Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
REALESTATEPLANNINGLAW.COM 718-698-2200 November 2026
WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
IN A MANOR OF SPEAKING
A Dream Home, a New Baby, and Memories in the Making MAKING ROOM FOR WHAT MATTERS MOST
Santino, on April 18, 2026 ( even with the considerable plot twists ).
We’re also excited to continue one of our favorite traditions: hosting Christmas Eve. With both sides of our extended family, we usually have around 20 people over, so having the extra space is a big deal! This year will be especially memorable because it will be our first Christmas Eve in the new house and Santino’s first one, too. We’re looking forward to filling the house with family, food, and plenty of holiday chaos in the best possible way. Through all these changes, we’ve been grateful to have John Merlino and the team at Merlino & Gonzalez by our side. We’ve worked with John on previous home purchases, and John has also helped Frank’s father over the years. Having a team we already knew and trusted made selling one home and buying another feel far less stressful. When you’re juggling a move, a new baby, and everything else life throws your way, it’s nice to know you have people in your corner. For anyone facing a big life transition, our advice is simple: Don’t rush. Find the neighborhood that feels right, look for a home you genuinely love, and remember that you can make changes to a home over time, but not its neighborhood. We’re thrilled to begin this next chapter with Santino and Daisy under one roof. There’s still plenty to do, and we’re sure the to-do list will keep growing, but we’re right where we want to be. We’re home, we’re together, and we can’t wait to see what memories this next chapter brings! -Frank & Barbara Innocenti
It’s always a privilege to help clients find a place to call home, but it’s especially meaningful when you get to be part of a family’s next chapter. I’m grateful to have worked with Frank and Barbara again and to help them find a home where they can build wonderful memories with Santino for years to come. Finding out we were going to have a baby was one of those moments that makes you look at everything a little differently. It took just a glance around our two-bedroom home to realize it was time to find a bigger space. -John R. Merlino Jr., Esq. We’re both born and raised on Staten Island, so staying here was never really up for debate. We narrowed our search to West Brighton and Westerleigh, with a few non-negotiables: at least three bedrooms, a basement, and a backyard where Daisy, our Bernedoodle, could stretch her legs. We wanted a place where we could settle in, make memories, and give room for our family to grow. Of course, finding the right house took a little patience. We had already lost out on one property before the Westerleigh home we now call ours came along. As luck would have it, the offer process unfolded while Frank was in London for work. An offer was accepted, then rescinded when another buyer entered the picture. When that deal fell through, we had another opportunity to negotiate, and this time, everything came together. It all fell into place just in time for the birth of our son,
Looking back, we’re glad we didn’t rush the decision. Our home needed some work, but Barbara could see what it could be, and we’ve been making that vision a reality. We’re currently having an in-ground pool installed, and while an extension might be a possibility down the road, we plan to stay here for the long haul. There’s always something to do when you own a home, but we’re excited to make it our own, one project at a time. One of the things we’re happiest about is the neighborhood itself. Our neighbors are wonderful, and there are plenty of other kids on our block. We’ve already enjoyed spending time together, including celebrating the Fourth of July with neighbors. It feels good knowing Santino will grow up in a community where people look out for one another.
1
718-698-2200
Steal These Designer Secrets for a Bigger-Looking Space
Want in on a designer secret? The rooms that look the biggest aren’t always the ones with the most square footage. Interior designers rely on clever visual tricks to make even the coziest rooms feel open, bright, and inviting. You don’t need a costly renovation or an addition to pull it off. With a few strategic updates, you can create the illusion of a much larger space and give your room a whole new feel. Let one material steal the show. One clever way to make a room feel larger is by wrapping the space in a single material, such as wood planking or paneling. Using the same finish throughout softens the room’s visual boundaries, helping the walls blend together. The result is a space that feels both cozy and surprisingly expansive. Think up, not out. When you’re short on floor space, think vertically instead. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves
maximize storage while naturally drawing the eye upward, making the room feel taller. The same trick works with curtains: Hang your curtain rod about two-thirds of the distance between the top of the window and the ceiling to instantly create the illusion of height. Bigger rugs make bigger rooms. It may seem backward, but a larger area rug can actually make a small room feel more spacious. Choose one that’s large enough for the front legs of your sofa and chairs to rest on. This creates a cohesive seating area rather than several smaller zones, making the room feel more open. Lighten the look with clear furniture. Glass coffee tables, see-through chairs, and floating shelves help reduce visual clutter by opening up your line of sight. These transparent pieces provide function without making the room feel crowded, giving your space a lighter, airier appearance.
