News & Articles

Serving as an executor comes with important legal responsibilities. Learn what executors do in New York, what to expect during estate administration, and how experienced legal guidance can help simplify the process.

In New York, Medicaid can seek repayment from a person's estate after they pass away, but it cannot automatically take the family home. Here's a plain-English look at how estate recovery works, which properties are protected, and the planning steps that help families keep what matters most.

A life estate deed and an irrevocable trust can both help protect assets and simplify the transfer of property, but they serve different purposes. Explore the key differences, benefits, and considerations to help determine which estate planning strategy may be right for you and your family.

Pets are family, but under New York law they are considered property. Learn how wills and pet trusts can help ensure your pets are cared for by the right people and provided for according to your wishes if something happens to you.

From email accounts and social media profiles to cryptocurrency and cloud storage, your digital assets deserve the same planning as your physical property. Learn how proper estate planning can help protect your online legacy and give your loved ones the authority they need when it matters most.

Many people assume their family will know what to do when they're gone, but without a Will, important decisions can be left to the courts. From disputes over assets and guardianship of children to tax consequences and funeral arrangements, discover five common problems that proper estate planning can help prevent.

Most landlords don’t allow tenants to have pets, of any kind, in rental units. However, a “no pet policy” may have to be suspended if a current or prospective tenant has disabilities. The federal Fair Housing Act (the “FHA”) prevents discrimination in housing related matters because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. The FHA applies to a variety of housing transactions such as rentals, sales, mortgages, and homeowner’s associations. The FHA’s goal is to ensure that all persons receive equal housing opportunity.

In New York, a contract is formed when there is an offer, acceptance of an offer, and consideration exchanged between the parties. Usually verbal agreements are translated to a written document that outlines the exact expectations of each person entering into the agreement. The intention of a contract is that people can negotiate, discuss, and set forth exact rules to govern future disputes.

Landlord-tenant relationships are governed by a patchwork of state and federal laws, including statutes specifying items that must be included in residential lease agreements, along with items that are void if included.1 Due to the makeshift structure of laws governing residential leases, it can be difficult to know whether a lease complies with all applicable laws. Landlords, are your leases up to snuff? Below is an overview of items that must be included in a residential lease, or that would be trumped by statute if the terms of the lease are conflicting.2