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Legal Insights

Substantive perspectives on family law, estate planning, trusts, and private client matters — written for individuals and families navigating complex legal decisions.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Generational Wealth Protection Through Prenuptial Agreements

Generational wealth requires more than trusts and estate planning. A New York attorney explains how prenuptial agreements protect family wealth across marriages and generations.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
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8 min read
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February 10, 2026
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Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Postnuptial Agreements in New York: When and How They Work

Postnuptial agreements in New York let married couples define property rights mid-marriage. A New York attorney explains when they make sense and what courts require for enforceability.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
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7 min read
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February 3, 2026
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Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Are Prenuptial Agreements Enforceable in New York?

Are prenuptial agreements enforceable in New York? A New York attorney explains what courts require, the most common challenges, and how to draft a prenup that actually holds up.

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
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8 min read
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February 5, 2026
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Probate & Estate Administration

How to Avoid Probate in New York: A Practical Guide

How to avoid probate in New York — and when you actually want to. A New York attorney explains the tools that bypass Surrogate's Court and the planning that ties them together.

Probate & Estate Administration
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8 min read
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May 7, 2026
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Probate & Estate Administration

Contesting a Will in New York: Grounds, Process, and Practical Realities

Contesting a Will in New York is harder than most people think. A New York attorney explains the recognized grounds, the procedural realities, and when a contest actually makes sense.

Probate & Estate Administration
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8 min read
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January 6, 2026
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Probate & Estate Administration

How Long Does Probate Take in New York?

How long does probate take in New York? An attorney walks through realistic timelines for simple, complex, and contested estates — and what causes the delays.

Probate & Estate Administration
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7 min read
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March 12, 2026
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Probate & Estate Administration

The New York Probate Process: A Complete Guide

What happens when someone dies in New York? A New York attorney explains the probate process step by step — timelines, costs, and the issues that complicate high-net-worth estates.

Probate & Estate Administration
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9 min read
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March 17, 2026
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Estate Planning

Dynasty Trusts in New York: Building Wealth That Lasts Generations

Dynasty trusts can protect family wealth across generations from estate tax, creditors, and divorce. A New York attorney explains how they work and when they make sense.

Estate Planning
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8 min read
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March 24, 2026
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Estate Planning

How to Choose the Right Trustee for Your New York Trust

Choosing a trustee is harder than choosing a beneficiary. A New York attorney explains the tradeoffs between family, professional, and corporate trustees — and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Estate Planning
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7 min read
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March 26, 2026
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Estate Planning

The New York Estate Tax Cliff: Why Being Just Over the Threshold Costs Millions

New York's estate tax cliff can cost a family millions for being slightly over the exemption. A New York attorney explains the rule and the strategies that avoid it.

Estate Planning
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7 min read
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March 31, 2026
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Estate Planning

Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts in New York: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Revocable or irrevocable trust? The choice affects your taxes, your creditors, and your control. A New York attorney explains when each one actually makes sense.

Estate Planning
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8 min read
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April 9, 2026
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Estate Planning

The 7 Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes High-Net-Worth New Yorkers Make

The most common — and most expensive — estate planning mistakes high-net-worth New Yorkers make, and how to avoid them. A practical guide from a Long Island attorney.

Estate Planning
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8 min read
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April 21, 2026
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High-Net-Worth Divorce

Spousal Maintenance in High-Income New York Divorces

How spousal maintenance is calculated in high-income New York divorces, how the income cap works, and what factors drive deviations from the statutory formula.

High-Net-Worth Divorce
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7 min read
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April 23, 2026
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High-Net-Worth Divorce

Hidden Assets in High-Net-Worth Divorce: How Forensic Accounting Works

How forensic accounting uncovers hidden assets in New York high-net-worth divorce. Common concealment patterns, investigative techniques, and legal remedies.

High-Net-Worth Divorce
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8 min read
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May 7, 2026
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High-Net-Worth Divorce

How Is a Business Valued in a New York Divorce?

How is a business valued in a New York divorce? An overview of valuation methods, the active/passive distinction, and what business owners need to know.

High-Net-Worth Divorce
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8 min read
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April 30, 2026
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High-Net-Worth Divorce

Are Trusts Protected in a New York Divorce? A Guide for High-Net-Worth Spouses

Are trusts protected in a New York divorce? It depends on who created the trust, when, and how it was funded. A guide for high-net-worth spouses.

High-Net-Worth Divorce
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7 min read
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May 4, 2026
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High-Net-Worth Divorce

Equitable Distribution in New York: What "Fair" Actually Means

Equitable distribution in a New York divorce does not mean a 50/50 split. A guide to how marital property is actually divided and what factors drive the outcome.

High-Net-Worth Divorce
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7 min read
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May 5, 2026
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About These Insights

Insights from Michel Law on the legal issues that affect high-net-worth New York families. New articles published regularly.

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