Merlino & Gonzalez August 2018

August 2018

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IN A MANOR OF SPEAKING

20 YEARS OF COLLABORATION AND FRIENDSHIP

My Work With Merlino & Gonzalez

No law firm can provide exemplary service to their clients without the help of other professionals. That’s why we’re so lucky to be able to refer Mark A. Coller when we have clients in need of a CPA. I’ve known Mark for 20 years. During that time, he’s become not just a trusted colleague, but also a great friend. We like to think of him as a not-so-distant cousin in the Merlino & Gonzalez family tree.

tax work and small-business accounting. When I work with Merlino & Gonzalez, it’s often to help their estate planning clients with the accounting portions of their plans. It’s always very rewarding to work alongside the team at the firm and provide clients with peace of mind in regard to their legacy. I can see how much John and Ken strive to provide their clients with security, and I’m honored to lend a hand wherever I can.

I was first introduced to Ken Gonzalez through a mutual client two decades ago. We hit it off quickly. I immediately got the sense that Ken was a stand- up guy and an excellent attorney, but I had no clue that first meeting would be the start of a long and fruitful professional relationship. Of course, in working with Ken, I eventually came to know John Merlino as well. Between their awesome work and everyone else on the Merlino & Gonzalez team, I never have any hesitation recommending Merlino & Gonzalez to my clients. When I refer a client to another firm, I need to have absolute confidence in their abilities. If they have a bad experience with a Realtor, law firm, or any other company I mention, it makes me look bad. Luckily, that’s never a concern when it comes to Merlino & Gonzalez. Beyond simply being great at their job, John and Ken believe in treating clients the same way as I do. They understand that creating a relationship with clients and guiding them through the process is just as important as filing papers and crunching numbers. As a CPA with offices on Staten Island and in East Brunswick, New Jersey, you could say that I share a lot of the same stomping grounds with Merlino & Gonzalez. I run a private practice specializing in personal

Over the years, my relationship with John and Ken has grown to be social as well as professional. We love to get together with the families and hang out when we have a little free time. That may not seem like a big deal, but I’ve noticed that as we’ve become closer, our professional relationship has grown even stronger. I think that when you get along with the people you work with and enjoy their company, that can’t help but translate to the work you do and the experiences of your clients. I’m very lucky to call Ken and John my colleagues and friends. When you need a law firm to help you with real estate or estate planning matters, you can do no better than Merlino & Gonzalez. The best compliment I can give them is that their relationships with their clients last just as long as their relationship with me. That’s hard to find, and it’s worth celebrating. –Mark A. Coller, CPA

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TRANSPORTAT ION SAFETY T I PS Protect Your Children During Their Commute them where they should stand when the bus approaches — a minimum of three large steps or 6 feet from the street. Tell your kids about the importance of sitting still and not standing in the bus while it’s in motion. YOUNG PEDESTRIANS ON THE ROAD Whether your child is biking, walking, or even skateboarding, it’s vital that they know and follow the rules of the road. All children should practice road safety behavior, such as riding on the right side of the road, wearing helmets, stopping at stop signs, and watching out for cars. Internalizing these habits will help them stay aware of their surroundings when traveling to and from school. SHARING THE ROAD When school starts, the roads become even more cluttered than usual. On top of people heading to work, there are large buses making frequent stops, parents rushing to drop their kids off, and young kids biking or walking to school. With the added tension on the road, it’s important to be alert and move cautiously. Slowing down in school zones or around young pedestrians will keep you vigilant and could potentially save lives.

With the school year fast approaching, families are in preparation mode. Parents are busy buying new clothes and school supplies and thinking about the best way to get their kids safely to school. Keeping your child safe on their commute starts with knowing the transportation method that works best for you and the rules that accompany that method. TAKING THE SCHOOL BUS According to the United States Department of Transportation, the school bus is the safest means of transportation to and from school. Buses are built to withstand a hit and distribute the damage throughout the vehicle, keeping its passengers safe and sound. Knowing basic bus safety will help kids be mindful when taking the bus. Before the school year starts, take your children to the bus stop and show

Teach your kids to be prepared and safe on the road to ensure that they have a healthy and safe school year.

PROTECT ELDERLY LOVED ONES From Financial Fraud

Watching a loved one suffer with Alzheimer’s or dementia is a difficult process. The progressive nature of these brain disorders leads to increased memory loss and difficulty with communication. Most, if not all, dementia patients reach a point where they can no longer care for themselves. As much as we’d like to believe that all caregivers have the best interests of their patients at heart, we’ve heard enough horror stories to know that isn’t always the case. Less-than-reputable caregivers have coaxed dementia patients into signing over assets. Proper vetting of any care professional working with your loved one is crucial, but it’s not the only step you can take to ensure that your elderly loved one’s finances will be protected. Here are a few steps we recommend. DESIGNATE FAMILY MEMBERS Assigning powers of attorney to trusted family members should happen as soon as your loved one is diagnosed. Taking this step early, before symptoms accelerate, will limit the chance for any designation to be overturned. Your loved one should also name a “trusted contact” for any accounts with financial advisors.

