When you’re caring for an adult with special needs in New York, you may be faced with the decision whether a guardianship or a power of attorney offers the right level of support. A guardianship gives someone legal authority to
Leaving A Loving Legacy
Leaving A Loving Legacy, published by Sverdlov Law PLLC, focuses on estate planning topics relevant to New York residents. The blog covers special needs planning, including the use of special needs trusts to protect government benefits. It addresses family communication strategies for discussing estate plans, management of digital assets after death under New York law, and the legal rights of spouses regarding inheritance and elective shares. The blog also explores Medicaid planning, probate and estate administration, guardianships, and business succession planning. It aims to provide practical guidance on protecting assets, ensuring care for loved ones, and navigating complex legal requirements in estate and elder law contexts.
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Latest from Leaving A Loving Legacy
How to Leave Money for a Special Needs Child Without Jeopardizing Their Benefits
A well-meaning gift or inheritance can unintentionally disrupt a special needs child’s eligibility for government programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. Fortunately, there are effective estate planning tools that allow families to provide financial support while preserving those…
How to Talk to Your Family About Estate Planning Over the Holidays
By Daniel Price
A practical guide to having important conversations with the people who matter most.
Why the Holidays Are the Best Time for These Conversations
For many families, Thanksgiving is one of the few times each year when everyone is in the…
Managing Digital Assets After Death: Practical Guidance for Families and Fiduciaries
By Daniel Price
How to locate, access, and protect a loved one’s online property under New York law.
The Challenge of Digital Estates
When a loved one passes away, locating their accounts and records is rarely straightforward — especially when much of their…
How Much Can You Leave a Non-Citizen Spouse Without Tax Consequences?
Why You Can’t Disinherit Your Spouse in New York (Without a Prenup or Postnup)
By Daniel Price
Understanding your spouse’s statutory right to a share of your estate — and how proper planning can help protect your intentions.
The Reality of Spousal Rights in New York
In New York, no one can simply “cut out” their spouse…
How to Navigate the Costs of Long-Term Care: Medicaid, Insurance, and More
Planning for long-term care isn’t something most of us want to think about, but in New York, the costs are hard to ignore. Nursing homes, assisted living, and even in-home support can quickly drain savings if you aren’t prepared. The…
National Estate Planning Awareness Week: Why Every Family Needs a Plan
By Daniel Price
An estate plan is more than a set of documents — it’s a framework for protecting your wishes, your assets, and the people you care about.
Each October, National Estate Planning Awareness Week serves as a timely reminder of how…
Don’t Lose the Trust Documents!
By Daniel Price
In estate planning, the paper you lose determines the outcome you get.
When clients think about “losing estate documents,” they often picture chaos — assets frozen, plans destroyed, and endless court battles. But the truth is more nuanced.
If you…
What Does It Mean to Be an Executor, Trustee, or Agent?
By Daniel Price
Agents, Executors, Trustees — Explained Simply
When planning your estate, one of the most important choices you’ll make is who to appoint in key fiduciary roles. These people will make financial, medical, legal, and end-of-life decisions for you and your…