Family and Matrimonial

How family law mediation can help parties break cycles of powerlessness, escalation and conflict

Separation and divorce change the structure of a family, but they don’t end the lifelong relationship parents share in raising their children.

Divorce proceedings demand immediate attention to asset division and custody matters, but what happens to your estate plan during this tumultuous period? Understanding the critical intersection of divorce law and estate planning can prevent unintended beneficiaries, protect your assets, and ensure your wishes are honored both during and after marital dissolution.

Something labeled “defective” usually does not work properly. The intentionally “defective” grantor trust, or “IDGT,” however, is a proven workhorse for tax-efficient business succession planning. A carefully planned and executed IDGT transaction enables business owners to transfer significant value in trust for the benefit of younger generations, with remarkable tax efficiency, while retaining control over the business. Two seemingly contradictory tax attributes of the IDGT underlie its tax efficiency.

Money secrets can destroy relationships just as thoroughly as romantic betrayal. Drawing on a recent Bankrate survey revealing that 43% of U.S. adults view financial secrets as seriously as physical infidelity, this conversation explores the warning signs of financial deception and the legal protections available when trust is shattered.

New York courts issued significant estate litigation rulings this spring, addressing undue influence claims, attorney-client privilege protections, and the admission of lost wills. These decisions clarify important procedural and substantive standards for estate practitioners navigating complex probate disputes.

How family law mediation can help parties break cycles of powerlessness, escalation and conflict

Money secrets can destroy relationships just as thoroughly as romantic betrayal. Drawing on a recent Bankrate survey revealing that 43% of U.S. adults view financial secrets as seriously as physical infidelity, this conversation explores the warning signs of financial deception and the legal protections available when trust is shattered.

‘Crypto’ was once a niche concept but has now become commonplace. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, etc. are now used in everyday vernacular and are becoming more ordinary methods of payment.