What is New York’s Pied-à-Terre Tax?
“Pied-à-terre” (French for “foot on the ground”) refers to non-primary residences used for occasional stays rather than a primary, year-round residence. On May 28, 2026, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget, which included a pied-à-terre surcharge tax on qualifying non-primary residences in
On December 12, 2025, Governor Hochul signed the New York Electronic Wills Act into law, making New York one of at least fifteen states that will permit wills to be signed electronically when it takes effect on December 12, 2027. [1] Below is an overview of what the new law provides and what to keep
After a decedent’s death, fiduciaries face income tax decisions that directly affect how quickly assets become available, when tax payments come due, and what returns must be filed. Often, the most meaningful opportunities for tax savings, and the most common missteps, arise not during the planning phase, but during the administration itself. This article focuses
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear welcomes Kenley Stark, Counsel in the Private Client Services Department at Wiggin and Dana, for an in-depth conversation about the complex lifecycle of art ownership. Together, they delve into the many stages collectors face—from the initial acquisition to the eventual sale
How is artificial intelligence reshaping estate planning discussions, and where does it fall short? In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear examines the growing role of AI in the estate planning process, as clients increasingly arrive with AI‑generated strategies in hand. While these tools can help simplify complex concepts
Gain insights into how high‑net‑worth families are leveraging Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) in their long‑term planning strategies in the latest episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning. Hosts Michael Clear and Erin Nicholls sit down with Carl Peterson of Lindberg & Ripple to break down what PPLI really is, who it’s designed for
In this episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear sits down with Brian Lasher, Managing Director at Euclid Harding, to explore why planning so often stalls – and what it takes to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Brian shares a human‑centered perspective on estate and succession planning, challenging the idea that
In this episode, host Michael Clear welcomes back Corporate Partner R.J. Kornhaas to unpack the critical responsibilities and risks associated with modern board membership. Michael and R.J. supply actionable insights on the legal and fiduciary duties board members must uphold, how to assess an organization before joining, and the questions every prospective director should ask.
In the latest episode of Future Focused: Sophisticated Estate Planning, host Michael Clear welcomes Allison Donaldson, Certified Financial Planner at HTG Investment Advisors. Michael and Allison discuss the interplay of legacy letters, also known as ethical wills, in estate planning and emphasize how these non-binding documents can convey personal values, stories, and intentions, helping to
Each year, thousands of taxpayers relocate for warmer weather, lower taxes or new opportunities. However, failure to properly change domicile can cost these taxpayers a hefty and unexpected tax bill. In a recent New York Tax Appeals Tribunal case, In the Matter of the Petition of John J. Hoff and Kathleen Ocorr-Hoff, the court