Estate Planning

If you’re like most people, you want to pass on some of your wealth to your loved ones when you die. And you’re also probably worried about how much of that wealth will go to the federal government and New York State. A generation-skipping trust (GST) could save your...

Naming a godparent for a child when they’re an infant has long been an important part of the Catholic faith. It’s become something that many parents of other faiths do as well. Sometimes, the naming of a godparent (or multiple godparents) has no religious basis at...

As daily life becomes increasingly digital, the assets we manage online deserve the same level of planning as physical property. From banking accounts to photo storage to cryptocurrency, digital assets can hold financial, practical and emotional value. Without clear...

Fewer people have safe deposit boxes than they did decades ago. Online document storage and home safes have made them less of a necessity. However, if you’re preparing to put your estate plan in place and you continue to store valuables in a safe deposit box, you’ll...

If you have property or financial accounts in more than one country, your estate plan might be more complex than you think. Cross-border estates can create unique challenges that most people never see coming until it is too late. These issues can delay the transfer of...

Charitable giving is a meaningful way to leave a financial legacy and support causes that reflect your values. When thoughtfully incorporated into an estate plan, charitable contributions can also offer financial benefits, including tax advantages for your estate and...

It’s important not to neglect your estate plan after you’ve written it. It’s true that just having a will is better than not having one at all. But an outdated will doesn’t necessarily give your family the instructions and guidance that you want for them at this time....

You need to ensure your estate plan is up to date with changes in your life. One event that could require a major update to your estate plan is a divorce. Here are some of the measures that could require you to take: Update your assets Property division can be a...

You could focus your estate plan only on what happens when you pass away. But it will be far better if you also consider what happens if you become seriously ill or are involved in a nasty accident. If the accident or illness leaves you unable to communicate with...

People have a range of reasons for wanting to disinherit a child. In some cases, it is because they want to encourage them to work hard to forge their own path. In others, it’s because they feel the child would use it to harm themselves, such as if they have a drug...