Choosing a Trustee: Navigating the Complexities and Key Considerations
Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 509: Listen and Learn -- Third-Party Rights in Contracts (Part 2 - Beneficiaries)
Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 508: Listen and Learn -- Third-Party Rights in Contracts (Part 1 - Rules)
Mamma Mia!: Common Estate Planning Issues for Blended Families
Once Removed Episode 38: The Legacy Mindset: What It Is and How to Build It
John Wick - What You Need To Know about the Corporate Transparency Act
Once Removed Episode 24: Expressing Goals and Intent for the Trust
Once Removed Episode 23: Naming Guardians for Minor Children
Once Removed Episode 22: Building Flexibility into the Estate Plan
Once Removed Episode 20: Helping a Beneficiary Purchase a Home
Life After Love Gone Wrong Podcast: Season 3, Episode 6 - Reshaping Your Legacy: Estate Planning After Your Divorce
Charitable Planning With Guest Stephanie Hood: Navigating Complex Rules and Traps for the Unwary
A Primer On Trusts - A Podcast with Janathan Allen
Once Removed Episode 13: It’s 5 o’Clock: Do You Know Where Your Will Is? A Lesson From Aretha Franklin
Once Removed Episode 12: SLATs and the Case of McKim vs. McKim
Once Removed Episode 11: Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, or SLATs
Digital Planning Podcast Episode: Family Office Technology Solutions
Digital Planning Podcast Episode: The Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act
What is a self-proving affidavit?
The Importance of Beneficiary Designations
The prudence of estate planning extends far beyond the question of “what happens to my money, assets, and belongings at the end of my life?” Estate planning facilitates shrewd planning and management of one’s life and...more
Probate is the legal process of administering a Decedent’s Last Will & Testament (“Will”), whereby assets owned by the Decedent at death are distributed pursuant to the terms of their Will, or if there is no Will, according...more
Experienced trusts and estates attorneys consistently observe how proper planning can mean the difference between a thriving legacy and a fragmented enterprise. For family-owned life insurance businesses, the stakes are...more
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” into law (2025 Act), which made permanent a number of important tax provisions that were set to expire on January 1, 2026. From an estate planning...more
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...more
In this episode of Legacy Lessons, Shawn R. McClelland, Partner in our Tax, Trusts, and Estates Practice Group, walks us through one of the most common estate planning questions families face: Should I create a will, or do I...more
It is a common misconception believed by many that having a will avoids probate. Not only is it false, it really could not be further from the truth. Rather, a will is a tool that is often used during the probate process and...more
A Hollywood Legend’s Final Act: A Lesson in Estate Planning - The world recently bid farewell to legendary actor Gene Hackman, who passed away on February 18, 2025, at the age of 95. Just six days earlier, his wife, Betsy...more
In the late 19th century, death was almost fashionable. Funerals were well attended and even rivaled weddings in their splendor and expense. Department stores offered an array of luxury clothing for grieving mothers and...more
The best plan is worthless if not properly executed. This article follows on from our earlier discussion on issues clients may need to consider before passing assets to their intended heirs. Here, we highlight some...more
In Arizona, spring is when the sun shines brightly, and the temperatures are perfect for enjoying outdoor activities. As much as we love the spring warmth, it is important to remember that with all that sunshine comes the...more
Springtime is a great time to review your current estate plan or consider creating one. This year brings a number of opportunities for creating an estate plan, pursuing gifting strategies, and considering philanthropic...more
The recent passing of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, within days of each other in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home underscores the importance of contingency planning and other factors in...more
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...more
A collection may hold deep personal significance for a client but may not carry the same sentimental or financial value for their heirs. It is essential to encourage clients to have open conversations with their heirs, as...more
Welcome to Lost in Translation: Blunders in International Estate Planning; in this blog series, I will delve into the rarified world of international estate planning, shedding light on possible pitfalls and slip-ups. Blunder...more
You’ve signed your estate plan – congratulations! The most important step is complete. But the next most important step with respect to your estate planning is yet to come. That step is to review your plan as time passes....more
Welcome to Lost in Translation: Blunders in International Estate Planning; in this blog series, I will delve into the rarified world of international estate planning, shedding light on possible pitfalls and slip-ups....more
Why is the end of the year a good time to consider trust and estate planning for business owners? Do you own real property or have other investments outside your business interests? Have you given any thought to what would...more
Your family’s vacation home is more than just a property. It is where your family has created memories to cherish for generations. Deciding how to pass down such a meaningful asset can be an emotional decision, but it...more
Many people fear the word probate, and it is not without reason. Probate can be a tedious, expensive and lengthy process, where you are at the whim of the court’s timeline. But what is probate? Probate is when you must...more
How planning can minimize the impact of income taxes - Until recently, estate planning strategies generally focused on removing as much wealth as possible from one’s estate to avoid the bite of federal estate tax....more
The services following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II might have many of us thinking about our own estate planning. One striking piece of information about Her Majesty was that she had planned out many...more
As the holiday season approaches, people are thinking about giving to charitable organizations. As a donor, you can be both philanthropic and tax-efficient in your charitable giving. Estate Planning - One way to give is...more
Trusts and Estates Attorney Alexis Gruttadauria joins host and Litigation Partner Rich Schoenstein to discuss “Why You Need an Estate Plan” on the latest episode of Law Brief. Lexi and Rich delve into the legal disposition of...more