As a New York City pet owner, you've formed a strong bond with your animal companion. But have you considered what would happen to your pet if you weren't around? New York State, the law views pets as personal property, making them part of your estate after you pass...
The probate process can be challenging and overwhelming after the passing of a loved one. Mistakes during probate can lead to costly delays, disputes and even legal battles. As you embark on this journey, you must be aware of the common mistakes you can commit. Are...
When you take the time to create an estate plan, you are likely doing so to ensure that your loved ones remain cared for after you are gone. You want to give your family a clear roadmap of your wishes and avoid conflict at all costs. However, even with the best...
Going through the challenges of estate planning can be demanding, especially for those who are not familiar with the legal process. One crucial aspect of estate planning involves knowing the roles of probate and nonprobate assets. If you are seeking to plan your...
If your loved one has an estate plan in place, there is the presumption that no issues will occur during the administration of the estate. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Even if steps were taken to avoid probate, this process might be necessary to...
The probate litigation process can be long, time-consuming, expensive and very public. Sometimes it can lead to contentious litigation that can rip apart families. In New York, depending on your estate planning goals, you very well could avoid probate entirely with a...
If you are an adult sibling who is unhappy with the way your parents’ estate was divided in their will, you may wonder if you have any legal recourse to challenge the will and get a fair share of the inheritance. Indeed, there are grounds for contesting a will in New...
Being appointed a personal representative of someone’s estate in New York comes with many duties and responsibilities. If you have never served in this role before, you probably have many questions. Having accurate information and a clear understanding of what being a...
There are many reasons a probate proceeding can get tied up in a legal dispute. Families in New York who are wanting just to see their loved one’s estates wrapped up will probably want to see these types of disputes resolved and with as little cost to the estate as...
In New York, when a person has a will, probate is a key part of the process of distributing their estate after they have died. It establishes that the will is valid and can be used to settle the decedent’s affairs. It also assesses the facts before allowing probate. A...