The Social Security Administration has announced a 1.6 percent increase in benefits in 2020, nearly half of last year's change. The small rise has advocates questioning whether the government is using the proper method to calculate the cost of living for older Americans and those with disabilities. Cost-of-living increases are tied to the consumer price index, and a modest upturn in inflation rates and gas prices means Social Security recipients will get only a small boost in 2020. The 1.6 [...]

Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, has been named a Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” in Binghamton for eight of its practice areas by US News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" in 2020. Firms included in the 2020 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. LG&T received Tier 1 rankings in [...]

Everyone has heard the terms "will" and "trust," but not everyone knows the differences between the two. Both are useful estate planning devices that serve different purposes, and both can work together to create a complete estate plan. One main difference between a will and a trust is that a will goes into effect only after you die, while a trust takes effect as soon as you create it. A will is a document that directs who will receive your property at your death and it appoints a legal [...]

Ideally, when a second marriage joins two families together, it should be a joyous occasion that creates one bigger family unit. Unfortunately, it too often also creates inheritance fights between stepparents and children. A good estate plan is necessary to help avoid these types of family squabbles. Complications can arise when two people who both have children from previous relationships marry. Married people typically leave everything to their spouse, so children from the previous [...]

October 15, 2019 Arbitration Award for the Policy Limit In a written decision, an American Arbitration Association arbitrator awarded a Levene, Gouldin & Thompson client the full policy limit available for injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident.  Allstate had offered no money to settle the claim, taking the position that our client’s physical problems were not caused by the accident.  John L. Perticone, Esq. presented witnesses and documentary evidence convincing the [...]