The majority of Americans have not created an estate plan. With our busy lives, it can be challenging to sit down and create a last will and testament. In some cases, people will try to make a DIY will and store it in a filing cabinet. Perhaps someone has become ill and decides to quickly […]
Blog | Estate, Bankruptcy and Trusts
How to Probate a Will in New York
Trying to cope with a loved one’s death is a challenging and overwhelming process. Coping with the emotional devastation of losing a loved one is hard enough, but thinking about going through the probate process can seem even more challenging. If you are a surviving family member, you probably have questions about probating your loved […]
How Much Debt Do I Need to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Are your bills past due? Are you worried about how you will be able to keep your vehicle or avoid foreclosure? If so, you may be concerned about how you can dig yourself out of your debt and protect your financial future. Filing for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy could be your best option for starting […]
What Happens to Your Bank Account When You File Chapter 7?
If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you may have questions about what will happen to your bank account. How will you be able to pay your bills if you are in the bankruptcy process? Will the bankruptcy court completely take over your bank account? Many of our new clients have legitimate fears about the […]
Should I Put My House in a Trust?
More people than ever have decided to create living trusts as part of their estate plans. Many benefits come with using a trust-based estate plan. For example, you will avoid the often time-consuming and expensive probate process when you place your assets in a trust. Your loved ones will have access to the property in […]
Should I File for Bankruptcy or Debt Relief?
Many Americans are struggling to pay their monthly bills as the coronavirus pandemic continues. When you cannot afford to pay your bills each month, it can become easy to be overwhelmed by debt. For many, the more they try to catch up on paying their bills, the further behind and deeper in debt they become. […]
Can I Keep My Cell Phone During a Bankruptcy?
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many business owners and individuals are struggling to pay their bills. Bankruptcy is a helpful solution for many Florida residents who are unable to pay their bills. Unfortunately, many people are afraid of filing for bankruptcy due to misplaced optimism, myths, or fears. One of the concerns related to bankruptcy […]
How Much Does an Estate Need to be Worth to Go to Probate Court in New York?
In New York, the probate court has the responsibility of distributing a deceased person’s assets after their death. Probate proceedings occur in a particular court, called the surrogate’s court, located in the county where the decedent was living when they died. When a person dies with a will in place, the probate court will distribute […]
Five Tips for Incapacity Planning
Incapacity planning is one of the most important parts of estate plans. At the Law Offices of Barton P. Levine, we have helped many clients successfully plan for their future needs. Many Americans will end up needing long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a 65-year-old today has a nearly […]
The Two Types of Consumer Bankruptcy
Shutdowns related to the coronavirus have caused significant financial hardship for many Americans. Many Americans have added to their credit card debt to pay their bills after being laid off or having their work hours reduced. The federal government and state governments have provided some protection for consumers, placing moratoriums on landlords’ ability to evict […]
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