Unpermitted work or additions to a home without municipal certificates of occupancy or completion is any construction done on a home without the necessary legal permits and final municipal approvals. Sometimes former homeowners may finish the basement, add a deck, add...
The firm handled the recent acquisition by Lee & Low Books of New York of the assets of El Paso, Texas-based Cinco Puntos Press, Inc. The acquisition brings together two notable independent publishers and enhances the New York-based publisher’s inventory of...
Before you move forward with purchasing a home in New York, you may want to take certain steps to make sure it is suitable for living and has no major defects. You also need to determine the home’s true value so that you know whether you are paying a fair price....
As you contemplate initiating your estate planning in New York, a stark realization may hit: your decisions regarding the dispersal of your assets may upset some of your potential beneficiaries. Indeed, the last thing you want to do is cause contention amongst those...
Perhaps you are an architect looking at a stylish Victorian that would be perfect for your new offices. However, the house has been vacant a long time. Before you purchase the property, a quiet title action may be in order. Understanding quiet title The purpose of a...
Significant updates to the power of attorney (POA) law in New York were implemented on June 13, 2021. Existing POAs and statutory gift riders will not be affected, provided that they were executed under the provisions prior to the changes. The purpose of the revisions...
If you are like many adults in New York, then it may not be unreasonable to assume that you have not begun the estate planning process. Indeed, studies show that a majority of adults in the state (and throughout the rest of the U.S.) do not have wills. Your delay in...
When someone dies and leaves a will, most of the time the estate goes through probate. Probate is the legal process in which the judge makes sure everyone involved follows the terms of the will. If a loved one of yours died, you may be wondering what to expect from...
You are never too young to have an estate plan in place. Even for people just starting out in their careers, estate planning offers multiple protections. According to U.S. News & World Report, there are certain essential items to include in your estate plan,...
Preparing your home for sale in New York can be both an exciting and stressful time. Regardless of market conditions, pricing your home the right way can facilitate a successful sale. Determining a fair and competitive price for your home is a lot more than slapping a...
