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2021 Estate Tax Proposals
New federal tax legislation is on the horizon, with significant changes for estate and gift taxes. President Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan, currently wending its way through Congress, proposes to drastically cut the estate and gift tax exemption and make estate and gift tax planning much more difficult. The estate tax is a one-time tax […]
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Senior Scams are on the Rise: Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Online scams targeting seniors have existed for as long as seniors have been going online. The newest scams rely on victims’ familiarity with legitimate services.Newsday recently reported a Geek Squad email scam that targeted one senior in particular. Diane Belz, 68, had no reason to be suspicious when she opened an email claiming to be from Best […]
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Legislature simplifies the power of attorney process
Published in Long Island Business News by Julianne Mosher Back in December, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed new legislation, making significant changes to the power of attorney statute. The changes revised, and essentially simplified, the old form and replaced it with one that is easier to understand. But the changes also offer an opportunity for people […]
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Estate Taxes Coming Soon: Are You Ready?
The Biden Administration is preparing to make sweeping changes to our taxes in order to pay for infrastructure projects. The estate and gift tax laws are currently on the chopping block. Many families were not concerned with estate tax planning in recent years with the $11 Million exemption (even more when adjusted for inflation). However, current […]
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Health Care Proxy: A Must for College Aged Children
Imagine this scenario: You are the parent of a college student. Your telephone rings one evening and on the other end is your child’s roommate telling you that your child was just rushed to the emergency room. You call the hospital for information and identify yourself as the parent. The hospital advises you that because your […]
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Holiday Family Gatherings: A Time to Assess
Holiday family gatherings are not just good for catching-up; they are an opportunity to assess your aging loved one’s status and needs. Certain clues can reveal a decline in mental or physical abilities. Here are some things to look out for: Change in Personal Hygiene: Are there any changes in your loved one’s appearance? Perhaps they are not as “put […]
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Senior Scams Are on the Rise: Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Have you ever received a suspicious phone call or email? Your parents or elderly relatives most likely have. Police and prosecutors say scams against seniors are on the rise nationwide. Here are some common scams targeted towards older adults:Lottery phone scams in which callers convince seniors that a large fee or taxes must be paid […]
Continue readingThe IRS Warns: Beware of Tax Scams
The IRS has warned taxpayers to be alert during tax season to phone and e-mail scams. Scammers are ever-more aggressive and creative in stealing your money and your personal information. Identity theft is on the rise and thousands of people have lost millions of dollars in recent years to these taxpayer scams. Phone calls from the […]
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Protecting Accounts For After Your Death
What happens to your digital assets when you die? That’s a question many people haven’t thought about.The ramifications can be huge. by Sheryl Nance-Nash “I had a client who regularly played an online lottery,” says Jennifer Cona, managing partner of Cona Elder Law in Melville. “He set it up to place bids months in advance. […]
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Experts: It’s Never Too Early or Too Late to Plan for Your Golden Years
Far too many people wait much too long to make plans for their retirements, as well as all aspects of old age for that matter, with some never making such plans at all. The consequences of not planning can be devastating for them and their families, according to a group of experts who discussed aging on […]
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