Whether you drive, walk near traffic or ride a bike on a regular basis, it is imperative to watch out for the risk of a traffic collision. Sadly, many victims die in these accidents, which take place for a number of different reasons, from people who operate a vehicle...
Planning for the potential of estate taxes
Past posts on this blog touched upon the fact that New York residents fact the potential of both state and federal estate taxes. Knowing this might dishearten those engaged in the estate planning process, with them assuming that there is nothing they can do to avoid...
Alcohol: It affects you at every level
You probably know that you cannot legally drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. However, did you know that you could be at risk of crashing and still be impaired below that level? Even a small amount of alcohol could impact you by impairing the...
How should you prepare an estate plan for a special needs child?
Every family has unique estate planning needs and yours is no different. If you are the parent of a special needs child, you have to consider his or her needs when drawing your estate plan. According to Fidelity, special needs children may remain dependent on others...
Is it time to update your estate plan?
Your estate plan is a constantly evolving piece of legal work. You do not just create an estate plan and allow it to sit there, as-is. You want it to reflect your most current life circumstances at any given point in time. To this end, it is important to understand...
How can I create curb appeal for my home?
Many homes sell mainly because they have good curb appeal. People are visual creatures, and they respond well to things that look nice. According to the National Association of Realtors, you can draw in more potential buyers, increase your chances of getting a buyer...
Driving drugged: You may already be guilty by mistake
You’d never get behind the wheel after drinking, and you don’t touch illegal drugs. How, then, could you be guilty of drugged driving? Easily enough: Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs can and do cause impaired functioning in many people. Some may not...
The New York health care proxy: What is it, and do you need one?
When you begin your estate planning tasks, you will likely hear or see terminology that is not 100% clear to you. For example, do you know what the term health care proxy means? Most Mount Morris, New York, residents do not have a firm grasp of this term and how such...
Does your medical condition qualify you for SSDI benefits?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an earned benefit. Every paycheck that you have ever received has included withholdings paid to Social Security on your behalf. Most people will only need to draw against those benefits when they reach retirement age....
How a DWI can impact your ability to enter Canada
Recently, we discussed some of the potential consequences of a DWI conviction in New York, such a jail time, fines, and loss of your driver’s license. Here’s another one that could impact your life and career for a long time: You may not be able to travel to Canada...