One issue that resonates with many parents is the loss of control over decisions involving their children once they turn 18. While we may know better, an 18-year-old is generally considered an adult under New York law.

Many are just beginning their journey into adulthood, whether they are starting advanced training, heading off

If you have trust; or don’t have children; or it’s just you, your spouse and your kids; you might think you don’t need a will, but it depends on the nature of your assets and how you want them handled when you’re gone.

A last will and testament directs your executor how and to whom

Medicaid is a jointly funded federal and state program that provides health insurance coverage, including long term care services, to eligible New Jersey residents. Although every state receives federal funding and must comply with federal guidelines, each state administers its own program and establishes its own eligibility requirements. As a result, Medicaid eligibility rules, including

Whether you need a will is not as simple to answer as you may think. And if you do need one, should you save money by doing it yourself through an online program? Saving money now could prove costly later.

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I am often asked about the difference between wills and revocable trusts, and whether one or the other, or both, are necessary. Wills and revocable trusts basically do the same thing — they are documents in which you give away your assets to your beneficiaries upon your death. Both can be revoked and changed whenever

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