You may have heard that you should avoid probate but many people in Williamsville are unfamiliar with the estate planning options that would achieve this goal. If a person only has a will when they pass or if they have no estate plan at all, their estate will need to...
Estate Planning And Administration
A lawyer can be an asset and ally during probate process
Probate is a word that conjures both confusion and concern in New York residents. Though most individuals understand that probate has to do with what happens to a person's possessions after they die, many individuals do not have a deeper understanding beyond that...
Consider an incentive trust to motivate your loved ones
Sound estate planning gives you a lot of control over your assets long after your gone. But estate planning isn’t just limited to who receives your assets. You can also utilize estate planning tools to try to control the behavior of your loved ones or motivate them...
Special needs trust can help protect your parent’s assets
Your parents took care of you when you were young, and now as they age you find yourself in a position where you need to take care of them. Sometimes this can be done at home for a while, but for many in Williamsville, the best choice is to put your elderly parent in...
Should I choose a relative or a professional to serve as trustee?
Trusts are a popular estate planning vehicle for many in New York. They allow a person to pass their assets on to their heirs, with contingencies if they wish. In addition, trusts remain private and assets in a trust bypass probate -- an otherwise costly,...
Intestate succession in New York
Intestate succession is not a legal concept that many New Yorkers are familiar with. It refers to the system of beneficiaries that state law recognizes when a person dies without a valid will. If an individual owns property or assets at the time of their death and...
Upcoming election sparks estate planning updates
For many New Yorkers, creating an estate plan does not necessarily mean the process is completed once they have prepared the documents. Updating the plan to address life changes is also important. These changes can be within the family or based on outside...
How small estates impact estate planning and probate in New York
People in New York State who are thinking about the future and gauging the importance of estate planning might have preconceived notions about it. The news is rife with people who had significant assets and left an estate plan – a will or trust – that heirs or...
Digital assets should not be missed when it comes to estate planning
Many Buffalo area residents have taken the time to complete their estate plan. They understand that having an estate plan in place is important in order to preserve a person’s assets, communicate their wishes and designate powers of attorney. In addition to these...
What is probate, and what does the process entail?
Probate is a term – more specifically a legal process – that many people don’t fully understand until they confront it up close and personally. That is, probate’s details and particulars often don’t become clear for affected individuals...

