New York's Asset Protection Roundtable

In this mailbag episode, Ted answers three listener questions about estate planning situations that aren't always straightforward. He explains how to handle assets that are legally in your name but intended for someone else, including a parent's home or an adult child's bank account. Ted also discusses whether a vacation home can be placed in a trust while still allowing family members to enjoy it. Finally, he addresses whether handwritten wills are legally valid and why following the proper requirements is essential to making sure your wishes are honored.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

Your estate planning attorney manages your estate plan. Your financial advisor manages your investments. Your CPA handles your taxes. They each have a different job, but those jobs are far from separate. In this episode, we look at how the size, type, and location of your investments can directly affect your estate plan, your taxes, and ultimately what your beneficiaries receive.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

In this mailbag episode, Ted explains why different people can be named to handle financial, legal, and medical responsibilities within an estate plan. He also discusses how a properly structured trust can help protect an inheritance for a loved one with special needs without jeopardizing important benefits. Finally, Ted explains why updating an estate plan should be one of the first priorities after a divorce, especially when it comes to decision-makers, beneficiaries, trusts, and jointly owned property.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

Maybe you helped one child buy a house, start a business, or simply get through a difficult season. But if they still owe you money when you die, what happens next? Do you forgive the loan, or should that money count against their inheritance? In this episode, we look at the options for handling family loans in an estate plan and why documenting your intentions now can prevent a lot of confusion later.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

In this mailbag episode, Ted answers three estate planning questions that can easily be overlooked. He explains why funeral instructions may be better handled outside of a will, what to do with an old life insurance policy so it still fits into your estate plan, and why parents should consider naming backup guardians for minor children. Ted also highlights the importance of reviewing your plan regularly so these important decisions continue to reflect your current wishes.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

No one can predict the future, but a good estate plan should be prepared for it. What if your executor can't serve? What if a beneficiary dies before you? What if your family looks very different ten years from now? In this episode, we'll explain why estate planning is really about planning for the "what ifs," and how the right contingencies can keep your wishes on track no matter what life brings.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

In this mailbag episode, Ted explains what happens when someone dies without a will and how state law determines who inherits the estate. He also discusses why a newly purchased home may need to be transferred into an existing trust and what steps are required to make that transfer effective. Finally, Ted shares ways a trust can protect an inheritance for a loved one who may struggle with gambling or other financial challenges. 

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

Most people think a power of attorney is a single document that covers everything. But that's one of the biggest misconceptions in estate planning. In reality, there are two completely different powers of attorney—one for your finances and one for your health care. In this episode, we'll explain what each document does, why you need both, and how choosing the wrong person can create major problems when your family needs help the most.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

In this mailbag episode, Ted tackles three important estate planning questions from listeners. He discusses options for parents who want to provide for their children without handing over an inheritance too soon, addresses what can happen when an executor named years ago is no longer in the picture, and explains some common misconceptions about debts, estates, and heirs after someone passes away. 

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/

You did the right thing. You hired an attorney and got your estate plan done. But what if the problem isn’t whether you have a plan… it’s whether it was done right? In this episode, we walk through some of the most common mistakes we see, including ones that even experienced attorneys can make, and how those small oversights can lead to big problems down the road.

Contact:
718-233-2903
Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/