Sverdlov Law PLLC

Sverdlov Law PLLC Katya Sverdlov focuses her practice on estate planning, special needs planning, Medicaid planning, e Contact Katya at 917-566-8151 for a free consultation.

Katya Sverdlov focuses her practice on Medicaid planning, estate planning, special needs planning, elder law, and business succession issues. With more than a decade of experience on Wall Street and as a CFA charterholder, Katya can understand your financial and accounting issues. With the combination of legal and financial knowledge, Katya will create a plan that works best for your family and your goals.

We’ve recently been asked, “Do I really need a trust? Or can I just leave everything to my spouse and/or kids outright?”...
06/10/2026

We’ve recently been asked, “Do I really need a trust? Or can I just leave everything to my spouse and/or kids outright?”

This is one of the most common questions families ask during estate planning conversations. On the surface, leaving assets directly to loved ones feels simple, familiar, and easy to understand. Many people assume a will is enough and that everything will naturally work itself out.

But estate planning is not only about what feels simple today. It is about what actually happens to your assets years, or even decades, into the future.

And that is where trusts often become much more important than people initially realize.

Click here to learn more: https://sverdlovlaw.com/do-i-need-a-trust/

One of the most important decisions in creating a trust is choosing the right trustee. It’s easy to overlook, but this i...
06/04/2026

One of the most important decisions in creating a trust is choosing the right trustee. It’s easy to overlook, but this is the person who will actually be responsible for carrying out your wishes when you’re not there to guide those decisions.

A trustee needs to be responsible, organized, and able to make clear decisions even in emotionally difficult situations. Sometimes that’s a trusted family member. Other times, it may be better to use a professional trustee to avoid conflict and keep things neutral.

What many people don’t realize is that the trustee isn’t just managing money, they’re making judgment calls over time about how and when funds should be used. Those decisions can directly impact a beneficiary’s financial stability and even family relationships.

That’s why choosing the right trustee matters so much. The wrong choice can lead to confusion or conflict. The right one helps everything run smoothly and ensures your wishes are actually followed the way you intended.

If you’re creating a trust or aren’t sure who should serve as trustee, it’s important to get guidance before making that decision. Contact Sverdlov Law, PLLC to discuss your options and make sure your plan is set up the right way from the start: https://calendly.com/rochelle-sverdlovlaw/15min

We would be happy to assist you.

A lot of people think estate planning is just about who gets what, but that’s only part of the story...The bigger questi...
06/02/2026

A lot of people think estate planning is just about who gets what, but that’s only part of the story...

The bigger question is often what happens after the inheritance is received, and whether it actually supports the person it’s meant for. That’s where trusts come into play.

Some situations involve financial inexperience. Others are about life circumstances that make stability harder at certain times than others. Take Jordan, for example…

Jordan has struggled with addiction and has experienced periods of both recovery and relapse. Jordan’s parents love and support him deeply, but they also understand that receiving a large lump-sum during a vulnerable period could create serious risk.

If Jordan received everything outright, there would be no structure around how the money is used, and support could unintentionally turn into harm.

Instead, Jordan’s parents created a trust.

The trustee is able to step in and ensure the money is actually used for what helps most, such as recovery programs, counseling, housing, medical care, and other necessary support.

During periods of stability, the trustee can allow for more flexibility and broader support. During periods of relapse, distributions can be directed more tightly toward treatment providers and essential needs, rather than cash in hand.

That structure doesn’t take away dignity, it protects it. It keeps support consistent, even when life isn’t.

At the end of the day, a trust is really just a way to make sure support stays aligned with need, even when circumstances change.

If you’re concerned about how an inheritance may be handled in the future, now is the right time to plan ahead. Contact Sverdlov Law PLLC today to discuss trust options for your family: https://calendly.com/rochelle-sverdlovlaw/15min

We would be happy to assist you.

One of the most important decisions in creating a trust is choosing the right trustee. It’s easy to overlook, but this i...
05/29/2026

One of the most important decisions in creating a trust is choosing the right trustee. It’s easy to overlook, but this is the person who will actually be responsible for carrying out your wishes when you’re not there to guide those decisions.

A trustee needs to be responsible, organized, and able to make clear decisions even in emotionally difficult situations. Sometimes that’s a trusted family member. Other times, it may be better to use a professional trustee to avoid conflict and keep things neutral.

