Grandparents Day, observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day, provides a meaningful reminder: as we celebrate the love, wisdom, and support grandparents give, it’s also a time to think about how to protect that legacy legally. In 2025, Grandparents Day fell on September 2nd, making early September a fitting moment to revisit, or begin, your estate plan with grandchildren in mind. Many grandparents generously support grandchildren, through gifts, tuition help, or simply helping out. In fact, a recent survey found that 96% of grandparents provide some form of financial support to grandchildren, and collectively U.S. grandparents spend an estimated $238 billion annually on their grandkids. The Senior List Yet generosity without a strategy can lead to unintended tax burdens, loss of control, or family conflict. A thoughtful estate plan ensures that your gifts and intentions carry forward in a controlled, legally sound way. Below, we explain how grandparents can
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Creating a will is about more than just distributing assets. It’s about protecting your loved ones, expressing your wishes clearly, and staying in control of your future, no matter what. At the Estate Planning Law Center, we help New Yorkers craft legally sound, deeply personal estate plans that reflect what truly matters to them. Whether you’re just starting your journey or updating an existing plan, this guide will help you understand how to make sure your will stands strong and your wishes are honored. TDLR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) A valid will in New York must follow specific legal requirements to be enforceable Without a will, the state decides who inherits your assets under intestacy laws Customizing your will allows you to choose guardians, distribute property, and support causes you care about Regular updates and proper asset alignment ensure your will reflects your current wishes Working with an experienced estate
Continue Reading... →You’ve had the hard talks with your kids. About school, safety, and growing up. Now, it’s time for another kind of hard talk… with your parents. Talking about wills, health care, or where your parents want to live if they can’t live at home anymore, it’s awkward. You might worry about upsetting them or sounding like you’re trying to take over. But here’s the truth: not talking about it doesn’t make the need go away. It just pushes the problem down the road, until you’re forced to deal with it during a crisis. If you’re raising children and also supporting aging parents, you’re part of what’s called the Sandwich Generation. July is Sandwich Generation Month — a time to recognize people like you who are juggling two generations of care. It’s also the perfect time to start the conversations that really matter — before life makes the decision for you.
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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,
Continue Reading... →When Tom passed away, his family quickly learned that his will wasn’t enough. What followed was a year of probate—an emotionally and financially draining process that left his children bitter and fractured. Despite Tom’s best intentions, court fees piled up, disputes over sentimental items escalated, and cherished family memories were overshadowed by resentment. Probate is a court-supervised process designed to settle an estate, but for many families, it feels more like a punishment. It’s public, lengthy, and expensive, with fees in New York State often eating up anywhere from 5%-20% of the estate’s value. For Tom’s family, it was a stark reminder that a will alone isn’t enough to prevent complications. Contrast this with Sarah’s story. Sarah had taken a proactive approach by working with The Estate Planning Law Center to create a revocable living trust. When Sarah passed, her assets bypassed probate entirely. Her successor trustee handled everything seamlessly—distributing
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