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”
Blog
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”
Statement from Tanya Hobson-Williams on the Death of George Floyd
The death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department is a tragedy and a travesty, an act of unconscionable violence from people we trust to protect and serve our communities.
What makes his death worse, however, is that his circumstances are not unique. Every day across America, Black communities are terrorized by the police, victims of brutality committed under the color of law. Such heinous acts should be punished as the crimes they are, but all too often, perpetrators of police brutality receive no more than a slap on the wrist.
“Change depends on people knowing the truth. Change depends on people speaking that truth out loud. That’s what movements do. Movements educate people to the truth. They pass along information and ideas that many others do not know, and they cause them to ask questions, to challenge their own long-held beliefs. Movements are the way ordinary people get more freedom and justice. Movements are how we keep a check on power and those who abuse it.”
Unita Blackwell, Politician and Activist.
Healthcare Proxy vs. Living Will
Advance directives are among the most important steps you can take when protecting yourself in the event of possible incapacity. Among these advance directives, two are particularly relevant during the coronavirus pandemic: the healthcare proxy, and the living will. But what are these advance directives, and how do you know which ones are appropriate for you and your needs? Continue reading “Healthcare Proxy vs. Living Will”
What Happens if You Are Charged with Medicaid Fraud
Medicaid fraud is a persistent issue across the country, costing state governments billions of dollars every year. It was estimated in a report by PBS that nearly one in every ten Medicaid payments are in some way erroneous and potentially fraudulent. But what exactly is it, and what are you supposed to do if you get charged with it? Continue reading “What Happens if You Are Charged with Medicaid Fraud”
Medicaid Planning During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Planning for retirement while the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing may seem strange, considering how many people are simply struggling to make it through the current crisis. However, in some ways there has never been a better time to figure out how you intend to care for yourself in your later years, especially if you are approaching retirement age. If you are an older American and wondering how you will manage healthcare costs after you retire, you should consider Medicaid planning as part of your retirement plan. Continue reading “Medicaid Planning During the Coronavirus Pandemic”
