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REALESTATEPLANNINGLAW.COM 718-698-2200 October 2026
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IN A MANOR OF SPEAKING
A More Peaceful Holiday Season Starts With a Little Preparation THE AUTUMN RESET: PUMPKINS & PEACE OF MIND
Digital organization matters, too. Scanning documents you don’t need to keep in their original form can make them easier to access and share. A secure digital vault or cloud service can be useful for copies of estate documents, financial information, and insurance records. Just remember: Important digital information should be backed up in two separate places. That way, if your external hard drive or computer crashes (or a natural disaster damages your equipment) you’ll still have a secure copy of your important files stored somewhere else. Use strong passwords and multifactor authentication, and make sure someone you trust knows how to access the information if necessary. Finally, make a simple inventory. Write down what you have, where it is stored, and who should be contacted if something happens to you. Include your login information for emails and online accounts so the right people can access them if you are unable. Include your attorney’s contact information and any relevant digital accounts. An Autumn Reset can be exactly what you need to ring in the new season and make life a little easier for yourself and the people you love. When the holidays arrive, you’ll have enough to think about: family, food, traditions, travel, and making memories. Knowing your important documents are organized, accessible, and up to date means you can enjoy those moments with a little more peace of mind.
It feels like one minute we’re enjoying the first crisp days of fall, and the next, Halloween is here, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. I like to think of this time of year as an opportunity for an Autumn Reset: a chance to clear out, organize, and prepare for the season ahead. I always recommend decluttering first and decorating second. If your everyday spaces already feel crowded, piling on holiday decorations can make the chaos even worse. Walk through the rooms where your family spends the most time and take a critical look. Shelves, mantels, entryways, and countertops often need a little breathing room. One space-saving trick is to remove your everyday decorations and put them in your holiday storage bins while the seasonal decorations are out. When the holidays are over, simply switch everything back. It keeps your home from feeling overstuffed and gives your holiday décor room to shine.
knew where it was? If your will is in one drawer, your power of attorney is in another, insurance information is buried in a filing cabinet, and important financial information exists only in your email, you may have some organizing to do .
Start by gathering your essential documents and information, including:
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Last will and testament
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Insurance policies Recent tax returns
• • •
Trusts
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Power of attorney
Health care directive
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And important personal records (such as birth, marriage,
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Property deeds Financial and retirement account information
and divorce certificates)
Then think about where those documents should live. A fireproof and waterproof home safe can provide convenient access while protecting important papers. Your estate planning attorney may also securely retain copies or originals of your documents. Of course, your executor or a trusted family
An autumn reset doesn’t have to stop at your closets and living room. Your estate planning documents deserve a little seasonal organizing, too.
member should know where to find important information, particularly documents such as health care directives and powers of attorney that may be needed quickly.
And to me, that’s a pretty good way to welcome the season.
When was the last time you gathered everything together and made sure you
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Mood-Boosting Magic
How Intentional Interior Design Creates a Healthier, Happier Life
Create spaces that fit your life. The way rooms connect can shape how you spend your time at home. Open floor plans encourage conversation and make it easier for family and friends to gather, whether you’re preparing dinner, helping with homework, or simply catching up after a busy day. These connected spaces naturally cultivate a sense of togetherness. At the same time, everyone benefits from having a place to step away. A quiet home office, cozy reading corner, or peaceful bedroom provides an opportunity to relax, recharge, or concentrate without distractions. The most enjoyable homes often include both inviting gathering spaces and private retreats. Surround yourself with what makes you feel good. Bringing elements of nature indoors also has a surprisingly powerful effect. Wood accents,
Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt calmer or restless without knowing why? While decor certainly plays a role, the layout of your home has an even greater influence on how you feel each day. From the amount of natural light you receive to the flow between rooms, thoughtful design can boost your mood, reduce stress, and make your home a place where you truly enjoy spending time. Let the sunshine in. One of the simplest ways your home can influence your well-being is through natural light. Bright, sun-filled spaces help regulate your body’s internal clock, improving sleep, boosting energy, and simply giving you more pep in your step! Large windows, skylights, and thoughtfully positioned living areas in direct natural light can make a home feel more vibrant and welcoming from morning until evening.
