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Wills, Trust & Estate Assign 2 Essay

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Re: what can a person do under the power of attorney in terms of gift transfers
Relevant Facts
Our client Mark Down had our firm do a will for him several years ago that gives all of his assets to his children (his wife died previously). He also executed a power of attorney, giving his son, Slowe, the power to handle all of his financial assets. Slowe called and told me that old Mark's health is starting to deteriorate and although he's still healthy, Slowe is worried that Mark may need Medicaid assistance sometime in the future. Therefore, he wants to try to remove Mark's assets (which consist mainly of a $300,000 brokerage account) from his name and give his assets to his children. Slowe told me that Mark …show more content…

As stated in NY gen Oblig Law 5-1502 (M) as gifts to out the principal’s financial, estate or tax plans. The nephew did not follow through with this statute. Mr. Ferrara’s will clearly states that he wanted to his assets to go to charity and not family.
The court determined that notwithstanding the addendum removing the $10,000 limitation, the nephew did not make transfers in the Principle’s best interest as required by statute.
Application to Our Case
In our case Mr. Mark Downs has a will that states since his wife has passed previously then his surviving children are to receive all his assets including Slowe. So even though Slowe is the power of attorney, he can and should transfer the assets. Under the NY Gen Oblig Law 5-1501 it is stated clearly that the attorney in fact can make self-gifts as long as it is in the principle’s best interest, as well as minimizing income estate. In 1996 the Legislature amended 5-1501(1) adding M, authorizing the attorney in fact to make gifts to the principle’s spouse, children, remote descendants and parents not to exceed $10,000 in any year. This addition feels that gift giving is meant that the principal authorizes the attorney in fact “to make gifts either out right or to a trust for the sole benefit of one or more specific persons only for the purposes which the agent reasonably deems to be in the best interest of the principal, specifically including minimization of income estate, inheritance, generation skipping transfer

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