Before we explain the importance of having a living will, we must first establish that we are not talking about a will. An estate planning attorney can help you create either document, but they perform two different functions. Your last will and testament is commonly referred to as “a will.” It is a legal document that declares how your assets will be distributed when you pass away.  A living will allows you to Read More

New Yorkers rent. To get an idea of the level and degree, look at Brooklyn. More than 2.5 million people live in this borough, and almost 1.8 million are renters. Combine that staggering number with the variety of laws and court directives passed since the start of the pandemic, including the Tenant Safe Harbor Act (TSHA).  Not only was there a moratorium on evictions that lasted nearly two years, but the effects of Read More

  After Jerry Garcia passed away, his guitars went to Douglas Erwin (the same person who made them). Why would anyone know these personal details? Because he created a will, and they are public. If anyone were inclined to do so, they would be able to read it in its entirety.  Before we continue with some common reasons why people try to avoid probate, you should understand how an estate gets there. Read More

Litigation can equate to financial loss. Understanding litigation (and, more importantly, how to prevent it) is part of managing and running a successful business. Think of it as another way money can leave you and your business.  Civil vs. Commercial  It does bear some importance to explain the difference between civil and commercial litigation. Even experienced business owners can confuse the two. Civil Read More

Buying real estate in New York is competitive. Finding the right home for you and your family (and having your offer accepted) could feel like winning the lottery. Hence, it can be challenging to walk away from a sale.  There are several legitimate reasons why buyers would opt out of the deal, especially if it is in their best interest. Because there is a lot of emotion tied into buying a home, you could be torn Read More

Buying or selling a house is a big decision. Whether you are going through this process so you can find a home that you will live in, or you are purchasing or selling an investment property, you want to make sure that everything goes smoothly. One of the things that can make a real estate deal a little more complicated is the use of contingencies. A contingency is a stipulation that allows either party to back out Read More

Due to the industry’s popularity, many people have associated the term “entrepreneur” with tech companies. It can be anyone who wants to start a business. These are people who have passions they want to turn into careers—or even secondary ones.  Regardless of the size of your future business, entrepreneurs will likely develop plans to market a product or service, formulate ways in which to sell and produce them, Read More

There are some facets of the law that have a degree of crossover. For instance, business owners (small or large) may find themselves in need of an attorney who has a background in estate planning. Why? Because they will need to develop a business succession plan.  Not only is this the best thing for your business over the long term, but it is also critical for the people who rely on the business. Imagine if you, a Read More

It may be a mistake to think that your business is too small to consider becoming a corporation. When people think of one, they likely imagine large buildings, thousands of employees, and even multiple locations.  The question of whether to incorporate is not just for those companies. It applies to partnerships and sole proprietors as well. Even if you are at the earliest stages of a business and all you have is Read More

Business owners need to maximize efficiency, especially in regards to time and money. Litigation can derail both of these things. There are the potential costs associated with litigation, including attorneys’ fees, and often what proves more essential is the time associated with resolving any dispute, whether by settlement or judicial determination.  Even if you win, you can never get back the time and effort that Read More