. Unable to...more
Healthcare treatment. Hospital preferences. End-of-life care. Some choices are too important to leave to chance—yet they often are. A recent poll found that only 46% of older adults in the U.S. had documented their...more
Having a fantastic estate plan does not mean much if you do not take steps to implement and maintain it. Just like your car, your estate plan requires maintenance. We have a few tips to help you keep your estate plan up to...more
For newly married couples and those starting a family, estate planning is often thought of as something to address later in life. However, as discussed by Dan Stone, an associate in the Elder Law Practice Group at Mandelbaum...more
The recent passing of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, within days of each other in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home underscores the importance of contingency planning and other factors in...more
A question for you: do you have an estate plan? Of course you do, everyone needs an estate plan. Second question: who is(are) the beneficiary(ies) of your estate plan? Someone you love and trust, I presume. Perhaps a spouse,...more
Estate planning is one of the most important conversations you’ll ever have with your parents. Discussing wills, trusts, and end-of-life wishes can feel uncomfortable, but having a clear plan in place can save your family...more
In a previous blog, I discussed the process of a parent obtaining a guardianship for their special needs child. This blog discusses why it is not a good idea to try to shortcut this process and to simply have your child sign...more
Remember, as a general concept, estate planning allows an individual to plan not only for what happens to his or her estate upon death, but also how his or her affairs are handled during life. There are certain documents that...more
Blending families often introduce unique dynamics. In addition to the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that blended families create, there is also careful planning to consider when creating or updating an estate plan....more
The media is filled with stories of deceased celebrities whose final wishes were either unknown or the subject of dispute. An important lesson: You can retain control of your finances after incapacity and remain in control of...more
Alberta has updated its legislation regarding testamentary and incapacity planning to allow the remote execution of wills, powers of attorney and personal directives, eliminating previous time restrictions. While initially...more
When the Supreme Court made its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, same-sex couples across the country gained the right to marry. But with recent shifts in the legal landscape, such as the overturning of Roe...more
Frank Fritz, star of the History Channel show “American Pickers,” suffered a stroke, became incapacitated, and died on September 30, 2024, at age 60. Before he passed away, his friend, Chris Davis, became his legal guardian....more
Divorce is an emotional and complex process, but one important aspect that often gets overlooked is your estate plan. If you don’t update it, your estranged spouse could still inherit your assets or make crucial financial and...more
In this episode of Trust Us, Danielle Friedman, Herb Fineburg, and Max McCauley tackle the pitfalls of common estate planning advice, highlighting the risks of adding children to bank accounts or deeds purely for convenience....more
Whether you’re a dog lover, a cat person, or a caretaker for another kind of feathered, scaly, or furry friend, pets are an important part of our lives. Yet when individuals are creating their estate plan, their pet’s future...more
For many people, once they resolve their divorce, they are so ready to be done, they put off or forget to wrap up the final loose ends. This can be a costly mistake because many post-divorce action items need to be...more
Dear Jonathan: Based on my research, I feel like I’m pretty well versed in what I am supposed to do when it comes to creating an estate plan for myself. Everything I have read says that I should have a will, powers of...more
Wendy Williams’ ongoing legal battle over her financial conservatorship has reignited public debate on the complexities of incapacity planning. Although she allegedly executed a power of attorney (POA) in favor of her son,...more