Blog

May 18, 2014

Estate planning can force you to make some tough decisions. Having to split beloved, sentimentally-important property between multiple family members can be extremely hard. It is fair to say that no one enjoys facing the prospect of their own death, even if the benefits of doing so VASTLY outweigh the costs.

May 11, 2014

In years past, estate planning used to be simpler. There were fewer different types of possessions and investments, fewer retirement accounts and stock options, fewer rules and regulations, and there was less variety in family units.

May 4, 2014

In a previous post, we mentioned how digital assets are often times handled differently than physical assets, and how their recent advent is liable to change certain aspects of estate planning laws.

April 27, 2014

The pet industry in the United States is a multi-billion dollar one. From places that specialize in breeding pets, to pet food companies, to pet health insurance, millions of dollars are spent every single day taking care of our furry little friends.

April 20, 2014

The entire world is becoming more and more digital. Bookstores are closing and libraries going fairly unused thanks to ebooks, CDs are being replaced by MP3s sold online, digital photography has all but replaced traditional film for 99% of people, etc. While this in and of itself generally brings a lot of conveniences, the transition to digital is bringing quite a number of issues along with it as well.

April 13, 2014

Estate planning and the very notion of wills and trusts can be extremely loaded issues. In many cases, when facing the prospects of a loved one dying and divvying up their belongings between friends and family members, grudges and grievances can turn into legitimate fights and wedges.

April 6, 2014

The love affair between Mick Jagger and L’Wren Scott was quite chaotic, and it can to a very abrupt, very sad end recently, when L’Wren Scott took her own like on March 17th. Scott, who had been a designer and former model, had filed her last will and testament in Manhattan’s Surrogate Court a year prior.

March 30, 2014

In case you haven’t been paying attention, the real estate market in recent years has been tumultuous at best. Market downturns, foreclosure spikes, short-sale increases, builders unable to return to work, brief housing market boosts and declines, etc. It has been a rollercoaster of uncertainty, but there is good news on the horizon.

March 16, 2014

Earlier this month, the entertainment industry was stunned by the news of the tragic and untimely passing of actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Famous for his on-screen acting roles, as well as his successful theater and directing abilities, he will also be known by those close to him for one unfortunate, and avoidable, reason: his estate planning mistakes.

March 9, 2014

News reports from all across the country have been figuratively filled with good economic news. The number of jobs is up, the stock markets are doing well, home builders are getting back to work, and unemployment seems to be dropping.