A power of attorney is an essential part of any estate plan, but a shocking number of people do not have one. Without this critical document, you may face a substantial number of legal issues that otherwise you might have been able to avoid. But what exactly is a power of attorney, and what are the benefits of having one?
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Five Things to Know About Living Trusts
A living trust, also known as an inter vivos trust, is a type of trust that can benefit you both while you are still alive, and after you pass away. However, before you think about creating a living trust for yourself, it’s important to understand what it is and what benefits it can offer. Here are five things you should know about living trusts:
Tenants of Red Hook Apartment Sue Over Unlivable Conditions
Dozens of tenants living in an apartment in the neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn, have sued their landlord after losing their Section 8 vouchers due to the poor maintenance of the building. The lawsuit alleges that the landlord failed to perform necessary repairs on the building, leading to unlivable conditions that have put the building on the path to demolition. However, tenants want emergency repairs, and want to be guaranteed housing to ensure they will not become homeless due to the poor living conditions in the building.
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Legal Issues Remain After Passing of Gene Hackman
Eugene Allen Hackman, or Gene Hackman as he was commonly known, passed away in February 2025, shortly after the death of his wife Betsy Arakawa. Although this tragedy is bad enough on its own, there are issues with their wills and Trusts that have raised serious legal concerns after their passing. Even worse, these documents were signed about two decades ago, making them potentially much harder to contest. Gene Hackman’s estate is estimated to be approximately $80 million dollars.
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Tanya Hobson-Williams Honored By 2025 Power Women of Queens
On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Tanya Hobson-Williams joined dozens of other women who were honored as the 2025 Power Women of Queens, an event intended to promote women who have shown themselves to be leaders and rising stars in Queens. Tanya was awarded for her distinguished excellence as an attorney, and was recognized for her work in high profile guardianship cases. Events like these highlight the importance of elevating women in their respective fields, and the impact they can have on their communities.
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Williamsburg Tenants Sue Landlord For Negligence
Tenants of an apartment building located in the neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, have sued their landlord due to alleged negligence, which has left the building nearly uninhabitable. Residents have leveled a number of complaints, including failures to address hazardous conditions or maintain basic utilities. The Tenants Association is hoping the city will intervene and take over management of the building to begin addressing some of these problems. Continue reading “Williamsburg Tenants Sue Landlord For Negligence”
What is Landlord Harassment, and What Can You Do About It?
Ideally, all landlords would treat their tenants with the respect and dignity they deserve, and always be mindful of tenants’ rights. However, some landlords engage in harassment against their tenants, which can make life more difficult and potentially impinge on a tenant’s legal rights. But what exactly is landlord harassment, and what can you do about it if it happens to you?
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Fight Over Murdoch Trust Reveals Estate Planning Issues
A legal fight over the family trust of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has resulted in a surprising loss for the billionaire, which could have significant implications for his family and his business empire. Murdoch, the owner of numerous television and newspaper companies, wanted to change the trust to favor one of his children over the others. However, he has lost the battle, showing the importance of proper and timely estate planning.
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Why Might You Need to Hire a Landlord-Tenant Lawyer?
While not everyone has a contentious relationship with their landlord, there is always the chance that they will face some kind of significant legal issue related to their apartment. When this happens, it is typically a good idea to hire a lawyer with experience handling disputes between landlords and their tenants. But why exactly might you need to hire a landlord-tenant lawyer?
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Understanding Your Right to Your Security Deposit
Under New York law, every tenant is entitled to have their security deposit returned to them after the end of their lease, unless it has been used to pay for repairs. Despite this, tenants often struggle to get their security deposit back from their landlords. What does it mean to have a right to your security deposit back, and what can you do when your landlord refuses to cooperate and give it back?
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