Brooklyn and Nassau estate attorneys, as well as those assisting their clients throughout all parts of New York State, are often confronted with a myriad of issues relating to Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Article 81 Guardianship and estate settlement. In a typical situation, an individual may have prepared…
New York Probate Lawyer Blog
New York Women Must Plan Out Their Estates
A recent Forbes.com article by a Forbes Senior Editor makes the case for why women should be taking a more thorough approach to wills and estate planning in New York and throughout the country. The article leans on a recent survey by EZLaw, which the New York Probate Lawyer Blog…
New York Estate Planning Timing Good With Market Bad
A recent Wall Street Journal article reports that now is a good time to consider planning an estate in New York and elsewhere, given the volatility of the economy. With interest rates low and Congress increasing the federal gift-tax exemption to $5 million from $1 million for people until the…
IRS Provides Guidance for Executors of New York Estates for 2010 Deaths
A recent article on Forbes.com lays out the long-awaited guidance for executors of estates of people who died in 2010, explaining how executors can opt out of the estate tax and which tax rules apply to assets if they do. Being named an executor in a New York estate or…
In Death, Amy Winehouse Appears Clever After Smart Will and Estate Planning
Most would agree that the recent death of 27-year-old singer Amy Winehouse was tragic. Winehouse continually battled drug and alcohol addiction as her music made millions — including a song called “Rehab.” But she got her will right MSN Money reports. It leads a New York Estate Planning Lawyer to…
New York Executors Have Fiduciary Responsibilities and Are Subject to Court Review
The New York estate settlement process involves many different requirements and responsibilities. An Executor is the person or institution appointed by the Surrogate’s Court to administer or carry out the terms or provisions in a Last Will. The responsibilities of a person named as Executor begins immediately after the death…
Estate Litigation Can Complicate and Delay Settlement of Decedent’s Estates
Attorneys familiar with probating a Last Will throughout New York, such as in the Bronx and Brooklyn, are often confronted with issues that result in Court litigation. Many of these controversies involve family disputes and disagreements that have origins many years before the death of the decedent. Once a person…
Ten Tips for Planning Your Estate and Will in New York
As the New York Probate Lawyer Blog recently reported, a majority of Americans believe that planning an estate and putting together a will is important. However, as the survey also discovered, a majority of those questioned do not have the proper documents in place for themselves. A large percentage (36…
Manhattan and Other New York Couples Still Face Estate and Other Problems Under the Same-Sex Marriage Law
Beginning on July 24, 2011 same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in New York. As is common with most new laws, marriage equality provides many new estate and property rights while leaving unanswered other issues. As is provided throughout New York estate statutes such as the Surrogate’s Court Procedure…
Using Mental Hygiene Law Article 81 to Protect Family Members Key in New York Counties such as the Bronx and Westchester
It seems like every week you hear a story on the news or read in the newspaper about an elderly person who suffers physical abuse, either by a caretaker or family member. Sometimes the person victimized is handicapped or otherwise dealing with challenges in life. Sadly, it often takes law…