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...
Wills
What happens when a will is contested?
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...
4 considerations when naming a guardian for your child
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...
Are there disadvantages to creating a DIY will?
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...
5 reasons why new parents need a will
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,...
The importance of a last will and testament
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...
Talking to your husband about creating a will
Discussing death with your spouse can be sad and frightening. Most husbands and wives do not want to think about a future without one another, and the thought of creating a will for your assets after you die seems too presumptuous. Developing a will is a responsible,...
Is there a kind way to disinherit a child?
Part of a parent's job is to provide for their children. However, as kids get older and start making their own decisions and leading their own lives, they need -- or want -- less from their parents. As a result, many parents adjust their wills when children get older....
Everyone’s favorite topic: confronting their own mortality
We all agree that it is smart to write wills explaining how we want our life assets to be divided. But – only about half of us get around to making our intentions clear. A major reason for this failure is human nature: the topic of our own death makes us...
Lessons from the Rich & Foolish – Don’t Put Off Writing Your Will
Last year, when Prince died at the age of only 57, the iconic musician's death took almost everyone by surprise - not least of his closest surviving family members, who were shocked to learn that the singer had never written a will. According to a Gallup Poll taken in...