You may have heard the term ‘common law marriage’ referring to people who live together and consider themselves married, but who have not obtained a legal marriage license. It’s important to know that common law marriage is recognized in very few...
Welcome to the final part of our Probate series. In previous blogs, we discussed what probate is, how long probate can take, and some of the pros and cons of probate. For one reason or another, many individuals seek the advice of an experienced attorney to create an...
Without fail, the term “probate” always comes up in a conversation about a deceased person’s estate. In a previous blog, we discussed what probate is. But when we dig deeper into a deceased individual’s finances and examine their assets, we often discover that there...
What Is an Executor and How Do I Choose a Good One? Choosing the right Executor is extremely important. Why? An Executor is the person (or persons or institution) named in one’s Last Will and Testament (“Will”) whose job it is to carry out the duties and wishes set...
How Long Does Probate Take? Short Answer: It Depends Probate is the process of submitting a deceased person’s Last Will and Testament (“Will”) to a court in order for a judge to determine if the Will was properly signed and if it is valid. The Executor named in the...
Only 1/3 of Adult Americans Have a Will — Do You? August is National Make-a-Will Month. Why a national observance about Wills? A Will is important. It is, essentially, your last chance to have your requests (ie: your ‘will’) be known. Yet, only about...
Since 1991, Makofsky Valente Law Group, P.C. (and its predecessor firms), consisting of a compassionate team of attorneys, paralegals and support staff, has devoted its efforts to providing competent and caring legal services in the areas of Elder Law, Trust and Estates, Probate and Estate Administration, Medicaid Planning and Applications, Guardianships, and Special Needs Planning. Founding Partner, Ellen G. Makofsky, is a Certified Elder Law Attorney ("CELA").*
