Buffalo Estate Planning Blog
Protecting home equity during New York Chapter 7 bankruptcy
When your debt spirals out of control, many parts of your life may wind up affected by your current state of financial hardship. People often struggle to balance their budget or meet all of their standard living costs, ranging from the need to buy groceries to the...
Why do I need a power of attorney for finances?
When you’re alert, healthy and able to make your own decisions, you won’t have many concerns about your ability to manage your own finances. Conversely, if you’re incapacitated for any reason, such as an injury or illness, you won’t be able to do this. And that’s why...
These estate planning mistakes could sneak up on you
When it comes to estate planning, there’s no questioning the fact that you want to make accurate and sound decisions that will benefit you and your family in the future. The problem with this is that there is nothing easy about the estate planning process. Here are...
When does a New York estate need to pass through probate?
If you will be the executor of an estate or if you are one of the beneficiaries who is waiting for the distribution of assets from the estate, you might wonder whether the estate needs to pass through the probate court in New York as part of the estate administration...
Will a fence or boundary shrub lead to adverse possession claims?
When your neighbor plants a shrub right on the property line or builds a fence that encroaches on your property, you may feel angry and also worried. The anger you feel likely comes from the disrespect implicit in planting or building so close to your property line....
First-time homebuyers: Look out for these 3 big mistakes
Buying your first home is a huge milestone. You’ve most likely saved up a lot of money, and have been excitedly checking postings for a while. And as spring approaches, you may be ready to seriously commit. You’ve worked hard for this. It can be tempting to jump at...
What are your estate planning goals?
The first time you consider creating an estate plan it’s easy to lose track of your goals. Instead, you focus on one thing and one thing only: Putting the process in the past as quickly as possible. If you’re taking the time to create an estate plan, you might as well...
What are the common reasons for people to challenge a last will?
Despite someone taking the time and making the effort to create an estate plan or a last will, the legacy they plan may wind up undermined by challenges brought through probate court, often by family members, heirs or beneficiaries. Some people challenge estate plans...
Wills and trusts are vital, and they work best when used together
A trust is a wonderful way to handle your assets when you’re no longer around to do it yourself. But they’re only one piece of a larger puzzle, and you’d benefit from confiding in an old estate planning standard. Only 44% of Americans have a will that will handle...
Why work with an attorney while buying a home?
When you realized that you were tired of renting and that you'd save money by buying your own home, you started looking into what you needed to do to find the right property for you. You reached out to local real estate agents, and you have had a lot of help finding...