While protecting small businesses is the CARES Act’s primary purpose, it also contains provisions that benefit Elder Law and estate planning clients and their families. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) requested an article to explain those benefits to my colleagues in the Elder Law and estate planning bar. The article, Waiver of […]
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The NEW Go-Bag for COVID-19
For years, before the coronavirus pandemic, we advised clients to have important legal and health documents in a file or folder and to tell family members the location of the file so they were available in an emergency. The current pandemic has added a few extra dimensions to what you need to include if a […]
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Governor Cuomo Authorizes Video Conferencing to Witness Legal Documents
In an effort to help New Yorkers who are unable to be physically present to witness the execution of legal documents and to protect the health and safety of the public, Governor Andrew Cuomo has just authorized the use of audio-video technology for witnessing wills, powers of attorney, health care proxies and other estate planning […]
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Spousal Refusal Saved – But Look Back for Homecare Timeframe Shrinks
Good news for New Yorkers regarding Medicaid and Spousal Refusal – the New York State Education and Health Budget Bill is making progress through the New York State legislature. Due to the efforts of the NYS Bar Association Elder Law Section and the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the […]
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Congress Waives Required Minimum Distributions
The CARES Act ( the “Act”) waives the required minimum distribution rules for certain defined contribution plans and IRAs for calendar year 2020. This provision provides relief to individuals otherwise required to withdraw funds from such retirement accounts. This also includes individuals who turned 70 1/2 in 2019 but elected to defer their initial distribution […]
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We Are Now Offering a Complementary Health Care Proxy
One of the most important estate planning documents, after a Will and a Power of Attorney, is the Health Care Proxy. This is the document that allows you to name someone to participate in discussions with your health care providers if you are not able to do so. With so many seniors being concerned about […]
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Documents in New York State May Now Be Signed Remotely – Call for an Appointment
The Law Firm of Stephen J. Silverberg is continuing to provide our clients and their families with all the services they have come to rely on us for. We are using telephone, email and video services to stay in touch with clients and members of our team. Now that the Governor of New York has […]
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Here’s Something You CAN Do – Give Blood
Here’s a suggestion for everyone who is feeling a little overwhelmed and helpless. This morning I got a call from the New York Blood Center. I am a regular blood donor, and they call me routinely. It’s another way to give back. The blood center caller said that they are in urgent need of blood […]
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New York’s “Spousal Refusal” is at Immediate Risk – Call Lawmakers Now Before They Make This Change
The last five governors of New York State have tried twenty eight times to change the practice known as “spousal refusal,” the right of a well spouse to decline to allow their finances to be stripped to the bone so that a sick spouse can qualify for Medicaid. The governor’s proposals to eliminate spousal refusal […]
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A special message to clients and friends from Stephen J. Silverberg, Esq.
Dear Friends: We are all worried about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the danger it poses to our community, locally and globally. Here is what our office is doing to ensure the health and safety of our clients and team members. If you are fine coming to the office, we’d be happy to […]
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