expressions. Younger children can enjoy adding stickers and decorations, while older kids can create more detailed designs. The possibilities are endless, and there’s no wrong way to decorate. Create a festive pumpkin theme. A fun way to make decorating even more exciting is by choosing a theme. Families can create matching pumpkins, such as a group of friendly monsters, a collection of favorite animals, or pumpkins inspired by a favorite movie or book. Themed pumpkins also make a great Halloween display for porches, entryways, or family gatherings. Everyone can add their own style while still creating a fun collection that looks great together. Make it a family pumpkin challenge. Turn pumpkin decorating into a fun family competition. Everyone can choose a pumpkin and create their own design using the same supplies. Once everyone is finished, vote on categories like “funniest pumpkin,” “most creative,” “best use of color,” or “spookiest design.” stone finishes, indoor plants, and other natural materials create a calming atmosphere. Even your color choices can influence how a room feels. Warm tones create cozy, welcoming living areas, while cooler shades promote relaxation and restful sleep. You don’t need a complete remodel to experience the benefits. Sometimes, small changes like letting in more sunlight, adding greenery, or rethinking how you use a room can transform how you feel every time you walk through the door.
No Carving Required Creative Pumpkin Decorating Ideas Kids Will Love
Paint your way to a pumpkin masterpiece.
Boo! When you think of Halloween pumpkins, you probably picture the classics: spooky jack- o’-lantern faces with triangle eyes, silly toothy grins, scary monsters, creepy cats, or maybe a pumpkin glowing on the front porch with a candle inside. Carving pumpkins has been a favorite fall tradition for generations, but let’s be honest, it can also mean scooping out slimy pumpkin guts, dealing with sharp carving tools, and cleaning up a big orange mess afterward. That’s where no-carve pumpkin decorating comes in! Instead of cutting into your pumpkin, you can turn it into almost anything with paint, stickers, craft supplies, and a little imagination. No-carve decorating is a fun way for kids of all ages to join in without the stress of traditional carving. Whether you’re looking for an easy Halloween craft, a creative weekend activity, or a new way to decorate your home, these ideas prove that pumpkins don’t need to be carved to steal the spotlight.
A plain pumpkin can quickly become a bright, colorful decoration with just a few brushes and some creativity. Kids can paint traditional Halloween designs, such as ghosts, bats, spiders, and monsters, or they can create something completely different. Paint pens and markers are also great options for adding small details, patterns, and funny faces. Add texture with craft supplies. No-carve pumpkin decorating is the perfect excuse to use up those extra craft supplies sitting around the house. Items like googly eyes, ribbons, stickers, felt, yarn, pom- poms, and foam shapes can turn an ordinary pumpkin into something full of personality.
Kids will love creating silly pumpkin faces with oversized eyes, wild hair, or funny
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LLC, Trust, or Both? Don’t Guess With Your Rental Property THE RIGHT OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Owning rental property can be a great way to build wealth. But once you have tenants, leases, maintenance bills, and a property to manage, there’s another question worth asking: Who actually owns the property? That may sound like a simple question, but the answer can have a big impact on your liability protection, estate plan, and what happens to the property down the road. For many owners, the conversation eventually comes down to two options: an LLC or a trust. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other. What does an LLC do for a rental property? An LLC, or Limited Liability Company, can help separate your rental business from your personal assets. If a tenant, visitor, or contractor makes a claim related to the property, that separation may provide a layer of protection for assets outside the LLC. An LLC can also be helpful when multiple people own property together or when you have several rentals to manage. What does a trust do? A trust has a different purpose. It can help manage your property during your lifetime and provide instructions for what happens to it later. A properly funded trust may allow rental property to pass to beneficiaries without going through probate. It can also provide a plan for managing
the property if you become incapacitated. For families, avoiding probate can mean less court involvement, fewer delays, and a smoother transition of property to the next generation. Why not use both? In some situations, an LLC and a trust can work together. For example, an LLC might own the rental property while a trust owns the LLC membership interests. This can potentially combine business liability planning with estate planning. The best approach depends on your properties, mortgages, family goals, tax situation, and long-term plans. Look before you transfer. Mortgages, insurance, and potential tax consequences should all be reviewed before any transfer. A mortgage may contain a due-on-sale clause, and certain transfers can have different legal or tax implications. For New York property owners, Medicaid planning can add another important consideration. At Merlino & Gonzalez, we help property owners look beyond the paperwork and create an ownership strategy that fits their bigger goals. If you’re wondering whether your rental property is structured correctly, we’re here to help you explore your options and plan for the future with greater confidence.
