Hodella Law, PLLC

02/14/2026

Today, we celebrate more than just love — we celebrate commitment, trust, and the relationships that matter most. At Hodella Law, we’re grateful for the confidence our clients, colleagues, friends, and community place in us every day.

Whether you’re spending the day with someone special, your family, your friends, or simply taking time for yourself, we hope it’s filled with appreciation, kindness, and a little extra joy.

Wishing you a safe and happy Valentine’s Day!

01/12/2023

🗣 IMPORTANT information to get your affairs in order‼️

💰Make sure all bank accounts have direct beneficiaries. The beneficiary need only go to the bank with your death certificate and an ID of their own.

🏡 TOD = Transfer On Death deed if you own a home. Completing this document and filing it with your county saves your heirs THOUSANDS. This document allows you to transfer ownership of your home to your designee. All they need to do is take their ID and your death certificate to the county building and the deed is signed over. Doing this will avoid the home having to go through probate.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Living Will: Allows one to put in writing exactly what you want done in the event you cannot speak for yourself when it comes to healthcare decisions as well as other final decisions.

👩🏽‍⚖️Durable Power of Attorney: Allows one to designate a person to make legal decisions if you are no longer competent to do so.

🏥Power of Attorney for Healthcare: This document allows one to designate someone to make healthcare decisions for them.

🛍Last Will and Testament: Designates to whom personal belongings will go to.

🪦Funeral Planning Declaration: Allows one to say exactly one’s wishes as far as disposition of the body and the services.

If the above documents are done, you can AVOID probate.

If all the above is not done, you have to open an estate account at the bank. All money that doesn’t have direct beneficiaries goes into this account. You have to have an attorney to open the estate account. The attorney also has to publicize your passing in the newspaper or post publication at the county courthouse, to allow anyone to make a claim on your property. - It’s a complete PAIN.

📚 💳Make a list of all banks and account numbers, all investment institutions with account numbers, lists of credit cards, utility accounts, etc. Leave clear instructions as to how and when these things are paid.

Make sure heirs know where life insurance policies are located. 📂

📝Make 100% sure SOMEONE knows your Apple ID, bank ID account logins and passwords!

🚗 Make sure you have titles for all vehicles, campers, etc!

Set up a TRUST for intended beneficiaries, especially those that are too young, and appoint a trustee of said trust.

MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!! - Talk with those closest to you and make all your wishes KNOWN. Talk to those whom you’ve designated, as well as those close to you whom you did not designate. - Do this to explain why your decisions were made and to avoid any lingering questions or hurt feelings.

⚡️Hope this helps! ⚡️Hope this lights a spark to encourage all your friends and family to take care of these things to make it easier for those we all leave behind!

My hope is that the above list at least helps you start an important conversation with your loved ones...

(REPOST-I DID) and it’s a very necessary conversation

Hodella Law is here to help you with these needs. Call for a free consultation at 631-862-5100.

11/11/2022

12/24/2021

We would like to wish all our clients and friend's happy holidays! This holiday season might be hard for some people. Our doors are always open. Please contact us for any questions or concerns, 631-862-5100.

02/11/2021

We are please to announce our new location! As of February 15th we will be located at 131 Route 25A, Rocky Point, New York 11778. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to servicing your legal needs! 631-862-5100

12/30/2020

Hodella Law would like to wish all our clients and friends a Happy and Healthly New Year! We know how challenging this year has been for many people. We are here to help with your legal needs. Kris is happy to do a zoom meeting or speak on the phone if you would like to stay home. Please call our office at 631-862-5100. Looking forward to a much better 2021!