26 North Shore Towers Courier n August 2013 ESTATE WARS Fighting over the Family Fortune Conflicts over inheritance and the family fortune are often the final straw that tears a family apart. When dividing up a small or large estate, emotions among family members can run high. Sisters may stop talking to each other, brothers almost come to blows. What is it about dividing the family estate that brings such raw feelings to the surface? What steps can be taken to avoid a family feud? At Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, we like to find resolutions without confrontation. We believe in trying to settle family squabbles and prevent family ruptures through proper planning or estate mediation. For families who are in a state of “estate conflict,” Mediation is less costly and less stressful than probate litigation or will and trust contests. Our attorneys are compassionate, committed and accomplished in the areas of elder law, trusts & estates and estate mediation. Our firm has helped hundreds families navigate fair, just and amicable solutions to dividing, distributing and transferring family wealth. 1-877- ELDER LAW • 1-877-ESTATES www.Fatoullahlaw.com Queens • Long Island • Manhattan • Brooklyn of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com ATToRnEy ADvERTiSing BY MAGGIE HAYES Felice Hannah is no stranger to public service. Hannah has been a Towers resident for seven years, and on day two hit the ground running, becoming a member of the library’s committee. “It’s always been my belief that if one wants to make a positive difference, one must become actively involved,” she said. Since her service beginnings, she has spent seven years on the House and Grounds committee, five on the Legislative Political Action committee and two years on the Country Club Gap committee. Before this year’s board elections, a friend suggested she graduate from committee member and make a run for the board. “Although I felt like I was making a difference on our committees, I felt I could make a bigger difference on our board,” she said. Hannah has been assigned to chair the Political Action Committee, a position that she is “thrilled” with. She said her goal is to keep the co-op affordable for the upper middle and middle class, and that become a political advocate for the Towers can benefit its economic interest. She cited a recent bill passed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, proposed by Assemblymember Ed Braunstein, to make taxes for co-op owners comparable with that of single-family homeowners and benefitting NST residents. For the future, Hannah plans to host a series of political forums for residents to keep them informed of political happenings both city and statewide. “The primary goal will be to listen and hear thoughts and ideas of the residents and take their concerns back to the legislators,” she said. She said she also plans to be a “constant companion” of the federal, state and city legislators to keep up to date on what bills they are proposing and how it will affect the Towers, and will invite various elected officials to visit. Outside of her political plans, Hannah also already enjoys working with the other board members immensely. “I am thrilled to find we are all working for the same goal,” she said. “We’re not working for a self-serving goal. We are working towards that which will improve the North Shore Towers and make the residents feel they are a part of many changes that may come.” THE COURIER/Photo by Maggie Hayes Felice Hannah New Board Member: FELICE HANNAH New Chair, Political Action Committee
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