Archive for the Blog Category

What Gene Hackman’s Estate Teaches Us About the Power of Planning (and the Cost of Not)

On May 15, 2025   /   Blog  
What Gene Hackman’s Estate Teaches Us About the Power of Planning (and the Cost of Not)

When actor Gene Hackman passed away in February 2025 at age 95, he left behind an unforgettable legacy in film—and an estate planning disaster that no one saw coming. Despite decades of success and ample resources, his plan was outdated, incomplete, and ultimately, ineffective. At The Estate Planning Law Center, we often say estate planning isn’t about how much money you have—it’s about protecting the people you love and ensuring your wishes are honored. Hackman’s story is a real-time reminder of what can happen when that plan isn’t built to last. What Went Wrong? Hackman updated his will back in 2005, naming his wife Betsy Arakawa as the sole heir to his $80 million estate. Tragically, Betsy passed away just one week before Gene—and that’s where the cracks in his plan showed. He had no alternate beneficiaries listed. No contingency. No backup. So now? His estate is in limbo. His

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Simultaneous Death: What Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Can Teach Us About Estate Planning

On May 2, 2025   /   Blog  

When we think about estate planning, we often focus on the big milestones: marriage, retirement, the birth of children or grandchildren. But life rarely follows a perfect script, and sometimes tragedy strikes in ways we can’t predict. The recent passing of acclaimed actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, just days apart, offers a sobering reminder of a lesser-known, but critically important, issue in estate planning: what happens when spouses die in close succession? At first glance, it may seem like a rare scenario. But in our decades of experience helping New York families protect their assets and legacies, we know that real life is unpredictable.  That’s why understanding how simultaneous or near-simultaneous death impacts your estate plan isn’t just important, it’s essential. Why the Order of Death Can Change Everything In traditional estate plans, when one spouse passes, their assets typically go to the surviving spouse, unless directed

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Is Your Estate Plan Ready for the Changes Ahead?

On April 17, 2025   /   Blog  
Is Your Estate Plan Ready for the Changes Ahead?

Every season of change brings new possibilities—and potential risks to your estate plan. From estate tax thresholds to capital gains laws and asset protection strategies, political shifts can impact how well your current plan protects you and your loved ones. We’re not about panic—we’re about preparation. Whether you’re just beginning or have an existing trust and will in place, now is the perfect time to review your documents, strategies, and financial structure to ensure they’re still working for you. Not sure where to begin? Take our quick four question survey to see where you stand.

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Understanding the CDPAP Transition: What You Need to Know Before the March 2025 Deadline

On March 26, 2025   /   Blog  
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Understanding the CDPAP Transition: What You Need to Know Before the March 2025 Deadline

If you rely on the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) in New York, you may have heard about some big changes coming soon. Starting in March 2025, CDPAP consumers and their personal assistants (PAs) will need to transition to a new system with Public Partnership LLC (PPL), the statewide fiscal intermediary. We understand that these changes can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve been comfortable with the current system. We’re here to help you navigate this transition so you’re fully prepared before the deadline. Here’s what you need to know, step by step. What Is CDPAP and Why Does It Matter? The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is a Medicaid program that helps people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other long-term health conditions get the care they need at home. Instead of using agency-provided caregivers, CDPAP lets you hire your own personal assistants (PAs): whether that’s a family member,

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What’s in Your Wagon? Celebrating Legacy & Little Red Wagon Day

On March 20, 2025   /   Blog  
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What’s in Your Wagon? Celebrating Legacy & Little Red Wagon Day

  On March 26th, 2025, we celebrate Little Red Wagon Day, a day dedicated to the iconic red wagon, a symbol of childhood memories, imagination, and the power of passing down treasured items through generations. Just like a red wagon carries toys, books, or even a child’s dreams, estate planning is about carrying your life’s most valuable treasures forward: your legacy, your wishes, and your assets. At Estate Planning Law Center (EPLC), we believe that just as the little red wagon is passed down from one generation to the next, your legacy deserves to be protected and passed down in a legally sound and thoughtful way. Let’s explore how Little Red Wagon Day can inspire us to reflect on what we want to leave behind—and how estate planning can ensure it’s protected. The Legacy of the Little Red Wagon The Original Little Red Wagon, designed in 1917 by Antonio Pasin,

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What Happens If You Die Without a Will?

