Hedgeman Law Firm

09/30/2026

Do you need a will, a trust — or both?

There isn’t one estate plan that works for everyone.

Your family situation, assets, business interests, long-term goals and the way you want property managed or distributed can all affect which estate planning tools make sense for you.

A good estate plan starts with understanding your circumstances first — and choosing the documents second.

Hedgeman Law Firm now offers Trusts & Estates services for individuals, families and business owners throughout New York.

09/29/2026

Board voting sounds simple until action needs to happen outside the usual meeting format.

In this Ask the Nonprofit Lawyer video, Catherine Hedgeman explains ways a nonprofit board may cast its vote and why the method matters.

Depending on the organization, its governing documents and applicable law, formal action may involve different procedures. The important point is that boards should understand the process before treating an informal exchange as an official vote.

Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFgKLGpdcqM&list=PLR2G5GfqABR4

Information provided by Hedgeman Law Firm is for general informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice.

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09/24/2026

Hedgeman Law Firm is expanding our services to include Trusts & Estates.

From estate planning and wealth transfer to probate, trust administration, and business succession planning, we help individuals, families, and business owners make thoughtful decisions about what comes next.

Estate planning is about more than preparing documents. It is about protecting the people, assets, and organizations that matter to you.

Learn more about our Trusts & Estates services at https://hedgemanlaw.com/trusts-estates.

09/23/2026

A strong nonprofit board does not need to know every legal answer from memory.

It does need to understand the organization’s basic governance framework.

Board members should know their fiduciary responsibilities, understand how the bylaws shape decision-making, know how potential conflicts are handled and have a clear picture of the board’s role in financial oversight.

They should also understand the line between governance and daily management.

When those basics are unclear, even well-intentioned boards can struggle with inconsistent decisions, unclear authority and avoidable conflict.

Board education is not simply for new directors. It is a useful reset for experienced boards as organizations evolve.

Use these five questions as a starting point for your next board discussion.

https://hedgemanlaw.com/nonprofit-board-training/

09/22/2026

Good governance is easier to build before a problem forces the board to focus on it.

In this installment of Ask the Nonprofit Lawyer, Catherine Hedgeman addresses an important question for nonprofit leaders: Why should a nonprofit engage a governance expert?

Board structure, governing documents, policies, and decision-making processes all shape how effectively an organization can carry out its mission. A governance review can help leadership identify areas that deserve attention and better understand when legal guidance may be useful.

Information provided by Hedgeman Law Firm is for general informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice.

09/21/2026

On September 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD) issued Opinion Letter FLSA2026‑12, addressing when employees of a nonprofit organization may volunteer for their employer and when those activities become compensable work. Read the letter: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/opinion-letters/FLSA/FLSA2026-12.pdf?udt892a8yj

09/17/2026

Nonprofit leaders have legal responsibilities that extend well beyond filing annual paperwork.

On September 25, Hedgeman Law Firm is hosting a morning with the Attorney General Charities Bureau featuring Nathan M. Courtney, Assistant Attorney General.

The program will focus on Attorney General oversight and enforcement, including what nonprofit organizations and their boards should understand about compliance and their responsibilities.

Join Catherine M. Hedgeman and Nathan Courtney for a practical discussion designed for nonprofit leaders, board members, and professional advisors.

September 25, 2026
8:30 AM registration
9:00 AM–11:00 AM program
Capital Region Chamber
5 Computer Drive, Albany, NY 12205

If your organization works with a nonprofit board, this is a timely opportunity to hear directly from the Charities Bureau and strengthen your understanding of the regulatory landscape.

Register today: https://bit.ly/NFPOversight

09/16/2026

A site can look perfect for a proposed project and still present zoning or approval issues that affect the plan.

Before substantial money is committed to architecture, engineering or construction estimates, it is worth understanding the property’s zoning classification, permitted uses, dimensional requirements and likely approval path.

Depending on the project, questions may include setbacks, parking, access, site plan review, special permits, variances or environmental review.

Early due diligence does not eliminate uncertainty. It does help a project team identify issues while there is still flexibility to adjust the concept.

The specific requirements depend on the property, proposed use and local regulations.

Before the plans become expensive to change, make sure the legal approval path is part of the project conversation.

https://hedgemanlaw.com/real-estate/

09/15/2026

The quality of a municipal meeting often depends on what happens before the meeting begins.

Board members should have enough time to review the agenda, applications and supporting materials so they understand the issues that may require discussion or action.

Preparation helps members ask more focused questions, identify missing information and make better use of the applicant’s and public’s time. It also reduces the pressure to make decisions about unfamiliar materials presented for the first time at the meeting.

Preparation still needs to respect the rules that govern public bodies, including requirements concerning meetings, deliberations and communications outside the public process.

Good preparation supports better questions. Better questions support better decisions.

Consider whether your current meeting process gives board members the information and preparation time they need.

https://hedgemanlaw.com/municipal-law-services/

09/10/2026

What is a nonprofit governance audit and why your nonprofit should consider conducting one.

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