In this article, you can discover… What to bring to your initial consultation with an estate planning attorney. The types of personal and financial questions the attorney might ask you. How an attorney can help you navigate the emotions of estate planning. What Documents Should I Bring To My First Estate Planning Consultation? For our first consultation, I’ll need… Your Most Recent Bank Statements Your Home Deed and Property Tax Bill Life Insurance Policies Brokerage Accounts IRA, Pension, and Annuities Savings Bonds Income information (including Social Security and Pensions) Health Insurance and Premiums Health Insurance Cards A Family Tree (With Names, Addresses, Dates of Birth, Phone Numbers, and Email Addresses) Copies of Drivers’ Licenses For All In Attendance Copies Of…Read More
When a loved one suddenly needs long-term care, and no plan has been put in place, it's easy to feel like the window for protecting anything has already closed. The truth is, emergency Medicaid planning in New York is a real and viable option for many families. In this article, we’ll walk through… What is qualified as an “emergency” Medicaid situation in New York. The planning options available if you’re facing a last-minute need for nursing home care. The documents that you’ll need to determine emergency Medicaid eligibility. What Qualifies As An "Emergency" Medicaid Situation In New York? An emergency Medicaid situation arises when someone suddenly needs personal care assistance and does not have the ability or resources to pay…Read More
In this article, you can discover… Whether DIY wills are recognized under New York law. Common mistakes people make when attempting to handle estate planning alone. The benefits of using an experienced estate planning attorney to protect your assets and your wishes. What Are DIY Wills In Estate Planning, And Are They Legal In New York? Yes, estate planning documents that you have typed up yourself or downloaded online are valid in New York, so long as they contain all the language and structure required by State law. DIY documents meant to go through probate must also be signed before two witnesses who have also sworn to a self-proving affidavit. Having said that, trying to draw up your own estate…Read More
In this article, you can discover… The purpose and benefits of a Medicaid asset protection trust. The types of assets that can be legally placed into a trust. When to create your Medicaid asset protection trust for the best possible outcomes. What Is A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust, And How Does It Work Under New York Law? Medicaid asset protection trusts help you protect your assets from being counted against Medicaid's eligibility threshold. By placing these assets within the trust, you give up your ability to directly access them for your own benefit, but you also protect your ability to fund long-term care through Medicaid. You also protect these assets for your beneficiaries. To avoid Medicaid's look-back period, the trust…Read More
Planning for the future and all the unexpected things it may bring is one of the most responsible things you can do. This is true regardless of whether you have assets of significant value or have a more modest estate and simply want to ensure your loved ones are taken care of. Yet, unfortunately, so many put off estate and Medicaid planning until it’s too late. Hiring an estate planning lawyer can provide you with invaluable peace of mind and go far in facilitating financial security. Handling everything on your own can be overwhelming and incredibly risky, all at the same time. That’s why the Law Offices of Joanne Schlenk McAvey, PLLC. in Deer Park, NY, is dedicated to helping…Read More
