Brooklyn Probate & Estate Administration Law Blog

Helpful ways to talk estate planning with your parents

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto on Friday, December 7, 2018.

During this holiday season as you are visiting with your parents, it may be the right time to speak to them about their estate planning. You may feel this is not the right time of year to bring up the subject, but if not now, when? If you address estate planning with your parents from the standpoint of caring and love, the holiday season can be the perfect time talk about it.

Less than half of the adult population has not yet worked on their estate planning or even prepared a will. Most people think they have time or it is something to worry about later. However, estate planning takes into consideration more than just what happens to a person’s property after they die.

Understanding removal proceedings

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Receiving a Notice to Appear (NTA) in front of an immigration judge can fill you and your family with dread. Though it means you are not involved in the expedited removal process, it is still the beginning of the traditional removal process.

The prospect of removal, commonly called deportation, is a stressful experience for your family. For many immigrants, it is their greatest fear. However, the Notice to Appear is not the end of the road. Understanding the removal proceedings and your rights may help reduce your fear in the face of removal. It may also help you challenge the removal.

Do you need a power of attorney as part of your estate plan?

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto posted in Estate Planning on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.

If you have been thinking about your estate plan lately, you may be wondering the same thing that many other people ask, "do I need a power of attorney?"

Of course, you may also be wondering what can a power of attorney do, is one really needed and when would you need to name them?

Keeping your estate plan up to date

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto posted in Estate Planning on Thursday, September 27, 2018.

When it comes to planning for the future, there is really no such thing as being over-prepared. Creating and maintaining a comprehensive estate plan in New York is an important element of preparing for the future. Once you have established an initial plan, the work is still far from over.

Updating your estate planning documents throughout your life can help avoid a contested probate process and keep your loved ones out of a litigious battle once you are gone. Too many estates end up in a complex, time-consuming probate process simply because they contain irrelevant or out of date information.

ICE agents can't simply come in your home. Know your rights

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto on Friday, August 31, 2018.

These days, if you are not a citizen of this country, your ability to remain in this country could be in jeopardy. Even if you have a green card, you could potentially face deportation under certain circumstances.

The sad fact is that anyone who is not a U.S. citizen isn't safe at this point. This means that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement could come knocking on your door, which can be unnerving. It may help to understand your legal rights.

Can virtual visitation help resolve your custody issues?

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto on Friday, July 13, 2018.

Like most good parents in New York, your main priority when deciding to divorce was your children. You and your spouse agreed to devise a co-parenting plan that provides as many tools as possible for your children to successfully adapt to their new lifestyle. You both agree that they should have as much time with each of you as possible.

The problem is that you won't be living near each other, so visitation schedules will be tricky. You might be interested in learning more about a current trend that many New York parents are implementing to help reduce visitation stress and allow kids to stay in close contact with both parents. There may be legal implications to the system, however, so it's always best to seek experienced guidance before devising a particular plan.

Trusts may keep you eligible for Medicaid later in life

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto on Friday, June 15, 2018.

Many of the baby boomers living here in New York may start to wonder about whether they will need long-term care at some point in the future. If you are one of them, then you may also wonder how to best prepare for the cost of that care.

You may know people who make just enough to get by but too much to qualify for Medicaid. You don't want to find yourself in this position should you reach a time when you need assisted living or nursing home care. Estate planning may help ensure that you have the ability to receive Medicaid and to supplement those benefits as well.

Putting your marriage under a microscope to get a green card

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

You fell in love with a U.S. citizen and vowed to spend the rest of your lives together. The two of you expect your bond to last forever, but you still face one obstacle to continuing your journey. You need to take the trip to your local immigration office here in New York for your marriage interview to determine whether you receive permanent resident status.

Prior to the current upheaval in immigration law, officials looked at marriages between U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens with skepticism. Now, with the increased scrutiny that every immigrant in the country seems to be under, your marriage will end up under a microscope. Strangers who don't know you or your spouse will want to know the most intimate details of your life together.

Have you seriously considered your long-term care needs?

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto posted in blog on Friday, April 13, 2018.

Though you may not consider yourself old enough to think about needing a nursing home one day, the need for long-term care could affect anyone at any age. True, older individuals are more likely to need this type of attention, but really, a sudden illness or injury could cause anyone to find him or herself needing long-term care.

Because the possibility does exist, planning for future care may be in your best interests. By having a plan, you can indicate how and where you want your care to take place, and you can also begin taking steps to ensure that you can afford the necessary care, which can often prove expensive.

What to do with the house when you divorce

On behalf of Polizzotto & Polizzotto posted in blog on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

Many of the decisions related to a divorce involve choosing who gets what. Once you and your spouse agree on child custody arrangements, the next consideration is probably the house. Likely the largest financial investment you and your spouse made together, you may be torn about how to deal with it now that you are splitting up.

There is no universal right or wrong answer although some options may be more viable for your situation than others are. Even after considering some of the most common choices couples make when facing a divorce, you may be able to find a unique solution of your own.