New York child support lasts until the age of 21. This means parents who go through a divorce have the responsibility to pay for most, if not all, of college tuition. However, not get this confused with custody or visitation because the child becomes an adult at 18. So although the non-custodial parent has financial responsibilities to the child after…
An elderly parent’s dementia diagnosis can profoundly impact an entire family. Estate planning must balance long-term care needs with a parent’s desire to leave an inheritance to family members. These are some essential details to consider. Disease progression Dementia can rob your parents of their ability to express their wishes. Therefore, it is critical to help them create or modify…
For as long as asset division laws have been in place, people have been trying to get around them. Despite the fact that this is illegal, many feel it is their right or in their best interest to try hiding assets anyway. To that end, many have utilized cryptocurrency and other means of digital currency to try getting away with…
While dividing marital property is often stressful, determining who will receive custody of the children can be even more overwhelming for those going through a divorce. If you have filed for divorce or are currently going through the divorce process, you know firsthand the emotions that may arise. Whether you can negotiate the terms of your custody arrangement through mediation…
Since the subject of a prenuptial agreement can be an emotionally sensitive one for couples about to marry, you may have decided not to ask your spouse to sign one. Now that you have experienced the highs and lows of marriage, you might regret not signing a prenuptial agreement when you had the chance. Fortunately, the option of a postnuptial…
If your aging parents lack the ability to effectively manage their finances, they may be at a much higher risk of falling victim to fraud. You can contribute to their protection when you remain actively involved in helping them monitor their finances. You can also protect your parents when you educate them about what fraud looks like. If fraud does…
When you got divorced, your life changed in many different ways. Because of these changes, your estate plan may not reflect your current wishes. According to Gallup, only 46% of Americans have a will, but if you fall into this group, you should take time to revise your estate plan following divorce. You should plan on doing this shortly after…
When you die without a will in New York, the responsibility of distributing your assets falls on the state. Having a will helps ensure that you maintain control over what happens to your assets after you die. While a will is an integral part of your estate plan, there are other elements you may also find worthwhile to include in…
Divorced parents may have agreed to a custody arrangement that no longer serves the relevant children well. When this is the case in the state of New York, a parent may seek a modification of the child custody agreement. In order to petition the court for a change to an existing deal, the alteration needs to be in the child’s…
As a parent going through divorce, you still want what is best for your child. Of course, the divorce process itself will often create great amounts of stress and disharmony in your child’s life. You can potentially counterbalance that by providing stability in their home environment, though. Bird nesting is one potential way to do this. But what is bird…
When you entrust your loved one to a care facility, it feels like one of the hardest decisions. Even the highest level of care does not always feel like a good substitute for your own, but at the same time, many working people simply do not have the means, time or ability to care for a loved one properly. This…
When you first set up your estate plan, it can take a lot of time and effort. When you finish the initial set-up, you likely feel relieved that the bulk of the work has come to an end. But an estate plan is not a “set and forget” project. Over the years, you will still have to take time to…