Choose paint based on natural light. Many homeowners automatically reach for white paint in a small room, but lighting matters just as much as size. A good rule to follow is:
•
Less natural light = darker paint colors. Rich, deeper tones can add depth and make the walls seem to recede. More natural light = lighter paint colors. Soft neutrals and lighter shades reflect sunlight and keep the room feeling open.
•
Sometimes, the smallest changes make the greatest impact. Focus on maximizing light, drawing the eye upward, and creating visual continuity, and you can transform the smallest room into a space that feels larger, brighter, and more welcoming.
Looking for a New Thanksgiving Tradition?
These Global Customs Are Worth Trying
Thanksgiving has a way of bringing people together, but who says you have to celebrate it the same way every year? While the classic turkey dinner and pumpkin pie will always have their place, cultures around the world have their own beautiful traditions centered on gratitude, harvest, and community. Borrowing a few of these customs can make your celebration feel even more meaningful. Whether you’re hosting a big family feast or a cozy dinner with friends, these global traditions are easy to add to your own Thanksgiving table. Celebrate the harvest together. In Germany, Erntedankfest, or the Harvest Thanksgiving Festival, focuses on giving thanks for a successful harvest. Communities often gather for church services, parades, and shared meals. However, you don’t need a parade to capture the spirit. Consider decorating your table with seasonal
fruits, vegetables, and flowers, then take a moment before dinner to appreciate the abundance in your own life. Turn gratitude into a family tradition. South Korea’s Chuseok is a harvest celebration that emphasizes family, remembrance, and gratitude. Loved ones gather, share traditional meals, and honor relatives who came before them. You can borrow this idea by inviting everyone at the table to share a favorite family memory or say one thing they’re thankful for before the meal begins. It’s a simple tradition that creates lasting memories. Share the bounty. Nigeria’s New Yam Festival celebrates the first yam harvest with music, dancing, and communal feasts. One of the main themes is sharing food with others. Bring that same generosity to your Thanksgiving by preparing an extra dish for a neighbor, inviting someone who would otherwise spend the holiday alone,
or donating food to a local pantry. Gratitude feels even more meaningful when it’s shared. Make food the star of the celebration.
In Malaysia’s Kaamatan festival, rice symbolizes life and gratitude, and
communities celebrate with traditional foods, cultural performances, and joyful gatherings. While your menu doesn’t need to feature rice, you can highlight foods that tell your family’s story. Serve a favorite family recipe, include a dish from your cultural background, or ask guests to bring something that represents their heritage. Create your own global tradition. Thanksgiving is all about celebrating gratitude in a way that feels authentic. Borrowing traditions from around the world reminds us that gratitude is universal. This year, mix old favorites with new ideas, gather the people you love, and create traditions everyone will look forward to for years to come.
2 realestateplanninglaw.com
•
Jointly owned property: Certain property held with survivorship rights often passes automatically to the surviving owner.
Not Everything Goes Through Probate in New York A Will Is Important, But It May Not Control Everything
Your will doesn’t control everything. A common misconception is that your will determines what happens to every asset you own. That isn’t necessarily the case. Beneficiary designations and survivorship rights generally govern assets under those arrangements. For example, if your will leaves a retirement account to one child but the account names another child as beneficiary, the beneficiary designation will generally overrule the will. What may still go through probate? Assets owned solely in your name without a beneficiary designation or survivorship provision may still require probate. These can include individually owned real estate, personal belongings, vehicles, and certain bank or investment accounts. Avoiding probate can be helpful, but it shouldn’t be the only goal. The bigger goal is creating an estate plan that reflects your wishes and makes things as clear and manageable as possible for your loved ones.
Some common assets can avoid probate. Several types of assets can pass outside probate when they are properly set up.
Estate planning has become synonymous with wills and probate. However, not every asset you own necessarily has to go through probate in New York. Many assets can pass directly to a beneficiary or surviving owner. Understanding how your assets are titled and who is named to receive them can help make things easier for your loved ones. What does ‘outside probate’ mean? Probate is the court-supervised process for handling assets owned solely by someone who has died without designating another way to transfer ownership. Some assets have built-in instructions for what happens after death. When those instructions are properly established, the asset can generally transfer directly to the person you designated. This can mean less court involvement, faster distribution, and greater privacy for your family.
