Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How Holiday Gift Giving Fits in With Medicaid Planning
The goal of Medicaid planning is to help offset the exorbitant costs of long term home based or nursing home care. If you are over 65 or become disabled, Medicaid will cover these expenses, provided you meet certain state and federal requirements. As an entitlement program, your income is a factor and falling above… Read More »
Protecting Important People in Your Life With a Trust
Having a valid will in place is key to providing an inventory of property and assets and can help ensure your loved ones are provided for in the event of the unexpected. However, including a trust in your estate planning documents allows you more control in exactly how these assets are distributed. By specifying… Read More »
How to Approach Sensitive Estate Planning Topics Over the Holidays
The holidays are a time for happy reunions with family members you may not see on a regular basis. As a result, it can also be the perfect time of year to bring up sensitive topics you may be reluctant to discuss over the phone or during other visits. The last thing on your… Read More »
Keep Your Home – and the People in it – Safe Over Thanksgiving
The holidays are fast approaching, with Thanksgiving right around the corner. A time for lavish feasts and get-togethers with family and friends, your home often plays a starring role in these festivities. As one of your most valuable investments, you want to protect it against costly damages while protecting yourself against potential liability. As… Read More »
Protect Yourself Against Liability: Fall Home Tips
Your home represents a major investment of both time and money. Applying asset protection strategies to limit liability is a smart way to protect yourself while keeping your insurance payments low. As experienced New York real estate attorneys, we know that while it is common for homeowners to complete certain upkeep tasks in the… Read More »
What Happens if You Die Without a Will?
When Aretha Franklin passed in August 2018, the entire world mourned the passing of the Queen of Soul. Over the course of her decades spanning career, she amassed more than $80 million in assets. However, in the weeks following it was reported that she died without a will. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon and… Read More »
Protect Your Property and Assets In the Event of Storms
As hurricane Florence batters the Southeast coast and additional storms swirl in the Atlantic, it serves as a reminder for those of us further north to take the appropriate steps in securing our own homes and property. As hurricane Sandy in 2012 showed, adverse weather during hurricane season is just as likely to impact… Read More »
Is the Real Estate Market in Trouble? Warning Signs and Ways to Protect Yourself
Property in general is a smart investment and real estate holdings are likely to be among your biggest assets. However, the housing market crisis that began roughly a decade ago continues to leave both buyers and sellers haunted, and there has been rumored speculation since that it is something that will happen again. To… Read More »
Four Common Mistakes In Estate Planning
Estate planning helps to protect the property and assets you have worked hard to accumulate over the course of your life. It also ensures your wishes are conveyed and your family is provided for in the event of the unexpected. However, when taking the first steps in creating an estate plan or making regular… Read More »
Four Steps Toward Building Financial Security
Worrying about money and about how you will provide for yourself and your family, now and in the years to come, can take a toll on both your physical and emotional health. As experienced New York estate planning and asset protection attorneys, we know how employment problems and unexpected injuries or illnesses can easily… Read More »