Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
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...
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Brian A. Raphan, Esq.
- Jun 6
- 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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...