Estate Planning News

New members to the Committee on Professional Standards.

Presiding Justice Anthony V. Cardona of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, recently announced the appointment of three new members to the Third Department’s Committee on Professional Standards.

The Committee consists of twenty-one members, all of whom serve without compensation, and is charged with the investigation of alleged professional misconduct by attorneys who practice in the twenty-eight upstate counties which constitute the Third Department.

The three new members, who were each appointed to a three-year term expiring in March 2009, are:

Joseph M. Curtin, of Saratoga Springs - Mr. Curtin is a graduate of St. Michael’s College and received a Masters of Education degree from the University of Vermont. He was previously a Vice President and Acting President of The Sage Colleges and is currently the President of the Independent College Fund of New York, Inc., in Albany.

Leonard A. Govern, of Walton - Mr. Govern, a long-time resident of Delaware County, is the President and CEO of The Reporter Company Printers and Publishers, Inc. which is headquartered in Walton.

Edgar G. Purcell, Jr., Esq., of Glens Falls - Mr. Purcell is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and Georgetown University Law School. He practiced for many years as a partner in the Plattsburgh law firm of Stafford & Purcell.

The Presiding Justice also announced the re-appointment of Committee members Vincent Capasso, Jr., Esq., of Schenectady, Thomas C. Emerson, Esq., of Norwich, and Joan Tailleur, Esq., of West Coxsackie.

Finally, the Presiding Justice announced the appointment of Joseph M. Brennan, Esq., of Albany, as Chairperson of the Committee, for a one-year term, effective April 1, 2006. Hon. Philip S. Caponera, of Colonie, was appointed Vice Chairperson of the Committee, also for a one-year term, effective April 1, 2006.

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	Did You Know?
	A "Living Trust" can be used to hold legal title to and provide a mechanism to manage your property You can select the person or persons you want -- often even yourself -- as the Trustee(s) to carry out the instructions you want in the Trust and name one or more Successor Trustees to take over if you cannot. Unlike a Will, a Trust usually becomes effective immediately, continues in force during your lifetime even in the event of your incapacity, and continues after your death. Most Trusts are "revocable" which allows the person who creates the Trust to make future changes, modifications and even to terminate it.