Those who put together an estate plan in New York typically want to provide something meaningful for the people closest to them. For example, many adults in New York wish to enrich the lives of their children and provide a final, meaningful memory for their children...
Estate Administration & Probate
How estate planning can help people pay for nursing homes
Many adults in New York set aside a million dollars or more to fund their retirement years. Oftentimes, people burn through a significant portion of those resources in the early years of their retirement when they are still active. Travel, gifts for loved ones and...
What happens when siblings disagree about a parent’s assets?
Estate disputes sometimes occur because two siblings simply do not agree on what their parent’s estate consists of. For example, perhaps your mother recently passed away. Your sister lived close to home and took care of her, while you mostly communicated by phone...
What if a sibling’s behavior interferes in probate proceedings?
The probate process is often frustratingly slow, especially for those who want access to their inheritance as soon as possible. Even when someone has a very thorough estate plan in place before their death, the need to notify creditors, wait for court hearings and...
The probate mistake that can cost an executor their money
There are numerous risks that you take when you agree to administer the estate of someone that you love. The responsibilities that you perform as the executor of an estate could damage the relationship that you have with one of the beneficiaries. Your responsibilities...
A do-it-yourself will isn’t enough for your estate plan
If you look up how to make a will right now, you’ll likely come across several free and paid sites that can make you a will in a matter of minutes. These programs often advertise quick and easy wills that cover everything you need – but, that’s often far from the...
There are 2 estate taxes that could apply to your legacy
Your estate plan needs to address not just your assets but also your obligations. It is a common oversight for people creating wills and similar testamentary documents to focus solely on what they want to give to others and not consider outside factors that will...
Have investment properties? Here’s what happens when you die
If you have spent your time investing, you probably have several properties that you’d like to pass on to your loved ones when you pass away. To do that, you will need to include those properties in your estate plan. There are a few different ways that you can pass on...
Why sibling estate disputes can be so difficult to resolve
In cases where siblings, now adults, wind up in a dispute over their parents’ estate, things can get very complicated. These types of disputes can be much harder to resolve than you would expect. The problem is that there's a lot more going on than just the...
Could you be at risk of guardianship as you grow older?
The goal of guardianship is to protect an adult left vulnerable due to mental health issues or a lack of testamentary capacity. If someone cannot make good decisions on their own behalf and manage their independent life without support, concerned family members or...