Will The Stimulus Check Affect Your Government Benefits?
By Brian L. Miller, Esq., Littman Krooks With the $1.9 trillion stimulus package that was recently signed into law, many Americans are scheduled to receive a $1,400 stimulus check in the coming weeks. This has caused people with disabilities wondering if the stimulus payment will impact their eligibility for government benefits. Government benefits such as…
Beneficiary Designations for Retirement Accounts
By: Bernard A. Krooks, Certified Elder Law Attorney Estate planning is so much more than filling in the blanks on a few forms that you have printed out from the internet. In addition to having the proper documents and fiduciaries, you need to make sure that the estate plan is coordinated so that your beneficiary…
Virtual or Hybrid Learning for Students with Disabilities
By Littman Krooks As we now approach a full year of either virtual or hybrid learning, many parents and students are even more exhausted and overwhelmed than ever. As the future is still uncertain, many parents still have questions and concerns on their child’s progress and access to services. Here are some common questions and…
A Primer on Estate Tax Returns
When a resident of New York dies with a will in place, the nominated executor must file a petition to probate the will in the Surrogate’s Court to obtain authority to administer the decedent’s estate. If a resident of New York dies without leaving a proper will, a petition must be filed in the Surrogate’s…
The Pitfalls of an Online Will
By Joel Krooks, Esq., Littman Krooks Many companies currently provide people with the opportunity to create a Last Will and Testament and other various legal documents online. These online Wills have various issues that can cause your estate to not be distributed as intended, can create excessive legal fees during the estate administration, and make…
The White House Poet Laureate Inspires All Who Have Unique Learning Needs
By Littman Krooks In our special education advocacy department, we receive inspiration from each of our students. Many indeed use their unique learning and emotional characteristics to reach unexpected heights. Each day, we work with parents with goal of helping students to know their strengths and weaknesses so they can flourish and learn to use…
Supported Decision-Making Promises Greater Autonomy for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
By Sandi Rosenbaum, Special Education/Special Needs Advocate Parents must make important decisions when their child with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD) turns 18 and legally becomes an adult. Should parents apply for guardianship or consider less restrictive measures such as Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and/or have the young adult execute advance directives such as power…
The Impact of Blended Families on Estate Planning and Litigation
Comprehensive estate planning is essential for every adult. Your plan should address the needs of all your loved ones at your death, regardless of whether you are single, married or divorced. It is crucial however, to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney if you belong to a blended family. A blended family is one…
Plan Now to Minimize Impact of Estate and Gift Taxes
By Amy C. O’Hara, CELA It is essential for families with significant wealth to be aware of estate and gift tax limits. An important part of estate planning is making sure that as much of your wealth as possible goes to your heirs rather than to pay taxes. The good news is that both the…
Changes To The Power of Attorney Regulations in New York State
Long awaited changes to the New York State Power of Attorney regulations were signed into law by Governor Cuomo on December 15, 2020. The bill, a major overhaul of the existing power of attorney legislation, will substantially change the format and enforceability of the current document in a few key ways. Most significantly, the power…