•
Living trusts: Property transferred into a revocable living trust generally passes according to the trust’s terms. Retirement accounts: 401(k)s, IRAs, and certain pension benefits typically pass directly to named beneficiaries. Life insurance: Proceeds generally go directly to the named beneficiaries. If there is no living beneficiary or the estate is named instead, the proceeds may become part of the probate estate. POD and TOD accounts: Payable-on- Death bank accounts and Transfer-on- Death investment accounts allow you to name someone to receive the account after your death without probate.
•
•
•
MINI CROISSANT CRUST PECAN PIES MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
INGREDIENTS Pie filling
• 4 large eggs • 3 cups pecan halves, coarsely chopped Croissant crust • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened • 6 large croissants
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter • 1 cup light brown sugar • 1 cup light corn syrup • 2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 tsp bourbon whiskey (optional)
DIRECTIONS 1. In saucepan over medium-high heat, combine butter, sugar, syrup, salt, vanilla, and bourbon. Simmer, then whisk mixture and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool for 7 minutes. 2. Add eggs and whisk quickly to combine. Stir in pecans. Set aside until mixture thickens. 3. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with butter. 4. Cut croissants in half, then open each like you’re making a sandwich. Line muffin cups with croissant pieces and press down. Remove any pieces that stick up over the edge. 5. Spoon pecan filling evenly into cups. 6. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. 7. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes. Let cool completely.
Take a Break
718-698-2200 3
PR SRT FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PA ID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
394 Manor Road Staten Island, NY 10314
LinkedIn.com/company/the-law-firm-of-merlino-and-gonzalez Facebook.com/MerlinoGonzalez
718-698-2200 | realestateplanninglaw.com WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
A Place to Grow: Frank and Barbara’s New Beginning Page 1 Designer Secrets That Make Any Living Room Feel Larger Thanksgiving Traditions From Around the World You Will Want to Borrow Page 2 Which Assets Skip Probate in New York?
Mini Croissant Crust Pecan Pies Page 3 Your Guide to a Season Full of Festive Fun Page 4
MAKE ROOM ON YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS HISTORY, LIGHTS & HOLIDAY BITES
Ready to trade your usual weekend routine for something a little more festive? From traveling back in time at a harvest celebration to riding through twinkling Victorian streets and shopping for delicious local treats, these upcoming events offer plenty of reasons to get out and celebrate.
vendors and discover Native American food traditions along the way. With fascinating demonstrations, delicious history, and plenty to explore, it’s a wonderful way to experience how harvest celebrations brought families and communities together for generations. Holiday Lights Trolley Ride & Walking Tour Trolley rides start Nov. 21; walking tours start Dec. 4 CapeMayMAC.org/ Get into the holiday spirit with a magical evening in historic Cape May. Hop aboard the Holiday Lights Trolley for a 30-minute ride through streets glowing with twinkling lights and beautifully decorated Victorian homes. Enjoy Christmas music while learning about the history behind beloved holiday traditions. Then, continue the festivities with the Lamplighter Christmas Walking Tour. Stroll
through the historic district and peek inside beautifully decorated bed-and-breakfast inns and private homes. Grab your map, gather your favorite people, and enjoy Cape May sparkling at its festive best. Edible Island at Staten Island Museum Dec. 5, 2026, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. StatenIslandMuseum.org/events/ Calling all foodies and holiday shoppers! Edible Island returns as part of the festive Holiday Hop. This event is the perfect place to discover specialty treats, artisanal goodies, and plenty of sweet and savory surprises. Taste unique offerings, find delicious gifts for everyone on your list, and support local small businesses and the creative community along the way. Best of all, admission is free, so you can shop, snack, and soak up the holiday spirit without spending a dime at the door (donations are welcome). Come hungry and leave merry!
Hearth & Harvest Festival Nov. 21, 2026, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. HistoricRichmondTown.org/events/
Step back in time and celebrate the season at the Hearth & Harvest Festival at Historic Richmond Town! Explore American Indian life and culture through Indigenous dance, storytelling, and crafts. You can even watch costumed interpreters bring history to life with traditional hearth cooking demonstrations featuring 18th- and 19th- century recipes, tools, and techniques. Plus, browse handmade wares from local
realestateplanninglaw.com 4
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator