Many people misunderstand the need for a will. They see a will as something that individuals who are trying to save money in estate taxes or set up a trust would need. The real reason behind drawing up a will is to ensure that the people that someone wishes taken care of after their death will receive what they want them to.
What is a testamentary trust?
A testamentary trust differs from a living trust because a will creates it. This means that it does not go into effect until the person's death, allowing the person to change or revoke it at any time just like any other part of the will before they pass away. After the person's death, a directive for how, when and why the trustee should amend or revoke the trust is the only way that anybody can change it.
I need to do a resource test for Medicaid. What does it mean?
In New York, people often need Medicaid coverage in order to pay for nursing home care or home health care for elderly loved ones. When the state determines eligibility, there are situations in which, although the intended recipient's income and resources may exceed guideline limits, he or she may still be deemed eligible for coverage.
The imposition of New York estate tax
For individuals who died before April 1, 2014, an estate tax return must be filed in New York state if the federal gross value of the estate is more than $1 million. In addition, the decedent must have been a resident of New York state at the time of his or her death. An estate tax return may also need to be filed if the decedent owned property in the state at the time of his her death.
