There are many complicated matters that families need to address during probate proceedings in New York. The probate process begins by notifying the courts of someone's passing and empowering a personal representative to administer the estate. That personal...
Estate Administration
Can people minimize the risk of probate conflict among family members?
An individual's estate plan determines their legacy and can have a major influence on how other people remember them. The resources that they leave for other people and charitable causes can have a lasting impact on the world, and the instructions that they provide...
2 mistakes to avoid when contesting a will
A will is a vital part of estate planning. It offers numerous advantages, from naming beneficiaries of an estate to stating medical wishes should one become incapacitated. When the testator dies, the execution of the will should follow. However, it can be contested on...
Understanding your duties as estate executor
Administering the estate of a loved one in New York included addressing assets and debt. However, this is only the first step in a process that may take months to years for completion, depending on the size and complexity of the holdings. Kiplinger reports that...
Reviewing the probate process
Whether you are in the early stages of setting up an estate plan, a beneficiary in your loved one's estate plan or in charge of an estate, it is vital to go over various legal issues related to the probate process. Sometimes, people avoid probate altogether by...
What types of fraud can necessitate a will contest?
One reason that people need to contest a will is fraud. However, there are different types of fraud. Let's look at three common types.Fraud in the inducement: This is where a testator (the person writing the will) disposes of their property or revokes a will and makes...
What you should know about heirs-at-law and intestate succession
If a person dies without an estate plan (at least a will), state probate laws determine which relatives inherit their estate, what portion of it and under what circumstances. These people are called "heirs-at-law."These are also the people who would have "standing" to...
Guardianships vs. conservatorships: What’s the difference?
Good estate planning is about more than designating what will happen after you're gone. A well-drafted estate plan can and should designate who will make decisions for you if you become incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself. This could happen suddenly --...