Do you really need to like your attorney? Maybe not… but imagine sitting across from someone who makes you feel judged, rushed, or confused while trying to plan for the most personal aspects of your life. Your family. Your finances. Your future. Now, fast forward. One day, your loved ones will have to work with this same attorney after you’re gone. Do you want them to deal with someone you barely trusted in the first place? Let’s talk about why finding the right attorney—one you’re actually comf...
Mar 06, 2025•13 min
In this week's mailbag episode, Ted answers 3 questions from listeners like you. First, Cooper asks if it's necessary to review his estate plan despite no changes in his family since he set it up years ago. Later in the show, Vivian asks if she should find a new attorney now that her old one has retired and whether a new attorney will accept and work with an estate plan created by someone else. Tune in to see what you can learn today! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsasl...
Feb 20, 2025•10 min
Estate planning isn’t a one-and-done deal. Life changes, and so should your plan. In this episode, we’re diving into how to prepare for your estate plan review meeting. We’ll cover what to bring, what to update, and how to ensure your plan still works for your family and future. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Feb 06, 2025•10 min
We're answering 3 great questions from the listener mailbag today! First, Clara asks whether she can handle arrangements for her overseas real estate from the U.S. without hiring an attorney in the other country. Later, Bill asks why someone would set up an irrevocable trust. Tune in to hear Ted's insights! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Jan 23, 2025•8 min
What happens when a music legend’s final wishes are hidden under a couch cushion? In this episode, we reveal the surprising legal drama surrounding Aretha Franklin’s estate. From handwritten wills to family conflicts, the Queen of Soul’s legacy offers lessons for anyone thinking about their own estate planning. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Jan 09, 2025•14 min
Tune in as Ted unpacks 3 questions from the listener mailbag today! First, Evelyn asks if there is a way to leave her daughter an inheritance without her ex-husband being able to influence or pressure her. Later, Grant asks how he can responsibly set up an estate plan for his young children, given the uncertainty of what they will be like when they grow up. Don't miss Ted's great insights! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Dec 19, 2024•12 min
Should you micromanage your trustee? In this episode, we’ll dive into how much control you should keep, when to trust your trustee’s judgment, and how to future-proof your estate plan. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Dec 05, 2024•13 min
We've got a great mailbag episode lined up for you today! Listen in as Ted answers a variety of listener questions on estate planning. Lillian asks about buying a house that’s in probate, while Everett wonders if he can seek help from a new attorney after his parents’ estate planner retired. Tune in for expert insights on these scenarios and more! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Nov 21, 2024•10 min
Trust funding can be a cumbersome process. With each financial institution having its own set of rules and procedures, conflicts can arise, making it hard to move forward. In today's episode of New York's Asset Protection Roundtable , we’ll talk about some unexpected roadblocks you may encounter and share strategies to ensure your plan stays on course. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Nov 14, 2024•13 min
In this week's episode, Ted tackles 3 questions from the listener mailbag. Austin asks how to ensure that both their children from previous relationships inherit what they’ve worked for, while also making sure their spouse is financially secure if one of them passes away. Penelope asks whether the family business should be gifted to their interested child or sold to them, given that not all of their children want to take it over. Tune in for answers to these questions and more! Contact: 718...
Oct 17, 2024•10 min
When most people think of estate planning, traditional assets like bank accounts and investments come to mind. However, over the past 20 to 25 years, digital assets have become increasingly significant. Today, we’ll explore what digital assets are, how to manage them legally, and the practical steps to include them in your estate plan. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Oct 03, 2024•11 min
We have some excellent listener questions lined up for this week's conversation. Derek asks if it's ever a good idea to leave an inheritance to a stepchild. Vincent asks how he can provide financial support to his son, who struggles with addiction, while ensuring his money is managed responsibly. You never know what you might learn from a mailbag episode, so tune in as Ted tackles these real-life scenarios with thoughtful advice! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfir...
