Take a look at our July newsletter!
REALESTATEPLANNINGLAW.COM 718-698-2200 July 2024
WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
IN A MANOR OF SPEAKING
MEET THE VIGLIOTTIS, WHO ARE MAKING THE MOST OF RETIREMENT Estate Planning With Heart
We love supporting our community, especially when they live just down the block! This month, we’re spotlighting Anthony and Darlene Vigliotti, a Staten Island couple going 39 years strong. Our team was able to get their plan in place so these two can spend their retirement traveling and playing with their grandkids, not worrying about their estate.
and three grandchildren here on Staten Island are our world. That’s why we decided it was time to get our estate in order. After recently losing my mother, who had her affairs neatly arranged with the utmost care, we witnessed firsthand how much smoother everything goes when plans are laid out clearly. It was a painful yet enlightening experience and one that spurred us to take action. We wanted to ensure that everything would be just as orderly for our own family without leaving any burdensome headaches behind. It was a thoughtful gift my mother left behind, and it’s one I wanted to also share with my children when the time inevitably comes. Our journey began with a simple phone call to Merlino & Gonzalez based on glowing recommendations. I still remember that first conversation; it was like chatting with an old friend! Ken spent ample time explaining our options, and no question was too small or silly. Anthony and I aren’t lawyers, and the process isn’t exactly easy for the average person, but their team made us feel comfortable and valued. The approach was exactly what we needed as we navigated through these critical decisions.
You really don’t realize how much peace of mind an estate plan can bring until you actually do it! My husband Anthony and I have recently ventured into the world of estate planning with Merlino & Gonzalez, and what a reassuring adventure it has been. Living just up the block from their office in Staten Island has made them not just our advisors but also our helpful neighbors. We’ve been married for 39 marvelous years right here in our family-oriented neighborhood of Westerleigh in Staten Island. Anthony, a retired NYC Department of Environmental Protection employee, and I, a part-time secretary at our Parish Church of Blessed Sacrament, have recently begun to indulge in a bit more travel — Vegas, Utah, Sedona and Grand Canyon to name a few. But as much as we love our little escapades, our four children
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PAW-SOME ADVENTURES Tips to Perfect Your Grill Game SUMMER SIZZLE
Summer is the season for grilling. From skewered vegetables to sirloin steaks, your grill is perfect for making flavorful, nutritious food. Whether you plan to stoke the coals at a neighborhood get-together or prepare an incredible meal for a special occasion, you can use these two tips to get the most from your grill. Onions Have Layers The more you use your grill, the more grease, fat, and food debris accumulate on the grates. Luckily, onions are a natural solution to whisk away the mess. While caramelized onions are the perfect topping for burgers and steaks, you can use onions to clean your grill before grilling. First, ensure your grill is running hot; that heat will help enhance the onion’s cleansing properties. Then, using a skewer or grill fork as
Have you ever heard the expression, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression?” Well, your front door is the first and last thing you and your guests see when entering and exiting your home. So, when you approach painting your front door, you should be thoughtful and careful. Much goes into painting doors, from choosing the correct palette to ensuring adequate coverage. Here are three tips to help you tackle this tricky task. Perfecting Your Palette Anyone who has searched through paint swatches at a hardware store knows the dilemma. A seemingly endless variety of colors confront you. For example, in addition to “White” paint, you see “Alabaster,” “Chantilly Lace,” and “Winter Snow.” Each variation may be only slightly different, but that difference becomes glaringly obvious when mismatched. When it comes to the color of your door and the surrounding trim, you have two options: Keep it uniform or have a purposeful accent differentiating the two. Otherwise, the paint job may come off as sloppy. Also, consider the finish — there is a big difference between a matte and glossy sheen of paint, so choose wisely. a handle, push the onion along the grill’s grates. The onion’s natural acidity will help break down built-up fat, grease, and food. Once your grill is clear, it is ready for use! Clean grates do wonders for the taste and quality of the meats and veggies you grill. Heat and Temperature If you’ve ever had to take a food safety course, you know every meat has an ideal cooking temperature. For instance, chicken should reach 165 degrees internally, and for pork, it’s 145 degrees. While grilling, use a meat thermometer to determine which proteins are ready to serve and which need more time. Once you pull your meat off the grill, let it rest for at least five minutes before serving. This time makes the meat more tender and allows it to finish cooking off the grill passively.
