Into the Woods

In this episode, Dave Shaffer and Morgan Napierski discuss New York's new Transfer on Death deed law, explaining the limitations and pitfalls that make this probate avoidance tool less useful than it seems for most families.

In this episode of Into the Woods, attorney Hannah Mills joins host Dave Shaffer to explain why estate planning isn’t just for older generations. They cover New York’s intestacy laws, planning considerations for young families, unmarried couples, and business owners, and share a cautionary tale about the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

In this episode of Into the Woods, host Dave Shaffer and estates paralegal Deana Kilpatrick walk through the 10 immediate steps families should take when a loved one passes away – from obtaining death certificates and finding the will to tracking assets, managing debts, and knowing when to seek legal guidance.

In Part 2 of their teamwork series, Dave Shaffer and Hannah Cannon discuss estate administration, tax filing requirements, and the importance of working with financial advisors—plus a $21 million lesson about fiduciary duty.

In Part 1 of their teamwork series, Dave Shaffer and Hannah Cannon discuss why estate planning requires collaboration between lawyers, financial advisors, and insurance agents—plus a cautionary case about the cost of failing to coordinate.

In Part 2 of their real estate series, Dave Shaffer and Tom Rickettson discuss trusts and LLCs as tools for avoiding probate, protecting assets, and managing property—plus celebrity examples of creative trust naming for privacy.

In this special video episode filmed at the WOG holiday party, Dave Shaffer and Caroline Cercone preview the top 5 estate planning trends for 2026—including New York estate tax strategies, gifting, asset protection, and digital asset planning.

In Part 1 of their real estate series, Dave Shaffer and Tom Rickettson discuss how property ownership affects estate planning, explain common deed structures, and share lessons from HBO's Succession about the importance of planning ahead.

In this episode, Dave Shaffer and Caroline Cercone discuss the fundamentals of charitable giving, including donor-advised funds, private foundations, and charitable trusts. They share practical planning advice and a cautionary tale about vetting charities before you donate.

In Part 2 of their series on the five-year Medicaid lookback period, attorneys Dave Shaffer and Hannah Mills discuss overlooked transactions that can count as gifts, share lessons from a real fair-hearing case, and offer documentation tips to help families avoid costly Medicaid penalties.