Google PlusAlthough not the most widely known or understood estate planning tool, a trust may be extremely helpful for your personal needs. While a will might be fine for some, the advantages of a trust can be preferable for some estates. Here are five major reasons you should consider a trust for your estate planning needs: Continue reading “Five Reasons You Should Consider a Trust for Estate Planning”
Author: Tanya Hobson-Williams
Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John's University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly.
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What Does it Mean for a Will to Lapse?
When someone dies with a Last Will and Testament, their property is distributed in accordance with what the Will states. While preparing a Will can be a complicated and stressful process at the best of times, if not properly drafted, your wishes might not be realized when distribution of the Will occurs. For example, if a beneficiary under your Will has already died when distribution of your estate assets occurs, the issue of lapse will arise. Continue reading “What Does it Mean for a Will to Lapse?”
Federal Eviction Moratorium Extended Until December 31, 2020
Citing concerns about the effects that widespread evictions might have on the spread of the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has extended the federal eviction moratorium until December 31, 2020. In effect, this means that all evictions across the country, including in New York, must halt until the end of the year. However, this extension is not automatic, and tenants will need to advocate for themselves to avoid being evicted from their homes. Continue reading “Federal Eviction Moratorium Extended Until December 31, 2020”
CMS Orders States to Return to Normal Nursing Home Inspections
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have ordered states to resume regular annual surveys of nursing homes and to once again investigate claims of abuse and neglect at these institutions. These investigations and surveys were temporarily put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic but as states have begun returning to normal, more emphasis is being placed once more on ordinary operations. Thus, all the tasks that had been previously put on hold by CMS are now set to resume. Continue reading “CMS Orders States to Return to Normal Nursing Home Inspections”
Five Ways to Protect Your Estate Through Your Will
If you are planning your estate and writing your last will and testament instead of using a Trust, the last thing you want to worry about is who might try to attack your estate when you are no longer around to defend it. However, if you are not careful, the distribution of your estate can become a massive debacle as family members and creditors all fight for a piece of the pie. If you decide to use a will instead of a Trust to distribute your estate, here are five ways you can use your will to protect your estate from this kind of chaos: Continue reading “Five Ways to Protect Your Estate Through Your Will”
Landlords Resort to Coercive Tactics to Force “Self-Help” Evictions
Ever since New York Governor Andrew Cuomo instituted a moratorium on evictions back in March 2020, landlords have been frustrated with their inability to remove non-paying tenants from their apartments. While some landlords will wait for the moratorium to expire on August 20, 2020, others have taken more drastic measures to convince tenants to leave on their own. In many cases, these “self-help” evictions are illegal, and a violation of a tenant’s rights. Continue reading “Landlords Resort to Coercive Tactics to Force “Self-Help” Evictions”
Fears of Mass Evictions as Moratorium Set to Expire
Tenants and public officials alike fear a wave of mass evictions is coming once New York’s moratorium on evictions expires next month. Governor Andrew Cuomo instituted the moratorium to prevent people from being evicted during the coronavirus quarantine, when a stay-at-home order was still in effect. With many people still out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, some tenants have been unable to pay rent for the duration of the crisis, and landlords are already preparing to evict non-paying tenants once the moratorium expires in August. Continue reading “Fears of Mass Evictions as Moratorium Set to Expire”
What is the Difference Between a Guardianship and a Power of Attorney?
When someone becomes incapacitated or otherwise unable to make their own decisions for themselves, one of two things will happen. If the person has already signed a power of attorney, that will take effect, and whoever has been granted the power of attorney will make decisions on that person’s behalf from then on. However, if they do not have a power of attorney, a guardian will be appointed to fill a similar role. But what is the difference between someone being granted power of attorney, and someone being appointed a guardianship? Continue reading “What is the Difference Between a Guardianship and a Power of Attorney?”
NYC Freezes Rent for Regulated Apartments for One Year
The New York City Rent Guidelines Board has voted to freeze rent on regulated apartments for one year, starting September 2020 and extending to October 2021. The purpose behind the rent freeze is to help residents of regulated apartments to endure through the coronavirus pandemic, as many New York City residents remain out of work. The move has angered advocates for both renters and landlords, who see the vote as a compromise that satisfies no one. Continue reading “NYC Freezes Rent for Regulated Apartments for One Year”
The Benefit of Advance Directives
One of the inevitable realities of getting older is that, eventually, you may not be able to make decisions on your own behalf anymore. When that happens, the plans you have in place will determine how well you can ensure you are taken care of in your later years. It is for this reason that you should strongly consider preparing advance directives as soon as possible. Advance Directives will ensure your interests are protected when you can no longer take care of your own needs. Continue reading “The Benefit of Advance Directives”
