Your will is one of the most important types of documents that you can own in a lifetime. By drafting your will with a lawyer, you can effectively address your last wishes and outline how you want your loved ones to inherit your wealth. However, this is not always the...
Many people assume that explaining their wishes to family members is enough. You might leave handwritten notes tucked away at home or trust that loved ones will remember conversations about property, medical care or final arrangements. In New York, these informal...
Adults need to have a valid will in place so that their loved ones know what to do with their assets after they die. This is a document that can provide those instructions in enforceable ways. As is the case with every state, there are specific requirements for...
Adults putting together estate plans typically prioritize creating testamentary documents. A will can name a guardian for minor children and can clarify who should receive which assets from their estate. A trust can create a very structured system for the distribution...
The executor will be responsible for initiating the probate proceeding of your will and fulfill the wishes that you expressed in it. Your executor will have a fiduciary duty to your estate, which means they will be held liable if they misuse your assets for their own...
There may be some situations in which people think they need to contest a will in New York probate court. Contesting a will can be expensive and stressful, so people may want to avoid doing so unless it is absolutely necessary. However, if a person believes that a...
You’ve taken the next step in life and had a child. You have started preparing for the reality of a new present, buying a crib, a carrier, a stroller, diapers and much more. You want to be ready for everything with your new bundle of joy. But what about preparing for...
In 2020, most of us conduct a lot of our lives with digital help. We use online banking and bill paying, we shop online, we take classes online and we even order takeout or groceries online. Now, many companies offer online DIY wills or software packages so you can...
When you welcome your first child, your life forever changes. For the first few months, you are busy caring for a newborn—figuring out how to soothe your child, feed them and survive some sleepless nights. While many parents do lots of research on the best car seat,...
Some may believe writing a “last will and testament” can wait until tomorrow. But tomorrow is not guaranteed. If you don't write or help create “a will” and pass on, New York State will take over and divide the assets. The state has defined standards for dividing an...