Sep 19, 2024•10 min
Over a lifetime, people can accumulate a lot of “stuff." This can multiply as families have children and later inherit from parents or grandparents who pass away. While many accounts and assets have a rather “straightforward” process to pass on, some unique, rare, collectible, and/or expensive personal effects require more care in handling. In this episode, we’ll walk through exactly what you need to consider. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Sep 05, 2024•15 min
We've got a mailbag episode for you today! In this edition, Jasper asks why his parents might not have kept their original will, how he can locate it, and what happens if the original cannot be found. Nora asks how to prevent potential conflicts among her children over inheriting and maintaining the family lake house after she and her spouse pass away. Join us as Ted answers these questions and more! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Aug 15, 2024•9 min
Once estate planning documents are signed, it is important to keep them both safe AND accessible. Many people do not consider the importance of where to store your documents after they are prepared. One option that some people use is allowing their attorney to store the original documents at their office. Let’s explore the pros and cons of entrusting your lawyer with the original copies. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Aug 01, 2024•13 min
Tune in for this week's mailbag episode, as Isabel asks whether she and her husband should involve their children in the estate planning process. Later, another listener asks how they can protect their estate to ensure there's something left for their children after they're gone. Plus, Ted breaks down the concept of joint tenancy and its benefits! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Jul 18, 2024•11 min
Many people automatically think of how to handle or “plan” for their assets when estate planning comes to mind. However, the inheritance of someone’s assets is only one piece of the puzzle. This is why someone asking, “how much money do I need to have before I create an estate plan?” is always the wrong question. On this episode, let’s cover several estate planning goals that have nothing to do with someone’s assets. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Jul 02, 2024•13 min
It's a mailbag edition of the show today! This week, Cole asks how to manage their estate plan given that the life insurance payout, in the event of their death, would be significantly larger than their current assets. Vivian asks whether it's a red flag that their attorney's office manages investments, life insurance, and taxes in addition to legal services. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Jun 20, 2024•13 min
Many couples automatically assume that, after one spouse passes away, the survivor will retain control of everything. Certainly, that is the “default." However, many factors can complicate matters. Issues of trust, control, blended families, and separate finances mean it’s important to understand all your options before deciding on the best plan. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Jun 06, 2024•12 min
It's a mailbag edition of the show! We've got some great estate planning questions lined up for today's episode. Wesley asks if there's a way to financially support their parents while also ensuring their children are provided for in case something were to happen to them and their partner. Fiona asks whether the government still imposes an estate tax. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
May 16, 2024•9 min
Real estate is often the most valuable asset in your family's portfolio. Deciding on how to pass this asset on can be a high-stakes game with both significant risks and rewards. Today we're going to zero in on real estate and estate planning and explore the best strategies for passing on your property legacy. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
May 02, 2024•13 min
We're diving into the mailbag for today's episode! One listener asks whether they need to update their estate plan in the event of divorce. Another listener asks how to ensure that an ex-spouse cannot access the money they want to leave to their children. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Apr 18, 2024•11 min
In this episode, we're going to unpack the complexities surrounding Lisa Marie Presley's contested estate after her unexpected passing at age 54. As Priscilla Presley challenges her daughter's estate plan, we'll chat about the complexities of this case and the questions that have arisen from these last wishes. Join us for a deep dive into the intricacies of Presley's estate and the lessons that can be learned from it. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslaw...
Apr 04, 2024•15 min
We've got a mailbag edition of the show for you today! Ted is tackling 3 listener questions in this episode. Elise asks why she and her husband need to engage in estate planning now if they have each other listed as beneficiaries. Theo asks whether his brother, added as a co-owner of their father's assets, would legally be able to keep everything for himself after their father's death. Listen in as Ted answers these questions and more! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.al...
Mar 21, 2024•11 min
Do you think you have things figured out if your better half passes first? Think again. We're diving deep into what really happens—and spoiler, it's not always what you'd expect. From joint accounts to sneaky state laws, we're chatting about the big surprises and little-known loopholes that could throw a wrench in your plans. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Mar 07, 2024•14 min
In this episode, we'll be answering some mailbag questions from listeners like you. One listener asks whether the revocable trust they set up online serves as a replacement for a will. Another listener asks whether they still need a pour-over will if they have fully funded their trust. These conversations are a great way for you to learn from real-life financial planning questions and scenarios, so tune in to see what you can learn! Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm....
Feb 15, 2024•10 min
Many families choose a trust as the best way to manage and distribute their inheritance after they pass away. However, people are surprised to find out that they still need a will EVEN IF they have a trust. In this episode, we’ll explore some of the compelling reasons why this is the case. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Feb 01, 2024•10 min
This week, we're opening up the mailbag to answer 3 listener questions. These conversations provide a great opportunity for you to learn from real-life estate planning scenarios! Nathan wonders if there's a way to take care of children that don't exist yet in their estate planning. Sophia, a new grandmother, is keen on leaving money for her first grandchild's college but is unsure about planning for future grandchildren. Tune in to see how Ted advises these listeners and for ...
Jan 18, 2024•12 min
This episode is all about being one step ahead, when possible. We’ll tackle the 'what ifs' of estate planning and focus on future-proofing your legacy. We'll explore strategies to anticipate and address unforeseen events, from future grandchildren to beneficiary contingencies, and much more. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/
Jan 04, 2024•11 min
We've got 3 great mailbag questions for you today! Lucas asks if his brother, who is not planning to marry or have kids, should have an estate plan. Gerald asks if there are any special estate planning considerations when renting out property. Of course, we'll kick off this episode with a legalese of the day, and, in light of the season, chat a bit about the holidays as well. Contact: 718-233-2903 Website: https://www.alatsaslawfirm.com/...
Dec 21, 2023•11 min
