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Understanding the Differences Between a Will and a Trust
Everyone has heard the terms "Will" and “Trust,” but not everyone knows the differences between the two. Both are useful estate planning...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
May 12, 20232 min read
A Bill Ending Medicaid Estate Recovery Has Been Introduced.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) has introduced The Stop Unfair Medicaid Recoveries Act, which would repeal the requirement that states...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jun 6, 20222 min read
Check your Planning for the 'new world.'
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rapidly spread, and the stock market decline and volatility continue, our office has been extremely...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Apr 9, 20206 min read
An Estate Fight May Be Coming Over Ric Ocasek’s Estate
Ric Ocasek's Estate. Under New York law, if her elective rights are upheld, Porizkova would be entitled to one-third of all estate assets...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Mar 2, 20203 min read
Q & A: Can the Creator of a Revocable Trust Make Whatever Changes She Wants Without Telling Anyone?
Q: If the creator of a revocable trust wants to make a beneficiary a co-trustee and make the current successor trustee a beneficiary,...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Aug 22, 20191 min read
It’s Official: Estate Exclusion to Rise to $5.45M in 2016
The IRS has announced that the basic estate tax exclusion amount for the estates of decedents dying during calendar year 2016 will be...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Dec 26, 20151 min read
Legal DIY Web Sites Are No Match for a Pro, Consumer Reports Concludes
After road testing three leading Web sites that help you create your own will, power of attorney, and other important legal documents,...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Dec 12, 20142 min read
Heir tight: The dos and don’ts of creating rock-solid trusts
Good article via Jennifer Woods at Imagine working for decades so that one day you could pass your assets on to your children or...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Aug 5, 20142 min read
Make Sure Your Life Insurance Is Not Taxed at Your Death
Make Sure Your Life Insurance Is Not Taxed at Your Death [via Elder Law Answers] Although your life insurance policy may pass to your...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jun 19, 20142 min read
The New New York Estate Tax Beware A 164% Marginal Rate
Some timely tax news from Forbes staff writer Ashlea Ebeling: It’s no April Fool’s joke. New York state doubled its estate tax exemption...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Apr 4, 20143 min read
Lessen the Tax Burden of your Estate with a Properly Drafted Will
If you plan properly and have your plan reviewed periodically, you may lower or eliminate the tax burden on your estate and leave more to...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Jun 26, 20132 min read
5 reasons you should review your existing Will:
1. Changes in relationships Maybe your relationships with people named in your Will have changed over the years? Maybe your favorite...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Mar 11, 20133 min read
Why everyone needs a Will.
Not everyone has a Will. Here’s why everyone should: If you die without a Will, the people who inherit may not be those you want to get...
Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
Feb 12, 20131 min read
Important news for seniors and their families
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