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

If you have a loved one with special needs, you know that caring for him or her can, at times, feel totally overwhelming. Presumably, you have retained an attorney to guide you through the special education process in your district. Now it is time to consider meeting with a special needs planning attorney to ensure

May is mental health month, the perfect time to address this important topic. Mental health and substance abuse disorders affect many families. These issues need to be considered in estate planning.

Mental health and substance abuse disorders cannot be “cured,” but they can be managed with proper support. Frequently, “relapse” is a facet of the

Trustee selection for a beneficiary with special needs presents unique challenges. The decision includes practical considerations: the proposed trustee’s geographic proximity to the beneficiary; familiarity with the needs of the beneficiary; and the time, inclination and ability to properly execute the duties that are unique to a trustee administering a trust for a person with

Remember, as a general concept, estate planning allows an individual to plan not only for what happens to his or her estate upon death, but also how his or her affairs are handled during life. There are certain documents that each person should have in order to accomplish these objectives. In Back to Basics: Estate