Timins Law Group Blog

Give Like Dolly: Making Your Legacy Count

Posted on September 11, 2026

Dolly Parton was much more than a singer and entertainer, she was a songwriter, businesswoman, and cultural icon whose impact extended far beyond her music (That is a pretty impressive list). Dolly Parton spent her lifetime building a remarkable legacy through her creative work, businesses, and philanthropy. One of Dolly’s most notable philanthropic endeavors (and closest to my heart) is her Imagination Library. While few of us will leave behind a legacy on the scale of Dolly Parton’s, her death is a reminder of an important estate planning question: What happens to the things we leave behind and how do we continue to care for the people and causes that were so important to us? When considering the legacy we

Medicaid Planning In 2026: How It Helps Protect Your Assets

Posted on September 11, 2026

Long term care is one of the fastest ways a family can lose financial stability. In a national survey, seventy percent of adults age sixty five and older will need some type of long term care during their lifetime(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). In New York, where care costs are often higher than the national average, the risk is even more intense for families who own a home, have retirement savings, or both. This is where Medicaid planning becomes a practical tool, not a loophole. Done correctly, it can help you qualify for benefits while legally protecting key assets like a primary residence for a spouse, certain income streams, and carefully structured savings. In this guide, you

Estate Planning in 2026: What It Is and Why It Matters More Than Ever

Posted on September 10, 2026

Most Americans still do not have an estate plan. In one of the most widely cited national surveys, two thirds of adults reported having no will (Caring.com, 2024). In New York, that gap can turn into court delays, family conflict, and avoidable costs because state rules take over when your wishes are not written down. You will learn what an estate plan includes, why it is important at every age, how the estate planning process typically works, and when to involve an estate planning attorney. We will also cover 2026 trends like digital assets, tighter fraud prevention at banks, and the continued normalization of remote signing workflows where legally permitted. What is estate planning? Estate planning is the legal and practical process

Estate Planning Documents: The 2026 Ultimate Guide To What You Actually Need

Posted on September 9, 2026

Most families do not fail because they do not care. They fail because they never put the right estate planning documents in place before a crisis hits. In the most cited national benchmark, only about one third of US adults have a will (Caring.com, 2024). That gap matters more in 2026 because families are juggling longer lifespans, blended households, digital assets, and more complex healthcare decisions. This guide explains what documents should be included in an estate plan and why each one matters. You will learn the core legal documents, the supporting documents people forget, and how to match them to real life situations like incapacity, long term care, and probate. You will also see common mistakes we regularly fix

Will Vs Trust in 2026: Do You Need a Will or a Trust for Your Estate?

Posted on September 8, 2026

More than half of US adults do not have a will which means many families still face avoidable cost delay and conflict after a death (Caring.com, 2024). In New York that risk can be amplified by high housing values blended families and a growing number of older adults planning for long term care. If you have ever wondered will vs trust you are not alone and the right answer often depends on what you own who you want to protect and how much privacy and control you want during life and after death. In this guide you will learn when a will is enough when a living trust makes sense and how revocable trust planning fits into a modern estate

Pied-a-Terre Means Paying Your “Fair Share”

Posted on August 14, 2026

New York City’s budget is over $120 Billion a year, more than the national budgets of Ireland and Portugal combined. Someone has to pay all these bills, and it may be you. The Pied-a-Terre tax (PAT) – a “second home” tax – was passed on the assumption people owned NYC real estate and probably worked in the City, but since they hated paying NYC income taxes, they bought another home in the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore which they claimed was their actual domicile, thereby minimizing their overall income tax bill. If you have enough money to purchase a second home in New York City: Congratulations, you’ve earned it (or more likely, you inherited it). But if you

No, An NYC Mayor Cannot Create an Estate Tax (But What if He Could?)

Posted on March 27, 2026

No, An NYC Mayor Cannot Create an Estate Tax (But What if He Could?) Last week, in a move that surprised no one who was listening to his campaign promises, the NYC Mayor proposed to decrease New York’s current estate tax exemption from $7,350,000 to $750,000, and increase its highest estate tax rate from 16% to 50%. And while it only took 30 seconds for middle class New Yorkers to realize they were considered the people “not paying their fair share”, it didn’t dawn on them that they have another 3 ¾ years with this guy in charge. Before some of you start succumbing to another bout of Mandami Derangement Syndrome, let me remind you that a Mayor

Creditor Protection and Asset Protection Trusts: Part 2

Posted on March 6, 2026

Asset Protection Trusts From lawsuits to tax liens, unpaid medical bills to divorcing spouses, your hard-earned money and inheritances are a loud dinner bell for hungry creditors waiting to feast on your assets. But do not fear, Asset Protection Planning is here! This is the 2nd Part of the webinar discussing the following topics: Using Revocable Trusts for Beneficiary Protection Medicaid Trusts & Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts Using Trusts in Asset Protection States Using Offshore Trusts To view part 1: Click Here The webinar’s speakers are: Daniel Timins, Esq., CFP® Timins Law Group Estate and Elder Law Attorney

Creditor Protection and Asset Protection Trusts: Part 1

Posted on March 2, 2026

From lawsuits to tax liens, unpaid medical bills to divorcing spouses, your hard-earned money and inheritances are a loud dinner bell for hungry creditors waiting to feast on your assets. But do not fear, Asset Protection Planning is here! This Two-Part webinar discusses the following topics: Part 1: Protections for Retirement Plans & Life Insurance Which Post-Mortem Creditors You Can Beat Why LLCs Only Provide Limited Creditor Protection Using Your Spouse as a Creditor Defender and How to Defend from Your Soon-to-Be Ex-Spouse. Click here to watch Part 2! The webinar’s speakers are: Daniel Timins, Esq., CFP® Timins Law Group Estate and Elder Law Attorney

Lawyers Explain How to Protect Your Money From Predators

Posted on February 17, 2026

Do you know how easy it is for someone to steal your identity? Are you aware of how quickly someone can access your credit? How much money can someone steal from you in the next week? And most importantly: How do I protect myself from financial predators?! This Webinar will discuss: • Recognizing money theft and identity theft before they happen • Easy and reliable ways to freeze your credit • Shielding your identity from theft • Ways to fix your credit and restore the integrity of your identity • Simple steps you can take to ensure no one steals your money ever again The webinar’s speakers are: Daniel Timins, Esq., CFP® Timins Law Group Estate and Elder Law Attorney

Hey Expats: Come Home to Get Your Family’s Money

Posted on February 16, 2026

Hey Expats: Come Home to Get Your Family’s Money Despite the flaccid threats of political naysayers who threaten to leave the country after every presidential election (only to realize the United States is a markedly better place to live than countries with poutine, meme bans and gulags), some Americans actually do leave the U.S. on a near permanent basis. These novice ambassadors of American culture do typically maintain their U.S. citizenship for several reasons, some of which have to do with maintaining some financial benefit. But being an expat – or having an expatriated citizen be a beneficiary or fiduciary of your Estate – can lead to a lot of Estate Planning challenges, and post-mortem difficulties that