Planning & Estates Law Project
How to Access a Safe Deposit Box That is Part of An Estate
by Lynn ChenAugust 4, 2021
Lynn Chen is a staff attorney for the Planning & Estates Law Project. When a loved one dies, they can leave behind several accounts and belongings that family or friends will need to sort through. These belongings often include a safe deposit box. Accessing the safe deposit box can become an especially pressing concern if … Continue reading How to Access a Safe Deposit Box That is Part of An Estate
Read moreHow to File a Case After the Death of a Loved One in Surrogate’s Court on Your Own (ProSe)
by Lillian Claudio-Blum, Esq.January 4, 2021
This year has been a challenging one for many New Yorkers. The pandemic has suddenly taken many lives, and on top of grieving the loss of a loved one, many of our Planning and Estates Law Project clients are navigating the court system to handle the estates of family members that have passed.
Read moreHow a NYC Frontline Healthcare Worker Protected Her Family during the COVID-19 Outbreak
by Nancy LarcherAugust 26, 2020
As New York City became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Bar Justice Center’s (CBJC) Planning and Estates Law Project (PELP) stepped up to support our city’s dedicated frontline healthcare workers. In March 2020, with the support of outstanding pro bono collaborators, PELP launched an initiative to expand existing services to provide free remote legal assistance to our City’s frontline healthcare workers.
Read moreWhat You Should Do if a Family Member is Dying
by PELP StaffMarch 23, 2020
The anxiety stemming from the impending death of a family member after a struggle with a long-term illness or as a result of an unexpected illness such as COVID-19 makes focusing on routine financial matters that much harder and challenging. It is, however, just such circumstance that should motivate action in order to streamline and simplify what is required after death.
Read moreAdvanced Cancer: What Happens to My Medical Debt After I Die?
by Vivienne Duncan, Esq.December 18, 2018
Advanced cancer and medical debt A majority of New Yorkers will leave behind some amount of debt when they pass on. For those diagnosed with cancer, and especially those with advanced cancer, this may be of particular concern as they embark on medical treatment that could significantly impact their own, and their family’s, financial stability. … Continue reading Advanced Cancer: What Happens to My Medical Debt After I Die?
Read moreAging in Place: What Documents Do I Need and What Happens After My Death
by Marisa Guerrero and Brianna NoonanJuly 11, 2018
As we age, we find ourselves asking important questions such as: Should I have a plan in place to prepare for a health emergency? What happens if I become incapacitated? What happens after I die? The questions that accompany aging may seem daunting. That’s why the City Bar Justice Center’s Planning and Estates Law Project (PELP) has … Continue reading Aging in Place: What Documents Do I Need and What Happens After My Death
Read morePlanning and Estates Law Project Emergency Initiative
by CBJC StaffOctober 25, 2017
The Planning and Estates Law Project of the City Bar Justice Center is a resource for New Yorkers in need. PELP provides low-income New Yorkers with free legal assistance by preparing documents, providing assistance with probating wills and administering estates, and offering guidance on related matters.
Read moreProtecting Your Home from Deed Theft
by Marisa Guerrero and Brianna NoonanFebruary 10, 2017
Did you inherit your home after a family member passed away? Do you think you now own the home? Are you sure? You may think you own your home, but if you inherited the property from a deceased family member, it is possible that you are not yet the legal homeowner.
Read moreThe Importance of Updating Beneficiary Designations
by CBJC StaffAugust 30, 2016
Have you ever worked for the City of New York? The MTA? The New York City Transit Authority, New York City Housing Authority, or New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation? As an employee, you may have been eligible to pension benefits through the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS).
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