CIDER-BRAISED CHICKEN MICHELE’S RECIPE CORNER
INGREDIENTS • 4 slices bacon, chopped • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 lbs) • 2 medium tart red apples, cored and cut into wedges • 1 12-oz bottle hard cider
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme • 2 tbsp whole grain mustard • 1 tsp kosher salt • 12 oz fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp; remove from pan, reserving drippings in skillet. 2. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning once; remove from skillet. 3. Add apples to skillet; cook 4 minutes or until browned on both sides; remove from skillet. 4. Discard drippings. 5. Add cider, thyme, mustard, and salt to skillet, scraping up any browned bits. 6. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Return chicken to skillet. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. 7. Add Brussels sprouts. Cover and cook 5 minutes. 8. Add apples and cook, uncovered, 3–5 minutes more or until chicken is at least 175 F. 9. To serve, divide chicken, Brussels sprouts, and apples among bowls or plates. Spoon cider mixture over top. Sprinkle each with bacon.
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718-698-2200 | realestateplanninglaw.com WE KEEP YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Fall Into a Fresh Start Before the Holidays Page 1 Could Your Home Be Affecting Your Mood? Fun Designs Without the Messy Pumpkin Carving Page 2 The Rental Property Question Many Owners Forget to Ask Cider-Braised Chicken Page 3 Halloween Hijinks Are Happening All Over Staten Island Page 4
PUMPKINS, PUPS & PARANORMAL ADVENTURES THIS OCTOBER SPOOKTACULAR STATEN ISLAND
The ghosts are stirring, the pumpkin patches are popping up, and Staten Island is getting ready for a Halloween season packed with fall fun! Get ready for hayrides, creepy history, and pumpkin-chucking thrills. From sweet autumn treats to spine-tingling tales, these Staten Island events are the perfect excuse to have a little Halloween fun! Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farm Oct. 3–25, weekends (including the second Monday) HistoricRichmondTown.org/events Prepare for pumpkin spice and everything nice this autumn at Historic Richmond Town’s Decker Farm! On October weekends, round up the family and head to the pumpkin patch to hunt for your perfect pumpkin, then hop aboard a classic hayride for a cozy tour of the farm. Feeling competitive? See how far you
can send a pumpkin flying with the pumpkin- chucking bungee! Kids can paint pumpkins and pose for festive fall photos, and no autumn outing is complete without cider, pumpkin pie, doughnuts, and pumpkin spice coffee. It’s a picture-perfect Staten Island fall tradition! Secrets of the Kreischer Mansion Oct. 22 SIChamber.com/spooky Step inside Staten Island’s legendary Kreischer Mansion during the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce’s Secrets of the Kreischer Mansion spooky walking tour. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with light bites at Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn before heading to the mansion for an 8 p.m. tour. Along the way, discover the fascinating and tragic history of Balthasar Kreischer, his family, and the company town he built. You’ll also hear how a 2005 case brought
the mansion back into the spotlight. Tickets are $35 for members and $55 for nonmembers. Harbor Hounds Halloween Costume Contest & Parade Oct. 24, 2–4 p.m. Snug-Harbor.org/events-calendar Calling all four-legged Halloween fanatics! Bring your costumed canine to Snug Harbor’s South Meadow for the Harbor Hounds Annual Halloween Costume Contest & Parade. From adorable pumpkins to hilarious characters and downright spooky creations, the more creative the costume, the better! A costume contest kicks off the festivities, with prizes and plenty of bragging rights for the winning pups, followed by a festive parade. Harbor Hounds members attend free, while nonmembers pay just $5. Come ready for tail-wagging fun, photo-worthy costumes, and a howling good time!
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