Qualifications matter. Just as you wouldn’t call an electrician to fix a plumbing problem, you shouldn’t create estate planning documents yourself. Doing so might subject your estate to costly  litigation by disgruntled heirs. You might also run the risk that the documents don’t do what you actually want.

Wills and trusts must be executed according

Patricia Marcin is the author of a monthly guest column appearing in The Suffolk Times and the Riverhead Times Review.

Since you care about your family, it’s important to choose the right people to help them when doing your estate planning. That’s where an executor or trustee comes in.

Although both manage assets and distribute them to beneficiaries, an

The media is filled with stories of deceased celebrities whose final wishes were either unknown or disputed. An important lesson: You can retain control of your visitation, funeral, and burial (or cremation) plans after death, provided you have a comprehensive estate plan in place. In addition to powers of attorney, health care proxies, and living

Patricia Marcin is the author of a monthly guest column appearing in The Suffolk Times and the Riverhead Times Review.

I am often asked about the difference between wills and revocable trusts. It’s one of the most common estate planning questions I hear, especially here on the North Fork, where many families are thinking about how to

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 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

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.

While we may know better, an 18-year-old is generally considered an adult under New York law. Many of those 18-year-olds will be heading off to college in the next couple of months. Parents’ rights to make decisions for their children change suddenly when they become 18. Parents no longer have complete access to their child’s