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RAPHAN LAW
PARTNERS, LLP
• BLOG •

Understanding the Differences Between a Will and a Trust

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

May 12, 2023
2 min

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...

A Bill Ending Medicaid Estate Recovery Has Been Introduced.

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Jun 6, 2022
2 min

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...

Check your Planning for the 'new world.'

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Apr 9, 2020
6 min

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...

An Estate Fight May Be Coming Over Ric Ocasek’s Estate

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Mar 2, 2020
3 min

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...

Q & A: Can the Creator of a Revocable Trust Make Whatever Changes She Wants Without Telling Anyone?

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Aug 22, 2019
1 min

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,...

No will or estate plan? Big problem for you and your heirs

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Aug 27, 2016
4 min

No will or estate plan? Big problem for you and your heirs

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. Financial advisors say that most Americans can benefit from it. Read on and see how you can...

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Dec 26, 2015
1 min

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...

ELDER ABUSE: FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION FOR $797,000

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Jun 29, 2015
2 min

ELDER ABUSE: FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION FOR $797,000

Another case handled by Brian A. Raphan, P.C. was on the Cover Page of the New York Law Journal last week. I was appointed as Special...

Legal DIY Web Sites Are No Match for a Pro, Consumer Reports Concludes

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Dec 12, 2014
2 min

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,...

Heir tight: The dos and don’ts of creating rock-solid trusts

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Aug 5, 2014
2 min

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.

Jun 19, 2014
2 min

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...

The New New York Estate Tax Beware A 164% Marginal Rate

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Apr 4, 2014
3 min

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.

Dec 1, 2013
8 min

8 expensive health insurance mistakes

How to avoid paying too much for the protection you need: 1. Assuming because you’re healthy you don’t need health insurance If you get...

Medicaid Might Make You Pay Them Back Mom’s Nursing Home Costs:

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Nov 15, 2013
2 min

Medicaid Might Make You Pay Them Back Mom’s Nursing Home Costs:

Article By K. Gabriel Heiser Here’s a typical scenario I’ve seen play out: You’ve met with your elder law attorney, you’ve come up with a...

How to Get Guardianship of an Elderly Parent:

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Oct 22, 2013
3 min

How to Get Guardianship of an Elderly Parent:

As an attorney member of a great site for elders called AgingCare.com I come across relevant information for my clients and all seniors...

Plan wisely for your “$300 Million Dollar” estates…

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Oct 8, 2013
9 min

Plan wisely for your “$300 Million Dollar” estates…

Here’s an interesting article from Joanna L. Grossman, a Justia columnist, and Professor of Family law at Hofstra University about the...

Lessen the Tax Burden of your Estate with a Properly Drafted Will

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Jun 26, 2013
2 min

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...

What you need to know about Estate Planning:

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Mar 18, 2013
1 min

What you need to know about Estate Planning:

Estate Planning From CNN/Money: Valuable and easy to understand information to help you get ahead of your Estate Planning needs. Click...

5 reasons you should review your existing Will:

Brian A. Raphan, Esq.

Mar 11, 2013
3 min

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 6, 2013
3 min

Why You Should Create an Estate Plan

Many people think that estate plans are for someone else, not them. But as the following list makes clear, estate planning is for...

RAPHAN LAW
PARTNERSLLP

RAPHAN LAW
PARTNERS, LLP
• BLOG •

Important news for seniors and their families

Contact Us >

RAPHAN LAW PARTNERSLLP

RAPHAN LAW PARTNERS, LLP • BLOG •

Important news for seniors and their families

Contact Us >

RAPHAN LAW
PARTNERSLLP

RAPHAN LAW
PARTNERS, LLP
• BLOG •