When a New Yorker creates a will, there are times when its legality will be challenged. To move forward with a will contest, there must be a good reason to do so. Challenging a will can be very difficult, but when there is a legal dispute, it is not impossible to have...
Probate Litigation
A trust can be litigated
Many Rochester, New York residents may have heard horror stories about families who go through long waits and a lot of hassle during the probate process and be told that they need a trust in order to "avoid probate." While it is true that having a trust cuts out much...
Famous TV’s stars heirs now locked in court battle
The two sons of Alan Thicke, a well-known actor whose claim to fame was the sitcom Growing Pains, have taken their feud with the actor's widow in to the courtroom. The boys' lawsuit claims the widow is making threats to demand more of the late actor's estate than what...
Representing New Yorkers in business estate disputes
As a previous post discussed, sometimes Rochester, New York, residents can find themselves embroiled in a probate legal dispute, even with other family members and loved ones. Oftentimes, these disputes arise because some heirs or beneficiaries question how the...
Businessman’s estate subject to legal dispute
Although it occurred in another state, a legal dispute that has erupted over a wealthy businessman's trucking empire has important lessons for Rochester, New York residents who may be going through similar estate litigation. This battle is between a brother and sister...
How courts could interpret New York wills
A previous post on this blog discussed how residents of Rochester, New York, can contest a will if they feel they have legal grounds to do so. Indeed, estate litigation, including will contests, can be very important when a person who has a right to an inheritance is...
When probate issues threaten an estate, we can help
Although Rochester residents usually try to plan their estates carefully in order to prevent disputes between family members, the taxing authority or other parties who stand to benefit from an estate, sometimes estate litigation still emerges. It is also not at all...
On what grounds can a will contest be based?
Losing a loved one can result in strong emotions, especially if family members do not get along or if there is a very sentimental attachment to certain items of the deceased's property. If a loved one in Rochester left a will, this can help sort out inheritance...
Estate litigation can be legally complex and emotionally charged
When people in New York die their assets will usually go through the probate process before being distributed to heirs. The person's surviving loved ones may be in a state of grief, and may be relying on the executor of their loved one's estate to take care of the...
If probate litigation looms on your horizon, an attorney can help
Regardless of the reasons, there are times when legal disputes may arise related to a loved one's estate plan. Anytime people have lost a loved one and probate litigation lands on the table, emotions can run extremely high. A great way to get help resolving these...