By Equity Smart Realty Inc | www.equitysmartrealty.com The American Dream has long been defined by two core aspirations: entrepreneurship and homeownership. Yet, in recent years, the dream of owning a home has become increasingly difficult for many Americans. Whether you’re trying to buy a house or rent an apartment, rising costs and stagnant wages have […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. Guardianship laws in New York City (NYC) and New York State (NYS) are designed to protect individuals—commonly referred to as wards—who cannot manage their personal, financial, or medical affairs due to physical or mental incapacity. In cases where an adult child, living outside the United States and not a U.S. citizen […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. An analysis of the current Green Card Lottery system. If you are undocumented in the US, you are most likely not eligible. Be careful of lottery scams that can get you deported by notaries or lawyers. The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, often referred to as the Green Card Lottery, is […]
By Laila Khan, IMMIGRATION IMPACT | Editorial credit: 5 second Studio / shutterstock.com The American Immigration Council does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office. We aim to provide analysis regarding the implications of the election on the U.S. immigration system. For over a century, the United States has applied the principle of jus soli, […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Fernanda_Reyes / shutterstock.com Citizenship is one of the most valuable statuses an individual can acquire, offering legal protections, civic rights, and national belonging. In the United States, the primary routes to citizenship are birthright (jus soli), naturalization, and derivative citizenship. While birthright citizenship is conferred automatically to those […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Vitalii Vodolazskyi / shutterstock.com Estate planning is the process of arranging how your assets, wealth, and personal wishes will be managed, transferred, or distributed after your death. In New York State (NYS), as in many other jurisdictions, proper estate planning ensures that your loved ones are protected, your […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial Credit: Mavo/shutterstock.com Trusts are one of the most powerful and versatile tools in estate planning, offering significant advantages in terms of privacy, wealth management, and tax reduction. As the complexities of modern financial landscapes grow, trusts have become increasingly popular among individuals seeking to safeguard their assets, protect their […]
Editorial Credit: M_agency / shutterstock.com Are you buying a home for the first time? One of the key considerations you’ll need to make is just how much ‘house’ you want to buy. While going minimal is a good idea to save on costs, having a smaller living space can cramp your lifestyle in many ways. […]
By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial Credit: Andrey_Popov / shutterstock.com A partition action is a legal mechanism commonly used when two or more co-owners of a property cannot agree on what to do with the property. In your case, since you own 50% of a property, and the other party also owns 50%, a partition […]
Editorial Credit: Prostock/ shutterstock.com In a hot market it’s easy to be blinded by the competition and succumb to the pressure to make an offer on a home before you’ve adequately assessed it. If you’re looking to buy a home this summer, use these four tips to uncover hidden flaws before you put your offer […]