Estate Planning

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the 2023 federal guidelines for how much money the spouses of...

Dear Mr. Di Costanzo:  Why do I need a Will or Trust if all my accounts have designated beneficiaries? Beneficiary designations are...

Dear Mr. Di Costanzo: Can I act under my father’s power of attorney after he dies? One of the most important estate planning documents...

On December 15th, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law legislation substantially amending the New York General Obligations Law, which is...

Congratulations to everyone headed off to college.  My favorite Animal House quote is when Belushi says “seven years of college down the...

Dear Mr. Di Costanzo: Can my spouse access our jointly owned safe deposit box after my death? It is common practice in New York for banks...

Under New York State law, a spouse is considered a legally responsible relative which means that you are financially responsible for the...

An inheritance can be easily dissipated if your child is a spendthrift, has bad habits or is involved with a divorce. A trust can ensure...

As an elder law attorney, I am frequently asked questions, the answers of which have been taken for granted during the ordinary course of...

Traditionally, Thanksgiving is the holiday when the entire family, for better or worse, comes together.  After the melatonin calms...

A new report finds that almost no retirees are making financially optimal decisions about when to take Social Security and are losing out...

An annuity can be a useful tool for long-term care planning, but annuities are also complex financial products that are hard to...

Over the years, I have found that one of the biggest obstacles preventing clients from pulling the trigger on a Medicaid Trust is the...

If properly drafted and executed, certain New York estate planning documents, such as a Last Will and Testament (“Will”) or a trust...

It is never too early for an adult to implement an estate plan. The focus of a young adult, however, is much different than those of more...

If you were to review my client files over the last decade, you might be surprised to learn that estate plans for people younger than...

While the drafting of new estate planning documents generally replaces previous versions, we generally advise our clients to preserve...

You finally did it! You met with an elder law attorney to “put your affairs in order”. Like most people, however, you have done nothing...

Simply transferring your house to your children is the least favorable planning technique in an attorney’s arsenal. The optimal way to...

The Perils and Pitfalls of Owning a Co-op We have all heard a horror story or two about co-op ownership. These stories usually arise out...