A family is never exempt from entering into a lawsuit or making bad business decisions that may put their assets at risk. A family trust is an efficient legal tool for protecting your inheritance that you have managed to treasure with years of effort. Read More
3 Common Reasons Wills are Contested
What Does A Probate Lawyer Do? The word probate refers to the official validation of a will, but the word only describes a few of the duties that a probate lawyer takes on. Here’s a rundown on some of the most essential services that a probate lawyer offers: Will and Trust Preparation Everyone wishes to leave behind something for their loved ones after they pass away, so that they can live a good life in their Read More
3 Common Reasons Wills are Contested
Most of us write down our wills and think our job is done. We think that with some basic estate planning we’ve ensured that our possessions will be passed down safely after our demise. But sadly, it’s not always that simple. Statistics show that every year about 0.5 to 3 percent of wills are contested in the US. So even if your will is properly signed and witnessed, there is still a chance for it to be Read More
Debt and Probate: What You Need to Know
Most people have their legacies, properties, and assets on their minds when drafting their Testament and Last Will. But several other things must be considered and specified in an estate plan. For example, specifying what happens to your outstanding debts or those of a loved one after they pass away is crucial. If you owed a loan or debt in your lifetime, your family will be responsible for paying for it, depending Read More
An Overview of the Probate Process in New York
In New York, probate is necessary for assets solely owned by the deceased and haven’t been legally bequeathed to a designated beneficiary. This means that if the property owner passes away without a written will, the probate court will distribute the estate according to the state laws. However, if the property holder leaves behind a will that stands uncontested, the probate has a limited role to play. What Are Read More
3 things to know about contesting a will in New York
Contesting a will is something you may need to do if your parent passes away and everything isn't as you expected. For instance, if you had previously been the main heir to your parent's estate and now it's going to someone outside the family, that could draw some red flags. If you're not sure that the will was changed appropriately, you can contest it. Here are a few things you need to know. Establish legal Read More
Where there’s a will, there’re family squabbles
Many individuals believe that simply the act of writing a will and getting it notarized will allow peace to reign amongst family members after the testator has passed on. Yet in many cases, this couldn't be farther from the truth, as it only sets the acrimonious process of probate in motion. Probate has been described as the " set of procedural laws that determine what happens to someone's property when they die Read More
Reasons for a New York will contest
As regular readers of our Queens probate and estate administration law blog know, we regularly cover topics that involve disputes over wills. In some cases, those disputes will include what is known as a will contest . Here in New York, anyone who is affected by a will can challenge the will. The New York City Bar Association notes that there are a number of reasons for will contests. One reason cited in Read More
