Estate Planning - Bernard Law P.C.

How Can New York Business Owners Transfer Ownership Without Forcing a Sale After Death?

For many New York business owners, a company is much more than just an asset. It often reflects years of hard work, supports several family members, provides jobs for loyal employees, and makes up a large part of the owner’s wealth. Still, many owners focus on running and growing their business but put off deciding […]

Posted on: October 22, 2026

Can You Prevent a Beneficiary From Squandering a Large Inheritance?

Leaving a large inheritance to a child or another beneficiary can raise a tough question: what if that person is not ready to handle the money? Even someone who is responsible in most areas of life might struggle with a sudden windfall of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Some people may have […]

Posted on: October 18, 2026

Why A Basic Will And Living Trust May Not Be Enough For A High-Net-Worth Family

A will and a revocable living trust are a good starting point for an estate plan, but families with significant wealth often need more. If your estate includes investments, valuable real estate, family businesses, several homes, or large retirement accounts, planning goes beyond just deciding who gets what. Taxes, how assets are owned, business succession, […]

Posted on: October 17, 2026

Pour-Over Wills in New York: Why a Living Trust May Still Need a Will

Setting up a revocable living trust is an important step in a New York estate plan, but it should not be your only tool. Many people in Suffolk County think that after signing a trust, they no longer need a will because the trust will handle all their assets. This can cause problems if property […]

Posted on: October 16, 2026

How Assisted Reproduction Can Change Your Estate Plan

Assisted reproductive technology has changed how families are created, but it has also created estate planning issues that many people never consider. Frozen embryos, sperm, and ova may remain available years after they were originally preserved, and a child may potentially be conceived after a parent's death. That possibility raises important questions about inheritance, beneficiary […]

Posted on: October 15, 2026

Can A Child Conceived After Your Death Inherit From Your Estate In New York?

New advances in assisted reproduction have raised estate planning questions that earlier generations never faced. One key question is whether a child conceived after a parent’s death can inherit from that parent’s estate. In New York, this is possible, but only if certain legal requirements are met. The law treats children conceived before a parent’s […]

Posted on: October 7, 2026

New York Probate Traps To Avoid

Probate in New York is often simple if the estate plan is organized, but even small mistakes can lead to delays, extra costs, and family disagreements. Most issues we see start with missing paperwork, unclear beneficiary choices, mishandled property, or misunderstandings about an executor’s role. Fixing these problems after probate begins can mean more paperwork, […]

Posted on: October 6, 2026

Why A Special Needs Trust May Be Essential For Protecting Government Benefits

If you want to leave money or property to a loved one with a disability, think carefully about how you do it. Even a well-meaning gift can cause problems if the person receives government benefits like Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. Giving an inheritance directly may increase their resources and affect eligibility for these programs. […]

Posted on: October 4, 2026

10 Things You Should Leave Out of Your Will

A Last Will and Testament is a key part of an estate plan, but not every instruction should go in it. Many people try to use their wills for things that are better handled with beneficiary designations, trusts, or other documents. Sometimes, including the wrong details in a will can cause confusion or make a […]

Posted on: October 3, 2026

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