If nothing else has you calling our office to ensure your Power of Attorney and Power of Attorney for Healthcare documents are in order, this recent article from The Washington Post will do it. It is the story of an 80-year-old retired pilot driving his Ford Mustang convertible into a gas station. Someone thought he […]
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Why Should I Update My Estate Plan?
Estate plans need to be updated every few years or a significant life event like birth, adoption, death, marriage, divorce, relocation, or the sale of a business or real estate. Even after years of a global pandemic, about half of all American adults still don’t have a will. A recent report by Caring.com revealed those […]
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Britney Spears isn’t the only one with a guardianship problem
The news about Britney Spears’ battle with her father Jamie to end his guardianship has garnered its fair share of headlines. But Britney’s high profile guardianship battle is hardly the first and won’t be the last. A recent study published in The Lancet reveals the number of children who have lost parents or caretaking grandparents, […]
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Gov. Cuomo Signs Changes to Power of Attorney Into Law in New York State
After over five years of negotiation between the New York State Bar Association, the legislature passed, and Gov. Cuomo signed a law significantly changing New York State’s Power of Attorney form (” POA”). The new law simplifies and improves the POA form and its use for families and individuals. Kudos to my colleagues in the […]
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What Are The Benefits Of Naming A Corporate Fiduciary?
Many individuals who establish trusts choose to name a close friend or relative as trustee. However, there are many situations where naming a corporate fiduciary is a far better alternative. Acting as a trustee requires that the person have a good background in finance and tax. Failing that, the liability of making poor financial decisions […]
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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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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 […]
Continue reading…Corona Virus Update From Stephen J. Silverberg, Esq.
We are following the news about Coronavirus and a second burst of the traditional flu that’s impacting people in our community. While we don’t believe that anyone should panic, we do want to encourage anyone with older or immunocompromised loved ones to be prepared. The CDC is encouraging everyone to have extra food and supplies on hand, in […]
Continue reading…Can You Trust Your Trust? – Part 1—Credit Shelter Trusts
Many trusts may be no longer necessary, may conflict with current tax laws or no longer meet the original intent of the person establishing the trust because of changes to federal estate tax laws. There may have been changes in family situations or perhaps a beneficiary has suffered a health event, creating a need for […]
Continue reading…What Is a Trustee Responsible For?
If you have been appointed as the trustee of a trust, consider it a vote of confidence in your judgment and trustworthiness. It is also a major responsibility. A trust is a legal arrangement through which one person (or an institution, such as a bank or law firm), called a “trustee,” holds legal title to […]
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