SPEAK TO A DOCTOR Obviously, those dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia will be visiting a doctor regularly. During those visits, it’s a good idea for you to ask the doctor to sign written statements attesting to their inability to manage financial issues. Pass these documents on to any financial institutions so that banks and creditors will be mindful of your loved one’s condition. SAFEGUARD AND MONITOR DOCUMENTS Personal financial statements such as tax returns should be kept in a safe, private location. Any document with your loved one’s Social Security number could potentially be used to open fraudulent accounts. You should also regularly read your loved one’s bank statements to make sure they haven’t incurred any suspicious charges. CONSULT AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY At Merlino & Gonzalez, we have years of experience handling estate planning and elder law matters for families dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia. We can help you put a plan in place that safeguards your loved one’s finances and wishes. Dealing with dementia is hard, but protecting your loved one doesn’t have to be.

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5 Steps for First- Time Homebuyers FROM PREPARATION TO CLOSING

Buying a home is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, especially for those going through the process for the first time. Our team of experienced real estate attorneys can help guide you through every step in the process, including these five crucial steps. GET YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER Before you even begin looking at properties, you need to ensure that you’re financially prepared. Only after assessing your finances can you determine a realistic price range for your budget. You must have enough funds for a down payment. It’s also a great idea to get pre-approved for a loan before you begin house hunting, as many agents require a pre-approval before they will work with you. FIND YOUR IDEAL HOME Shopping for your home is surely the most fun part of the process, but it pays to be exhaustive in your search. Online tools like Zillow help you search in your ideal area and can narrow your search according to criteria like price, specific features, and nearby schools. A buyer’s real estate attorney can also provide you with options that meet your needs.

NEGOTIATE YOUR DEAL With the perfect home in your sights, you will want to negotiate a fair price. You should look to comparable sales in the area to determine what price is right. Your ability to negotiate the price of the home will depend in part on market conditions. In a hot market, you won’t have as much negotiating room. CONDUCT YOUR INSPECTION Before you close, you need to have a thorough inspection performed by a licensed home inspector. An inspection will tell you if there’s any hidden issues with the property. If major repairs are needed, you may be able to further negotiate the price of the home or walk from the purchase. PREPARE FOR YOUR CLOSING The closing is the final chapter of your home purchase process. A real estate attorney will ensure that your legal rights are protected before and after the closing. Your attorney will have you ready to smoothly and efficiently close on your home so that you can start unpacking.

GRILLED LEG OF LAMB MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER

take a break

INGREDIENTS

• 1 4–5-pound boneless leg of lamb, not butterflied • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil • 8 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced • Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. On a large cutting board, cut between the muscles on the leg of lamb to divide into 4 pieces, pulling apart with your fingers if need be. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, and rosemary. Add lamb and toss to coat. Marinate for 4 hours at room temperature. 3. Heat grill to medium-high. Season lamb with salt and pepper and grill until lamb reaches an internal temperature of 130 F (medium rare). Cook time will vary depending on size of lamb pieces. 4. Let lamb rest, covered with tin foil, for 15 minutes. Slice thinly and serve.

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718-698-2200 | realestateplanninglaw.com WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2 Decades of Fruitful Collaboration Keep Your Kids Safe on the Way to School Dementia and Financial Safety How to Begin Buying a Home Grilled Leg of Lamb Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season

October. However, unlike a traditional hotel, these massive ships have the luxury of navigating out of a storm’s path with ease. For all their ferocity, hurricanes move slowly across the Atlantic and have relatively predictable trajectories. Meanwhile, modern cruise ships carry the most sophisticated weather-tracking instruments, allowing them to bypass even small storms and inclement weather. FLEXIBILITY IS A MUST The flipside of this ability to dodge storms is the fact that your ship may not be able to stick to its original itinerary. You may have to anchor at an island you weren’t expecting to or miss out on seeing a port you were supposed to visit. If you have your heart set on seeing a specific location, cruise travel this time of year may not be for you. But if you are simply looking for a safe, affordable vacation to a beautiful region, then it doesn’t much matter which white-sanded beach you wake up to next. While unpredictable weather will always be a concern for any vacation, the safety and variety cruises offer make them great options for anyone looking for a Caribbean getaway before the holiday season. So if you have a flexible schedule and a healthy sense of adventure, it’s time to call your travel agent, pack your sunscreen and bathing suit, and head to paradise! BOOK A CARIBBEAN CRUISE Safe Sailing This Hurricane Season

After last year’s devastating storm season, would-be tropical travelers are undoubtedly hesitant about purchasing those discounted plane tickets to the Caribbean Basin. No one wants to face a possible evacuation during their vacation — or worse, be forced to weather a hurricane at a beachfront resort. If you want the most bang for your buck while enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean this fall, consider booking a cruise. Cruise-ship travel is a fun and adventurous way to explore any time of year. After all, what could be more magical than a floating hotel room where you fall asleep in one country and wake up in another? This charming mobility is also what makes cruise travel the safest option for visiting the Caribbean and the coast of Mexico this time of year. SAFETY AND SAVINGS Much like resorts and airfare, cruise lines discount their Caribbean fares significantly during peak hurricane season, from August to