What many people don’t realize is that the trustee isn’t just managing money, they’re making judgment calls over time about how and when funds should be used. Those decisions can directly impact a beneficiary’s financial stability and even family relationships.

That’s why choosing the right trustee matters so much. The wrong choice can lead to confusion or conflict. The right one helps everything run smoothly and ensures your wishes are actually followed the way you intended.

If you’re creating a trust or aren’t sure who should serve as trustee, it’s important to get guidance before making that decision. Contact Sverdlov Law PLLC today to discuss your options and make sure your plan is set up the right way from the start: https://calendly.com/rochelle-sverdlovlaw/15min

We would be happy to assist you.

Many people think estate planning is just about who gets what. But in reality, a big part of it is what happens after th...
05/28/2026

Many people think estate planning is just about who gets what. But in reality, a big part of it is what happens after they get it.

Because money doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It shows up in real life, with real pressures, relationships, and decisions that aren’t always easy to manage in the moment. That’s where come into play.

Take Alex for example...

Alex has always been incredibly generous. Friends often come to Alex for help, and Alex struggles to say no. Although hardworking and caring, Alex has lived paycheck-to-paycheck for years and has trouble managing large amounts of money responsibly.

If Alex inherited $500,000 outright, friends might begin asking for loans, and a new partner could encourage expensive purchases, luxury vacations, or risky investments. Within a short period of time, the inheritance could disappear.

Instead, Alex’s parents created a trust. The trustee helps to pay for stable housing, student loans, healthcare expenses, and long-term savings. When people ask Alex for money, Alex can honestly say, “I do not control the trust directly, so I cannot help you.”

That structure not only protects the inheritance, but also helps preserve Alex’s personal relationships and financial security. At the end of the day, it’s less about control, and more about making sure the money actually does what it was meant to do.

If you’re concerned about how an inheritance may be handled in the future, now is the right time to plan ahead. Contact Sverdlov Law PLLC today to discuss trust options for your family: www.calendly.com/rochelle-sverdlovlaw/15min

We would be happy to assist you.

“𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲”When parents leave money to children, the int...
05/21/2026

“𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲”

When parents leave money to children, the intent is usually to support them—not to enrich a future ex-spouse. But in practice, outright inheritances often become vulnerable to divorce, creditor claims, or poor financial decisions. A properly structured trust helps prevent that outcome by separating family wealth from a child’s marital estate.

𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Inheritance can remain separate property in divorce. The problem is that they often don’t. Funds get commingled, used for shared expenses, or invested into jointly titled assets. Once that happens, the inheritance can become partially or fully exposed in divorce proceedings.

A discretionary spendthrift trust avoids this issue entirely. The child does not own the assets—the trust does. A trustee manages distributions, which means a divorcing spouse generally cannot claim direct rights to trust property. This creates a stronger legal separation between inherited wealth and marital claims.

𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗱

Modern trusts can be designed to support real-life needs, including housing, education, health, business opportunities, and family support. Trustees can make discretionary decisions based on circumstance, rather than automatic distributions that may later create risk.

You can also give your child a power of appointment, allowing them to decide how remaining assets pass at death, while still protecting those assets during life from creditors and divorce claims.

Protecting an inheritance means protecting it through life’s most pivotal moments. At Sverdlov Law PLLC, we can help you structure a modernized trust designed for long-term family protection and peace of mind.

To schedule a consultation, contact us today: https://calendly.com/rochelle-sverdlovlaw/15min

05/19/2026

If you have a child, this is one decision you should NOT put off!

If you have a child, this is one decision you should NOT be putting off.Becoming a parent shifts your priorities instant...
05/19/2026

If you have a child, this is one decision you should NOT be putting off.

Becoming a parent shifts your priorities instantly—including how you protect your family.

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲:

1. The court gets to decide who raises your child

2. Someone else is allowed to manage their financial future and

3. There may be delays in accessing funds for their care

𝗕𝘂𝘁, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼:

1. Name a guardian you trust

2. Set clear financial protections and

3. Decide how and when your child receives assets

It’s not an easy topic, but it’s extremely important to discuss.

Planning ahead means your child is protected, no matter what.

If you’d like to talk through your situation and explore your options, we’re here and happy to help whenever you need us: https://calendly.com/rochelle-sverdlovlaw/15min?month=2026-04

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