Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Supportive Housing in the Bronx
Complaining about one’s housing situation is as good a remedy as any for the loneliness epidemic; there are so many things to complain about, and the more creatively you do it, the more popular you will be. If you own a house, which no one does in New York, you can complain about making… Read More »
Deed Theft and Other Real Estate Crimes
All business transactions involve a fair amount of bluster, but some careers that involve persuasion have more of a reputation for charlatanism than others. People will easily assume that lawyers and used car salesmen are dishonest, but they tend to take the charm of real estate agents at face value. It helps that real… Read More »
Charitable Trusts
The beauty of estate planning is that you can use your money to benefit anyone you choose. This is true whether the value of your property is modest, you are fabulously wealthy, or anything in between. There is no rule requiring you to make your family the beneficiaries of your will. If you do… Read More »
Common Reasons for Estate Litigation
Probate lawyers often reassure their clients that probate is a routine process, more like filing an income tax return than being a party in a lawsuit. This is true except when it isn’t. Uncomplicated probate cases account for the majority of estates, but the reason that probate exists is to serve as a venue… Read More »
Should Inter Vivos Gifts Be Part of Your Estate Plan?
An inter vivos gift is any gift you make while living. Few people think of gifts as a helpful component of an estate plan, but there are many reasons to consider making them. At Cavallo & Cavallo, our Westchester estate planning lawyers make all estate planning tools available for clients. We can advise on… Read More »
Key Questions with Passing Down a Family Business
You have worked hard to create a successful business and an enviable life for your family. Now is the time to ensure you have created the right business succession plan. At Cavallo & Cavallo, we have worked with clients throughout Westchester County who have built companies in a variety of industries. Marrying our legal… Read More »
Where Should You Store Your Estate Plan?
So you created an estate plan. Congratulations! You are now ahead of the curve. According to a Gallup poll, fewer than 50% of Americans even have a simple will in place, and we imagine even fewer have critical documents like a health care proxy. By creating an estate plan, you can now breathe a… Read More »
When to Seek Legal Help as the Personal Representative
Serving as a personal representative in probate can feel intimidating. Many people agree to serve only to help their family or out of a sense of duty to a beloved relative. They quickly find themselves overwhelmed with questions and cannot find solid answers online. Even worse, other family members are badgering them about why… Read More »
What Are the Trustee’s Fiduciary Duties?
Trusts are popular estate planning tools, but your choice of trustee matters considerably. The beneficiaries will have to deal with the trustee, and those creating a trust need someone who is reliable and trustworthy. New York law also imposes certain duties on trustees. These fiduciary duties are designed to ensure the trustee acts in… Read More »
Top 5 Mistakes with Do-It-Yourself Wills
The internet is overflowing with websites and software programs which promise to create a legal, airtight will. All you need to do is enter some basic information and the program will spit out a ready-to-use will that stands up in court. Sounds easy, right? Actually, there are major risks with any DIY will writing… Read More »