Prepping to Paint While it’s possible to paint a door
without first removing it from its hinges, it is much easier, cleaner, and more convenient to move it somewhere with ideal lighting and accessibility. Laying the door flat on the ground also makes sanding and clean-up a cinch! Gathering Tools and Priming First things first, you need a good primer. Priming the door will make your chosen paint adhere more easily. If you are an inexperienced painter, you may prefer a brush to a roller. While rollers can cover more space more quickly, they are not as easy to use as they first appear. Before diving in, get advice from your local paint store, including other helpful tools, like a paint tray, canvas drop cloth, and even painter’s tape. Once the paint dries and you rehang the door, enjoy your new look and that excellent first impression you’ll make.
MAKE AN ENTRANCE HOW TO PAINT YOUR DOOR LIKE AN EXPERT
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Close Deals With Ease
The Role of Technology in Modern Real Estate Transactions
Online Platforms and Digital Conferencing
Real estate transactions are evolving rapidly, especially with the integration of advanced technology making processes smoother and more efficient. For seasoned investors or first- time homebuyers, the final steps of securing a new property can be particularly nerve- wracking. Thankfully, in 2024, technology is here to simplify the usual closing catastrophes. Digitize Documents With Efficiency Gone are the days when closing on a property required lugging around heavy folders stuffed with paperwork. Today, digital platforms ensure that every necessary document is just a click away. This shift not only streamlines the process but also significantly reduces the risk of human error. When all your documents are digitized, everything you need is ready and accessible. There’s no need to worry about a gust of wind ruining your closing day! Enhanced Communication Real estate transactions involve a myriad of conversations among various
parties, including lenders, agents, attorneys, and inspectors. Modern technology can organize contact information and maintain a detailed record of all communications. This continuous connectivity ensures everyone is on the same page and helps prevent last- minute scrambles or misunderstandings as the closing date approaches.
The backbone of tech-savvy real estate transactions is undoubtedly the online platform used for document management. These platforms store documents securely and integrate with blockchain technology to ensure that funds are transferred securely and swiftly on closing day, eliminating the need for physical checks. For closings that involve parties in different locations, digital conferencing tools come into play. They facilitate the virtual meeting of all parties involved, where a remote online notary guides each step, ensuring all documents are reviewed and signed correctly. In 2024, as technology continues to redefine our daily lives, the real estate industry is no exception. By embracing these technological advancements, we can ensure that the process of buying or selling property is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Secure Transactions With Automated Verification
With considerable sums of money on the line, verifying the authenticity of information and identities is crucial. Technology now allows for meticulous verification processes and secure storage of critical documents, improving the security of your transaction. Additionally, remote online notarization (RON) in states like New York has transformed the signing process. Parties can now meet with a notary via video conference, sign documents electronically, and avoid the scheduling conflicts typical of in‑person meetings.
