For many, turning 18 is a milestone birthday. They can vote, enter the military, or change their name. They are also able to make their own financial and medical decisions. On a person’s 18th birthday, they become a legally emancipated adult. This is true for a disabled individual, too, making the 18th birthday a potentially

If you have children under age 18, you should have trusts for each of them in your will or revocable trust. If minors under 18 years old inherit any assets from you, a guardian of the property (as opposed to a guardian of the person, which you designate in your will) must petition the court

On February 6, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act (MAID), making New York the 13th state to adopt similar legislation along with the District of Columbia. MAID has created a new Article 28-F to the New York Public Health Law, which will be effective August 5, 2026.

What

On December 12, 2025, Governor Hochul signed the New York Electronic Wills Act into law (the “EWA”).[i] Per the terms of the EWA, the legislation takes effect on June 10, 2027 (i.e., 545 days from its enactment), and will be codified as a new Section 3-6.1 et seq. of the New York Estates, Powers and

The federal estate and gift tax exemption changes from year to year, and prior to the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), there was concern that the high exemption amount would “sunset” and be greatly reduced in 2026. Under the OBBB, the combined federal estate and gift tax exemption amount did not sunset

Often, people with long-term medical or cognitive conditions that limit their ability to manage their daily care need in-home assistance. Since home care typically costs between $25 and $35 an hour, without long-term care insurance, home care is unaffordable or financially devastating for many.

Subject to eligibility, New York Community-based Medicaid (Homecare) is a solution.

Your friendly neighborhood branch banker suggests that you change all your accounts to either joint with your kids or to name your kids as beneficiaries on all your accounts (a “pay on death” beneficiary designation). She says this will make the administration of your estate when you die much less complicated and easier for everyone.

New York State’s Medicaid Homecare program pays for in-home personal care services. New York’s program has long been the best in the country.  One underlying policy behind the program was that people should have every opportunity to remain in the community.  A community focus provides two benefits: the social benefit derived from keeping people independent

Notwithstanding the concept of a “youth culture,” we all want the chance to grow old and live life on our terms, which takes thoughtful planning. Elder law planning is as important as having a healthy lifestyle and planning for retirement.

Elder law planning combines traditional estate planning, planning to maintain control of financial and personal

While a 2024 poll indicated New Yorkers’ overwhelming support for New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act for terminally ill people (M.A.I.D), the act had not been approved by the legislature each time it had been presented, despite support from the New York State Bar Association, the American College of Legal Medicine, the New York