The holiday season is a popular time for charitable giving. It is helpful for those considering gifts–particular sizeable donations–to properly think through all of the tax and legal implications. There are smart ways to make contributions and clumsy ways. As always, an estate planning lawyer or similar professional can explain…
The U.S. Supreme Court made headlines on Friday when it agreed to hear two cases which may have significant implications on the rights for same-sex couples in New York and throughout the country. The stage is now set for a few months of speculation and commentary on possible outcomes before…
One of the biggest movies set to debut this holiday season is “The Hobbit,” based on the well-known fantasy novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. This film follows in the footsteps of the very successful “Lord of the Rings” movies made over the last decade and a half. However, the release of…
A perennial hot-button topic in estate planning and the creation of inheritance documents involves the passing on of personal values. Of course, the majority of work related to estate plans invovles physical assets: who gets the house, the bank accounts, the stocks, the insurance, the family china, and more. Making…
Many lessons can be taken from the beating that our state took in recent weeks as a result of Hurricane Sandy, not least of which is the resiliency of New Yorkers. However, as we piece things back together, some advocates are reminding community members of one overlooked victim of lack…
The popularity of social media sites has led to an outburst in use of the word “viral.” “Viral” videos and articles are frequently pointed to as a product of the mega-popularity of sites like Facebook and Twitter. This just refers to stories and movies/clips that spread very quickly from person…
The uncertainty about whether or not the United States Supreme Court will intervene and decide the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act or determine whether the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution requires marriage equality will soon be over. That is because, as discussed in a recent, helpful…
DNA Info in New York shared an interesting story on the intersection of a custody dispute, estate planning, and a one billion trust fund waiting in the wings. The tale is a reminder of how money and the emotions following a death are a breeding ground for feuding and conflict…
Charitable giving is a critical part of many estate plans and not just for the super-wealthy. Many New Yorkers have worked hard their entire lives to ensure the financial well-being of their families. Besides passing on assets to loved ones, many local residents consider it an incredibly important testament to…
As the end of the year gets closer, and possible increases in the federal estate tax become more likely, many are coming up with various ways to take advantage of the current favorable rates. For exampe, a story at the National Review this week suggested that a move by several…