Wills, Trusts, & Estate Planning › Civil Rights › Family Law

Estate Planning Alert: New Civil Marriage Law Could Increase Income Tax Costs, May Offer Estate Tax Benefits

On May 14, 2013, Governor Dayton signed a bill modifying Minnesota Statutes Sections 517 and 518. The bill enacts changes in Minnesota's marriage law, effective August 1, 2013....more

The Estate Tax Consequences of the Defense of Marriage Act for Same-Sex Couples

As of January 1, 2013, the Civil Marriage Protection Act legalized same-sex marriage in the State of Maryland. From the estate-planning perspective, the passage of this law clarified many points that had been problematic for...more

Same-Sex Marriage Cases in 90 Seconds [Video]

Jan. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Will the U.S. Supreme Court weigh in on same-sex marriage, or sidestep the issue? Oral arguments are scheduled for March 26th and March 27th. Expect rulings in June. This video, from Bloomberg...more

Unequal Same-Sex Marriage: Legal Protection for NY Couples

New York began recognizing same-sex marriage in 2011. However, matrimony is not enough to protect your rights. Although same-sex couples are granted the same privileges and obligations as heterosexual partners within New...more

Windsor Upheld

Earlier this year, I discussed the Windsor case wherein a federal district court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and allowed a marital deduction in the estate of a deceased same-sex spouse for...more

Federal Estate Tax Equality for Same-Sex Couples

On June 6, 2012, in Windsor v. United States, U.S. District Judge Barbara Jones in the Southern District of New York granted summary judgment to Edith Windsor and created a precedent that is likely to positively affect...more

Power of Attorney Critical for LGBT Couples

If you are a gay, lesbian or unmarried heterosexual couple, have you considered what role you would play in your partner’s healthcare should they become incapacitated and unable to communicate? In critical situations, a...more

New York State Appeals Court Recognizes Canadian Gay Marriage

Article discussion a of a NEw York State appeals court has cleared the way for a same-sex spouse to inherit the estate of his deceased partner. ...more

Same-Sex Marriage

A significant number of states allow same-sex couples to get married, or offer alternative legal arrangements to same-sex couples, providing most or all of the legal rights associated with marriage. However, these states are...more

A Legal Guide for Domestic Partners in Texas

Domestic partners, whether same sex or opposite sex, often inquire about what documents they need in place to ensure that their children are taken care of, their partner is protected, and/or that their wishes are carried out....more

Nursing Home Neglect

NURSING HOME NEGLECT You Have Rights! ...more

Stegeman v Lillig

Appellant's Brief

After three and a half years to file an Appeal, a disabled, pro se litigant, filed the instant Brief. Since the matter had to do with fraud upon the court by officers of the court to obtain rulings in their favors, we really...more

In The Matter Of The Trusts To Be Established In The Matter Of The Estate Of Margaret A. Flood

Order

On July 10, 2009, Judge Patricia Del Bueno Cleary, a Superior Court Judge in Monmouth County, NJ, entered an Order authorizing the Administrator of an intestate estate to establish two Supplemental Benefits Trusts within an...more

G.L. v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services

Decision and Order

In this case, the applicant’s Medicaid eligibility plan involved making a loan to a relative. The borrowing relative signed a promissory note agreeing to repay the note in monthly installments, including interest. The note...more

Whether in Tennessee, children born-out-of-wedlock are entitled to recover all, some or none of the proceeds of a life insurance...

Whether in Tennessee, children born-out-of-wedlock are entitled to recover all, some or none of the proceeds of a life insurance policy for a deceased parent. Must the child be listed as an intended beneficiary or may the...more

In The Matter Of The Estate Of Leonard Manko

Order

In the Matter of the Estate of Leonard Manko - Order Authorizing Reformation of Testamentary Trust. This Order amended the existing testamentary trust in the will of Leonard Manko to establish a testamentary Supplemental...more

In re Keri

Petition For Certification On Behalf Of Petitioner, Richard Keri

This is the brief we filed in support of a petition for certification to the New Jersey Supreme Court in the In re Keri case. The case was accepted by the Supreme Court and the Court ultimately ruled in our favor, ruling, for...more