On March 19, 2025   /   Blog  
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Paul was a devoted father of three who always intended to write a will—but life got in the way. When he suddenly passed away, his family was shocked to learn that without a valid will, New York State law would dictate how his assets were distributed. Instead of Paul’s children receiving their inheritance smoothly, his estate went through probate, a lengthy and expensive court process. His family home, which he intended to leave to his eldest daughter, was instead divided among his children, causing disputes. His bank accounts were frozen for months, and his minor child’s inheritance was placed under court supervision. If Paul had created a will, everything would have gone according to his wishes—not the state’s. What Happens When You Die Without a Will? In New York, if you die without a will (intestate), the state determines who inherits your assets based on a strict legal formula. Here’s

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Healthcare Proxies: Planning for Medical Decisions—Separating Fact from Fiction

On March 10, 2025   /   Blog  
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When James’s mother, Ellen, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, their family assumed they could make medical decisions for her as needed. They had heard about healthcare proxies before but figured they weren’t necessary. “We’ll just tell the doctors what she would have wanted,” James thought. But when Ellen could no longer communicate her wishes, the family found themselves in a heartbreaking situation. Disagreements arose over what kind of care she should receive. Her doctors couldn’t act without legal authority, and the family had no choice but to go through the court system to obtain guardianship. The emotional toll was overwhelming, and they wished they had taken steps earlier to legally document Ellen’s healthcare wishes. Many families find themselves in similar situations because they fall for common myths about healthcare proxies. Let’s set the record straight. Myth #1: “I Don’t Need a Healthcare Proxy Unless I’m Old or Sick” Accidents and medical

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Understanding Powers of Attorney and Their Significance

On March 3, 2025   /   Blog  
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When Margaret’s husband, Tom, suffered a severe stroke at 68, she assumed she would automatically have the authority to manage their finances and make medical decisions on his behalf. They had been married for over 40 years, after all. But when Margaret tried to access his bank account, the bank refused to give her control.  The bank told her that without a Power of Attorney (POA), she had no legal authority to act on his behalf. Similarly, when she attempted to discuss Tom’s care with his doctors, they told her that without a Health Care Proxy (HCP), she had no legal authority to make medical decisions on his behalf.   Margaret was devastated. To gain control over their finances and make medical decisions for Tom, she had to go through the lengthy and expensive process of petitioning for guardianship—a situation that could have been completely avoided if they had put

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Passing Down More Than Assets: How to Preserve Family Legacy Through Storytelling

On February 18, 2025   /   Blog  
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Maria had always admired her grandmother’s quilt, but it wasn’t until she inherited it that she truly understood its significance. Inside the folds of fabric, she found a handwritten note detailing the stories behind each square. One square was from her great-grandfather’s army uniform; another was made from her grandmother’s wedding dress. The quilt wasn’t just an heirloom—it was a family history, stitched together with love. At The Estate Planning Law Center, we believe estate planning isn’t just about passing down assets. It’s about preserving your family’s identity and values. Legacy planning ensures the stories, traditions, and lessons that define your family endure for generations. Maria’s story highlights how small acts of preservation can have a lasting impact. She began recording her family’s stories, sitting down with relatives to capture moments that shaped their history. With time, she created a treasure trove of memories—stories about resilience, love, and the values

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Estate Planning as an Act of Love: Protecting What Matters Most

On February 3, 2025   /   Blog  
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Jenny loved being a mom. Raising her son Michael, who had special needs, brought her immense joy—but it also came with challenges. Jenny was Michael’s biggest advocate, navigating a maze of therapies and education plans to ensure he thrived. But one night, while watching Michael peacefully sleep, a thought struck her with a terrifying weight: “What happens to Michael if I’m not here?” Jenny couldn’t shake the question, and she knew she needed a plan. That’s when she turned to The Estate Planning Law Center, where she discovered the power of Special Needs Trusts (SNTs). These legal tools are more than just financial strategies—they’re lifelines for families like Jenny’s. An SNT allows families to provide for their loved ones with disabilities without jeopardizing access to critical government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). During her consultation, Jenny learned that simply leaving an inheritance to Michael could do more

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