Berwitz & DiTata LLP

Check out our new video series answering your estate planning questions. Our first series of videos, discussing the probate process, are available on our click on the video tab. https://www.berwitz-ditata.com/ Join attorney Kristi DiPaolo on January 28, 2021 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for our monthly live program "Coffee with Kristi." This month she will answer your questions regarding the importance of Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies and Living Wills. ... The program will be conducted via Zoom. To register please click on the link below or call 516-747-3200 and ask for Arlene. https://cutt.ly/XjOwTFj

At Berwitz & DiTata LLP, we believe that lifetime planning is at least as important as planning for after death and that no plan is complete without a carefully drafted and thorough power of attorney. A power of attorney designates a person, called the agent, to make decisions and take responsibility for managing the principal’s property. Agents, even those who are well-meaning, do not always understand their responsibilities and principals may not always understand the authority placed in the hands of their agent. This article is intended to debunk some common misconceptions.

Last year, we advised our readers of a tax savings strategy that involved funding charitable contributions with their required minimum distributions or RMDs. We wish to remind those who anticipate making charitable contributions before year-end to review our article entitled The Benefits of Using Your IRA to Make Charitable Contributions. For your convenience, we have placed a link to the article on the home page of our website.

The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) is an independent agency of the United States government created to protect depositors of FDIC insured banks and savings associations against loss due to the failure of the insured bank.

CHRISTINA A. SAMMARTINO After earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in legal studies in business from Hofstra University, Christina A. Sammartino obtained her law degree from Pace University School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in both the state of New York and in New Jersey.... Christina focuses her practice of law on estate planning, trust and estate administration, guardianship proceedings under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law, Medicaid planning and applications.