In light of intensified immigration enforcement (ICE), it is crucial for non-citizens in the U.S. to have a legal contingency plan. Preparing for the unexpected is not just about financial security; it is about family integrity. ❓ Key Vulnerabilities For those residing in the U.S. for years, sudden removal presents two main risks: the inability to manage U.S.-based assets (real estate, bank accounts) and the potential loss of custody of minor children to state agencies. ✅ The

Li Chunping, once dubbed "China's Top Philanthropist," returned to Beijing in the early 90s with a fortune inherited from a Hollywood icon. His story, while sensational, highlights critical vulnerabilities in estate planning—specifically concerning deathbed marriages and the inheritance rights of cryopreserved embryos. ❓ The Legal Risks of "Last-Minute" Planning Li married his benefactor just six months before her death from cancer. In US probate law, this timing is a major "

In New York, posthumous conception is no longer science fiction—it is a complex legal reality. Whether a child conceived after a parent’s death can inherit millions depends heavily on proactive legal planning. ❓ Case Studies: Intent vs. Documentation Case 1: Matter of Martin B. (2007) A wealthy patriarch’s trust was challenged when his deceased son’s widow used frozen sperm to conceive children via IVF. The NY court ruled in favor of the children, finding that the grantor’s

For many immigrant families in New York, a trust is a functional necessity rather than a luxury. With family members often holding diverse immigration statuses or living overseas, the U.S. probate process can become a multi-year legal hurdle. ❓ The Challenge: Navigating the Surrogate's Court When assets pass through a Will, they must be validated by the Surrogate’s Court. In high-population areas like New York City and Long Island, this process is notoriously slow, often taki

The belief that trusts are only for the ultra-wealthy is a major misconception. In practice, trusts serve as functional legal tools for everyday families to protect their primary residence and secure the future of children with special needs. ❓ Problem Analysis: Protecting Assets and Eligibility Middle-class families often face two critical scenarios where a simple Will is insufficient: Medicaid Estate Recovery: Seniors utilizing Medicaid for long-term care risk having the go

Protecting Wealth Boundaries In New York, children with autism or other special needs are eligible for substantial government benefits in education and healthcare. However, leaving an inheritance directly to these children can disqualify them from essential programs like Medicaid or SSI. This article explores how to balance asset inheritance with government support. Planning Tool Purpose Benefit Special Needs Trust Holds assets for the child's benefit without counting toward

Protecting Wealth Boundaries The recent high-stakes dispute between the LVMH boss and the Hermès heir, involving assets worth billions, has put a spotlight on managing and transferring colossal fortunes. It exposes a common flaw among high-net-worth (HNW) founders: the belief that complex wealth planning can be fully delegated to assistants.  As legal counsel in this space, we stress that for complex, cross-border asset transfers, the founder's personal involvement is non-neg

📜 Introduction In wealth succession planning, many clients perceive a Trust  as more comprehensive but also more complex than a Prenuptial Agreement . A common concern is timing: Do these tools need to be finalized by a rigid deadline? And once established, can they be modified to adapt to life's changes? This article delves into the key aspects of timing, flexibility, and ongoing management  for both Prenups and Trusts. ❓ Problem Analysis: Timing Constraints and Asset Fluid

🔍 Defining and Defending Wealth Boundaries When planning their wealth, many clients ask: "Do a Prenuptial Agreement (Prenup)  and a Trust  serve the same function? Do I only need one?" This confusion is especially common among young couples about to marry who are receiving substantial gifts from their parents. This article will clarify the distinctions and explain why a modern wealth strategy requires both  as a "dual insurance" policy. ❓ Problem Analysis: Overlapping Goals,

🔍 The "Seeking Medical Advice" of Legal Services Navigating the complex world of legal issues, many people face a primary dilemma: How do I find an attorney who is both reliable AND a good fit for me?  The legal field is similar to medicine—it's highly specialized and deeply segmented. As a "layman," it's challenging to gauge a lawyer's professional capability and service quality quickly. This article will break down how to accurately identify and select the legal profession

In Part 1 of our interview series, we introduced the journey of Min Shi, founder of The Shi Law Group — from Nanjing University to top...

From her roots at Nanjing University to earning a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Virginia, Min Shi’s journey is one of...

In today’s digital world, your estate plan must go beyond physical property and financial accounts. Digital assets—everything from email...

Most people don’t realize they’ve made an estate planning mistake—until it’s too late. At The Shi Law Group, we’ve seen how even...

When it comes to estate planning, one size doesn’t fit all. One of the most frequent questions we hear from clients is: “Do I need a...