Law & Mediation Office of Bracha Etengoff

07/30/2025

Next in my posts (and forthcoming e-book!) on resources for executors and their families: the role of the financial advisor.

When I saw my doctor for a recent routine physical and she asked if I had a Healthcare Proxy, boy, was that ever a wake-up call!

04/15/2025

Anyone have a difficult experience with an executor? 🙋‍♀️

Would someone else have been a better choice? 🤔

Another family member/friend, or an attorney/accountant? 💼

Read on for 6 factors for choosing an executor! 📣

Any other factors?❓

Or Thanksgiving host factors? 🦃

"Who will your family choose to host Thanksgiving this year?

Even more importantly – who WON'T you choose to host Thanksgiving?"

https://www.brachalaw.com/how-to-choose-your-thanksgiving-host-and-executor/

A careful estate planning attorney should work with you to help you think through these factors to choose the best executor for your and your family’s needs.

03/05/2025

Happy 15th Birthday (more or less) to my dear Dakota!

He's now "76" & classified as "geriatric" (rude!).

Caught in a trap, then surrendered to the shelter when a prior owner's landlord discovered him - that's how I found him.

Besides my serenading over the years, I'm pretty sure this is a better life!

*Where are my fellow senior pet parents at?

*What challenges are you facing?

*Did you plan for your pet in your will or trust?

*Who to leave them too, and how much money to go with them?

*Did your estate planning lawyer ask you about fur babies - not just human ones?

Dakota's recovering from hepatitis now - he's a trooper! - so I'm living my own advice:

Medical care will probably be more expensive as they age.

Reach out if you want help planning for your fur baby!

02/25/2025

❓What if executors could head to one FREE website to guide them? 🖥️

❓ What if it included practical Articles on estate issues, like:

• What is an executor’s fee – and should you take one? 💲
• How to do an estate cleanout 👚
• How to process your grief

❓ What if it also included an Estate Service Providers Directory to guide you with those issues – or take them off your plate? 📖

Like probate lawyers, professional organizers, and grief counselors – sortable by YOUR county? 👩‍💼

And had links to guides for executors, like the American Bar Association’s Guidelines for Individual Executors & Trustees? 📚

And even directed you to courts and government agencies relevant to probate – also sortable BY COUNTY? 👩‍⚖️

Too good to be true, you say?

It was. But now – thanks to George Compton - www.executorium.com does all this! https://www.facebook.com/Executorium

For appointed executors, administrators, personal representatives – and designated executors in loved ones’ wills who want to get a head start.

👨‍🏫 Learn more from his guest post on my blog: It Took an Executor to Build Executorium.com

***What did YOU wish you’d known as an executor/administrator?
⬇️ Tell us in the comments!

https://www.brachalaw.com/it-took-an-executor-to-build-executorium-com/

For many, attending or hosting a family gathering can feel like navigating a minefield. Here are some tips for this holiday season.

02/05/2025

Why use a trust to buy a home?

And how the heck do you do it?

I joined two awesome colleagues on Rock the Closing to talk real estate.

Trusts live happy lives outside of court, so they can save your estate tremendous expense & delays.

Vs. waiting months or (in my “favorite” case) a whole YEAR for probate of even a straightforward will in downstate NY.

Once you’ve identified a property to buy – you’re much better off setting up a trust for it right then.

Your estate planning attorney can advise on which kind of trust is right for you.

And s/he can coordinate with your real estate attorney - to ensure the property is PUT INTO the trust!

Because often people set up fancy trusts later – but never “fund” them with assets.

Shoutout to hosts & real estate attorDalia ChaudhriudhOrsolya Barthaartha! Our synergy’s amazing and the end result was 🔥. Give us a listen. 🙂

Failing to prepare for diminished financial capacity can leave us vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Here's what you should know.

01/09/2025

The time has come,
The hour is nigh.
Let the circle be unbroken,
Please reply now, by & by.

12/24/2024

Happy Hanumas from Law & Mediation Office of Bracha Etengoff!

✡️ Tonight I’ll eat chopped liver by my host’s Christmas tree.🎄

🎶 After going caroling 🎼

🕎 Tomorrow I’ll light the menorah. 🕯️

I understand this is not everyone’s cup of tea. 🫖

Still, Merry Chrismukkah to all! 😉

❔Anyone else have multi-faith celebrations planned? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏾‍♂️

08/01/2024

Listen to your lawyer!

07/22/2024

05/19/2024

Spring has finally sprung! 🌸🌺🌸

03/28/2024

Protect yourself & loved ones from diminished financial capacity:

1. Add a Trusted Contact Person to Brokerage Accounts:
If your broker suspects you’re being scammed or can’t reach you, they can contact this person.

2. Organize & Store Financial Documents Securely & Accessibly:
Inform trusted loved ones of the location and/or provide them with copies.

3. Share Your Financial & Legal Professionals’ Contact Information:
Include your financial adviser, estate planning attorney, and accountant.

4. Update Financial Account Information Regularly:
Include new accounts and changes in trusted contacts.

5. Ask your Lawyer about a Durable Power of Attorney:
Enable someone you trust to make financial and legal decisions if you cannot.

6. Utilize the Social Security Advance Designation:
Name someone you trust to manage your benefits if you become unable to do so.

7. Review your Investment Portfolio:
Ensure the risk level and allocations align with your age, financial and medical status, and potential increases in healthcare costs.

⬇️ Types of elder financial abuse & resources to fight it are here too.

Failing to prepare for diminished financial capacity can leave us vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Here's what you should know.