Category Archives: Probate
Trust Administration Versus Probate: Which Should You Choose?
Following a great deal of speculation regarding the possibility of a will contest, actor James Gandolfini’s will has been filed for probate with apparently no problems among his heirs. The former Sopranos star, whose estate is estimated at $70 million, arranged for most of his assets to transfer to his beneficiaries outside of probate. The… Read More »
Can a Copy of a Will Be Submitted in New York When the Original Is Lost?
An Indian court has finally ruled on a decades-old royal dispute involving the estate of Harinder Singh Brar, the last maharajah of Faridkot, which was a tiny kingdom in Punjab before it was absorbed into India in 1947. The dispute pitted the palace officials against the surviving princesses. Brar died in 1989, leaving a wife,… Read More »
Where Should Your Original Will Be Stored?
Hurricane Sandy may have caused more damage on Staten Island than in any of the five boroughs of New York City. Houses were destroyed and at least 23 people were killed as the storm tore through the coast. As the cleanup and rebuilding continues, residents should start dealing with replacing important documents and records that… Read More »
The Complications of Probating Large Estates
Individuals and couples with very large estates face a number of complications during the probate process. Common issues that arise include: Gathering assets. The executor of a person’s will is responsible for gathering assets for probate. This process is more complicated when there are many types of assets titled in different ways such as property… Read More »
How Do I Transfer Property in My Mom’s Name After Her Death?
When a loved one passes away, the emotional rollercoaster you experience is compounded by the paperwork and legal formalities that need to be finalized. Transferring property that once belonged to your parent into your name is a common challenge that arises at this time. The way you transfer property after the death of a loved… Read More »
The Responsibilities of an Executor
Actor Cory Monteith, well-known for playing heartthrob Finn Hudson in the popular TV series Glee, died unexpectedly in June of this year at only age 31. Little has been reported about the future of Mr. Monteith’s estate, estimated as being worth some $2 million. This tragedy underlines the importance of having a will in place…. Read More »
How to Deal With the Unexpected
Each year, the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy reminds us how fragile life is and how quickly tragedy can strike. The unexpected death of a loved one is a personal tragedy that affects people deeply and permanently. Learning of a loved one’s untimely passing can make people feel lost and overwhelmed. Stages Of Grief In… Read More »
The Estate Plan You Already Have
Warren Hillman was a federal employee who owned a Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Policy with a death benefit worth over $124,000. Hillman had named his former wife, Judy Maretta, as the beneficiary on that policy. When they divorced, Hillman neglected to change that designation, even after he remarried. When Hillman died in 2008,… Read More »
What If I Own Property in Another State?
According to a National Association of Realtors 2013 survey, vacation home sales rose to more than 550,000 last year, up about 10 percent from 2011. This means that more and more New Yorkers are likely to die owning estates that include property in another state, such as a vacation home in Maine (where fully eight… Read More »
Who Will Be My Executor?
If you write a will, one of the most important decisions you make will be choosing the executor. The executor is the person in charge of presenting the will to the court and carrying out your wishes as expressed in the will. A New York elder law attorney can help you make an appropriate choice…. Read More »