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MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
Estate planning with Merlino & Gonzalez turned out to be surprisingly pleasant. They helped us organize everything, ensuring fairness and clarity in how our assets would be handled. What’s great is that the plan is open-ended, allowing for adjustments as life changes because, as we all know, it certainly does! We feel incredibly blessed to be part of this tight-knit community, to have raised our children here, and to watch our grandchildren grow up in the same wonderful environment. My greatest pride is my children — all wonderfully established in their careers and lives. They have truly been my life’s greatest accomplishments. Now, as Anthony and I start to enjoy our retirement years with some well-earned leisure and travel, it’s comforting to know that everything back home is sorted. Next up on our travel list? Perhaps Niagara Falls! It’s exhilarating to just book a trip and go, knowing everything else is taken care of. Estate planning might sound serious and daunting, but honestly, it’s given us such peace of mind, letting us truly enjoy our adventures and family time without worry. So, here’s to many more years of travel, family gatherings, and living life to the fullest with a little help from our friendly neighborhood law firm! –Darlene & Anthony Vigliotti
SUMMER PIZZA
INSPIRED BY FOODANDWINE.COM
INGREDIENTS
• 1 lb pizza dough • 1/4 cup pesto • 1/3 cup shredded quesadilla cheese • 10 thin slices of zucchini • 10 thin slices of summer squash • 2 mini bell peppers, thinly sliced
• 1 thin slice of red onion, diced • 1 strip cooked bacon, chopped
Butter Glaze (optional) • 1 tbsp butter • 1 tsp steak seasoning
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat grill to high heat on one side. 2. Reduce the flame on half of the grill burners to low.
3. Roll out pizza dough into a circle. Place dough on the grill over high heat. 4. Close the cover and let dough grill for 1–3 minutes until bottom is slightly cooked and shows char marks. 5. Use tongs to flip crust over and move it to the low-heat side. 6. Brush dough with pesto, sprinkle with cheese, and evenly distribute veggies and bacon. 7. Grill for about 3 minutes until cheese is melted; then carefully remove. 8. Optional: Combine butter and seasoning. Brush crust edges with butter glaze and place pizza in broiler until golden.
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718-698-2200 | realestateplanninglaw.com WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Journey Through Estate Planning and Beyond Page 1
2 Essential Tips for Grilling Perfection
Tips for Masterful Door Painting Page 2
Technology Is Revolutionizing Real Estate Transactions
Summer Pizza Page 3
What’s Happening on Staten Island This July? Page 4
YOUR GUIDE TO STATEN ISLAND’S JULY FESTIVITIES Pizza Parties, Movie Nights, and Music Fests!
Experience ‘Jaws’ at St. George Theatre Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m. (doors open 6 p.m.) StGeorgeTheatre.com/jaws Dive into the suspense of “Jaws” at the St. George Theatre on Staten Island! Part of the “Better on the Big Screen” Movie Series, this iconic film directed by Steven Spielberg features a great white shark that brings terror to a summer resort town. Join the fun for a thrilling experience as a police chief, a fisherman, and a marine biologist team up in a classic battle against the ultimate predator. This event is sponsored by Williams Eye Works
Maker Park Radio’s 7th Anniversary Music & Art Fest Saturday, July 20, from 5–11 p.m. MakerParkRadio.nyc
July in Staten Island is shaping up to be an unforgettable month packed with exciting events for everyone! Pizza Party 2024 at Snug Harbor Saturday, July 20, from 12–4 p.m. KillsBoro.com Step into summer fun at Kills Boro Brewing Company’s “PIZZA PARTY!” — an outdoor picnic-style event that combines craft beer and pizza to support the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden. Enjoy unlimited beer samples from Kills Boro and a stellar lineup of local breweries, including 18th Ward, Finback, and Flagship Brewery. Also, relish freshly made pizzas by top Staten Island pizzerias! It’s a perfect blend of community, craft, and cause. Stay tuned as more breweries and pizzerias are announced.
Celebrate seven years with Maker Park Radio at their Music & Art Fest! Join in on the fun at 450 Front St., Staten Island,
for an outdoor mini-fest that showcases the best of community spirit. Enjoy electrifying performances by punk and rock bands alongside the mesmerizing sideshow artistry of Albert Cadabra. Explore an art show curated by Magie Serpica and shop from 12 local craft and food vendors. This all-ages, pet-friendly event promises vibrant entertainment and community art. Remember, seating is limited, so dress comfortably for an afternoon on the grass and rocks!
and Richmond University Medical Center. Don’t miss your chance to see why you’re “gonna need a bigger boat” on the big screen!
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