Berwitz & DiTata LLP Is Fully Operational During COVID-19 We hope this message finds you and your family well during these difficult times. We will continue to be here for you to ensure that your issues and concerns are addressed as smoothly as possible, however we have adjusted how we conduct business in these unprecedented...
Category: Articles
Here or There: Which State Do You Call Home?
We have many clients who divide their time between New York and another state, often Florida. If you spend significant time in two different states, there may be a question as to where you actually reside. The question is more complicated than where you spend the most time — and the answer can really matter....
The SECURE Act Its Affect on Retirement Accounts — How It Hurts
In our summer issue of A Step Ahead, we discussed the differences between two pieces of legislation each of which would, if enacted, have far-reaching affects on retirement accounts: one that had passed in the House of Representatives, the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act,” also called the SECURE Act, and the other...
New Medicare Cards
The Social Security Administration will be issuing new Medicare cards. This is because the Medicare number in the old system was based on Social Security numbers (SSN). Recent legislation requires the removal of the SSN from the Medicare card to protect against the risk of identity theft. Beginning this year, the SSN will be replaced...
Protecting Your Pet’s Future
Pets are frequently overlooked in the aftermath of an accident or death. Sometimes pets are only discovered days after a tragedy. Many of our clients and friends have never considered what would happen to their pets if something unexpected happened to them. What can you do to protect your pet’s future? While pet owners...
A Parting Gift to Your Family: Plan Your Own Funeral
Grieving family members are usually not in the best state of mind to be making financial decisions. This is exactly what they must do when a loved one dies. It’s easy to let emotions, and costs, get out of control. Currently, although this may change, funerals are not something that we can shop for...
Finding Relatives Through DNA Testing: Sibling Rights
In our last issue we discussed the inheritance rights of adopted children who later found biological family through DNA testing. With the increasing popularity of DNA testing, connecting with lost relatives is becoming easier. These connections can affect your own estate plan but also your obligations if you serve as the fiduciary of another’s estate....
The Benefits of Using Your IRA to Make Charitable Contributions
In the last edition of our newsletter, we discussed the anticipated changes relating to IRAs and other qualified retirement accounts. Since that newsletter issued, nothing much has changed. The House of Representatives passed the SECURE Act and the Senate version, RESA, still has not been the subject of a vote. While it is anticipated that...
A Home for Sunshine
Sunshine is a beautiful, brown and white, 12 year old long-haired Dachshund. She loves people, children and other dogs. Sunshine’s owner is a client of ours. Unfortunately, Sunshine’s owner can no longer remain at home. Her chief concern was not for herself but for Sunshine, who had always lived in a loving home. Her greatest...
When Should My Estate Plan Be Reviewed?
There is no question but that our best plans are affected by the passage of time. As we move through life’s stages, we experience change. We may marry or divorce, move to another state or county, change jobs or careers, have children or grandchildren. Sometimes the people we feel closest to move away or, for...