Beress & Zalkind PLLC

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

For many families, the greatest financial risk in retirement is not estate tax. It is the possibility that one spouse will require years of home care, assisted living, or nursing home care.

A family may have done everything that traditionally seemed responsible. They paid off their mortgage, accumulated retirement accounts, maintained savings, and prepared a Will. Then a stroke, a diagnosis of dementia, a fall, or another medical event suddenly changes the financial picture. The question is no longer simply, “Who receives my property when I die?” It becomes, “How do I pay for care without exhausting everything we spent a lifetime accumulating?”

That is where Medicaid planning becomes part of estate planning.

For many families, the greatest financial risk in retirement is not estate tax. It is the possibility that one spouse will require years of home care, assisted living, or nursing […]

08/17/2026

Большинство людей не любят принимать решения, которые невозможно изменить. Именно поэтому многие с опасением относятся к созданию безотзывного (Irrevocable) траста: само слово «безотзывной» звучит так, будто речь идет о чем-то окончательном, жестком и неизменном.

Такая реакция вполне понятна. Никому не хочется передавать свое имущество в юридическую структуру, которая не сможет адаптироваться к изменившимся жизненным обстоятельствам.

Большинство людей не любят принимать решения, которые невозможно изменить. Именно поэтому многие с опасением относятся к созданию безотзывного (Irrevocable) траста: сам...

08/17/2026

Supplemental Security Income, commonly known as SSI, must remain within strict financial limits. In 2026, an SSI recipient generally may have no more than $2,000 in countable resources for an individual or $3,000 for an eligible couple. These limits apply to countable resources, not necessarily to everything the recipient owns.

So what happens when an SSI recipient suddenly receives an inheritance, settlement, retroactive payment, or other substantial amount of money?

Supplemental Security Income, commonly known as SSI, must remain within strict financial limits. In 2026, an SSI recipient generally may have no more than $2,000 in countable resources for an […]

08/03/2026

Once people learn what the probate process involves, many begin looking for ways to avoid it. There are several ways to do so; you can add a beneficiary to a bank account, place a child on the deed of their home, create a joint tenancy, or create a trust.

However, effective estate planning involves much more than simply avoiding probate. A well-designed estate plan should also address incapacity, protect assets, minimize unnecessary expenses and taxes, and maximize the value ultimately received by the beneficiaries. Accordingly, the best approach is generally a coordinated trust plan that is carefully tailored to the individual’s circumstances.

All Estate Plans Are Not Created Equal Once people learn what the probate process involves, many begin looking for ways to avoid it. There are several ways to do so; […]

07/30/2026

2026 Annual Summer Beress & Zalkind Firm outing

07/21/2026

"Irrevocable" sounds permanent, rigid, and impossible to change. So it’s no surprise many people hesitate to set one up. But the word doesn't mean what most people think!

We put together this quick breakdown to help you visualize how an irrevocable trust actually works:

07/20/2026

“Irrevocable” Does Not Mean What You Think It Does

Most people hate the idea of making a decision they can never undo. For that reason, many are hesitant to create an irrevocable trust: the word “irrevocable” makes it sound permanent, rigid, and impossible to change.

“Irrevocable” Does Not Mean What You Think It Does Most people hate the idea of making a decision they can never undo. For that reason, many are hesitant to create […]

07/15/2026

Why You Should Create a Retirement Trust

For most people, a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k) represents a lifetime of hard work, disciplined saving, and careful planning. You may expect to use most of those funds during retirement, but life does not always unfold as anticipated. Your investments may grow more than expected, or changes in your health or lifestyle may result in less spending than you originally planned.

The Missing Piece in Your Retirement Plan For most people, a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k) represents a lifetime of hard work, disciplined saving, and careful planning. You […]