A will may be the estate planning document that most New York residents are familiar with, but a living trust can also be beneficial in certain circumstances. A trust functions in much the same was as a will because it tells how your assets are to be divided, but it...
The cy-pres doctrine is employed when the original charitable purpose of a charitable trust is no longer possible to carry out. Because charitable trusts can continue on into perpetuity, it is not uncommon for trusts to outgrow or outlive their original purposes. When...
When a loved one dies and you expect to be included in the inheritance, it can be quite a blow to discover that you are not in the will. It may come as a shock and you may not know what steps to take because you are grieving the loss already. Contesting a will is not...
Have you thought about your personal future if you become ill or incapacitated? Long term care planning is an essential part of any responsible estate plan. Without these critical documents, you may leave your New York family members or beneficiaries without any...
When a person dies in New York State after having previously formed a will, that person is then considered a testate decedent. The Surrogate's Court of New York has the authority to supervise the appointment and qualification of any individuals named in the will as...
Nobody likes to think of heirs fighting over possessions, money or power after his or her death, but this is an all too common reality. Many people lose parts of their inheritance due to battles over the estate, but New York residents can lower the risk of a dispute...
During the next 30 to 40 years, the baby boomer generation is expected to leave approximately $30 trillion worth of inheritances to their children. These individuals will want to prepare their wills and estates the right way in order to limit the possibility of...
Losing a family member is always rough. Grief can be debilitating but is a necessary process that can also bring healing. The process of probating a will is often a task that is best done by a professional who can represent you instead of you having to deal with it....
Who can challenge a will? This may seem like a silly question -- you should be able to challenge any relative's estate plan, right? Not so fast. Experts in New York say that contesting a will requires a very specific set of circumstances. A relative who is miffed...
Although most of us dread thinking about our mortality, the fact remains that one day we will all eventually move on and leave other family members behind. Even if you don't own much property or assets, taking the time to create a will before you pass can save your...
