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 and social media accounts to cryptocurrency and cloud storage—are now a vital part of your legacy and require careful planning to ensure they’re managed according to your wishes. Why Include Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan? Growing Importance: Digital assets are increasingly valuable, both financially and sentimentally, and can include o

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 well-meaning individuals with “something in place” can unintentionally leave behind legal confusion, family disputes, or costly delays. Estate planning isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about protecting your family, your legacy, and your peace of mind. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revisiting your current documents, here are five of the most

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 Will, a Trust, or both?” The answer depends on your personal goals, family dynamics, and how much control and privacy you want over the distribution of your assets. In this blog post, we explore the key differences between Wills and Trusts — including how they work, the pros and cons of each, and what to consider based on your unique circumstan