By: Melissa L. Steinberg, Esq. When does “I’ve got it” quietly turn into “I might need help?” For many adult children, the shift isn’t obvious. It shows up in subtle ways: a missed payment, a confusing phone call, a new “friend” getting unusually involved. At the heart of these situations are questions of “capacity.” Understanding…

By Francesca Dumont According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, only about 31% of Americans have a will or advance directive documents as part of their estate plans. This means that the majority of individuals have not put any formal estate plan in place for their future. Estate planning attorneys serve a dual role…

By: Brian L. Miller, Esq., CELA Planning for long-term care requires more than simply meeting Medicaid’s income and asset limits. New York’s Medicaid rules are complex, and without proper planning, individuals and families can make costly mistakes that delay eligibility and unnecessarily deplete assets. Whether you are planning in advance or facing an immediate need…

By: Joel Krooks, Esq. In estate planning, a fiduciary is someone entrusted with managing another person’s assets and affairs, often serving as an executor, trustee, or power of attorney. Many individuals consider appointing co-fiduciaries—two or more people sharing fiduciary responsibility—to ensure a balance of perspectives and safeguard decision-making. Many clients express a desire to treat…

By Amy C. O’Hara Disinheriting a family member is a sensitive and often emotional topic. It must be handled carefully. Many people assume that they are entirely free to leave their property to whomever they choose. However, New York law has specific rules that protect spouses and restrict the ability to disinherit them. Understanding who…

By Brian L. Miller, Esq., CELA New York State has released several important Medicaid policy updates that will take effect in 2026. These changes affect how transfer penalties are calculated, whether applicants must pursue other benefits, and the financial eligibility standards used in Medicaid budgeting. Here’s a practical overview of what has changed—and why it…

By: Jessica Saio As the holiday season unfolds, we often find ourselves gathering with family, reflecting on the past year, and planning for the future. These moments are a powerful reminder to consider the long-term well-being of our aging family members, relatives with special needs, and other loved ones who may require extra care and…

By Brian L. Miller, CELA® In April of 2020, New York passed legislation requiring individuals applying for Community Medicaid to meet a minimum threshold of assistance or supervision with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The implementation of these new rules was delayed due to the COVID pandemic. Now, more than five years later, the Centers…

By: Melissa L. Steinberg, Esq. Many pitfalls face aging Americans in an increasingly digital world. High rates of senior citizens using online financial platforms have resulted in unprecedented wealth concentrated in so-called “digital assets,” including everything from social media profiles and photographs to cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). However, most Americans do not know how…

By: Jessica Saio When you hear estate planning, you may think it’s only for individuals who are older, wealthier, married, or have a diagnosis. If you’re young, you may think you don’t need estate planning yet. However, estate planning is for everyone, even if you are young, healthy, and just building your wealth. It’s never…