Surrogate Court Procedure Act (SCPA) Sec. 1401 authorizes a proceeding to compel anyone who has custody of the original Will to produce it. If you are a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, you are eligible to receive a copy of the death certificate if one has been issued. You would... Read more »

If you wish to challenge a decision or order, you may move to reargue and also appeal. Moving to reargue does not preclude an appeal.

No. A Power of Attorney is only effective during the lifetime of the person signing (the principal). Once that person dies, it is no longer in effect. Upon being appointed, an Executor has full power to collect the decedent's assets and administer the estate.

If Clare was added to Deed as a joint tenant, she was entitled to 100% when your dad passed away. If she is listed as a tenant in common with your dad, you may be entitled to something.

Estate proceedings are brought in state and county of decedent’s residence. If there is a Will, it is brought as a probate proceeding. If there is no Will, it is an administration proceeding. Once the court appoints a fiduciary for the estate in New York, an additional (ancillary) proceeding can... Read more »

Your mother must be able to understand what she is signing for her to execute a Power of Attorney. If she is unable to do so, you will need to apply for guardianship with the Court.

Sister’s share becomes part of her estate. If she died without a Will, after certain property is exempted, the first $50,000 goes to the spouse and the rest gets split 50% to spouse and 50% to be split evenly by the children.

The question you have presented does not appear to be a legal one. What reason do you have for withholding pictures of their deceased mother?

Let me understand what you are asking. Your friend's brother passed away leaving, what may possibly be an invalid or fraudulent Will. It was submitted to the court by his health aide who, I assume, was named the Executor. Your friend objected to the aide's appointment. You want to now... Read more »

If you want the forms, they are available to the public at:

http://ww2.nycourts.gov/forms/surrogates/smallestate.shtml

You can find a notary fairly easily if you want to do it all yourself. Otherwise, many attorneys who practice in the area of probate and administration can prepare... Read more »

I would need more information to answer this question. Does this letter prescribe an emotional support animal? Is your regular doctor a mental health professional? I assume your residence has a no pets policy. If that is the case, there are limited situations where a landlord may refuse to... Read more »

By surrendering them, you have no further legal claim. If they are being re-homed, you can apply to adopt them. However, your inability to provide for their medical needs in the past will likely be taken into account.

If you believe she can understand what she is signing and wants to do so, she can sign a POA. If she does not understand or understands but does not want to, you will need to petition for guardianship. You should not try to do this without speaking with an attorney.

By operation of law, ownership of the property passed to the children. You may be able to avoid filing a petition is Surrogate's Court. However, there are pros and cons. You should consult with a probate attorney and then consult with a real estate attorney to handle the sale. Many... Read more »

Expenditures are not generally an issue. The concern is when there is a substantial transfer without value received in return. For instance, paying $1000 per month for rent will not raise eyebrows so long as there is no question that the rental unit was being occupied. On the other hand, paying... Read more »

The Power of Attorney is valid during her lifetime. If it gives you power to make financial decisions and transactions, you can pre-pay for burial and funeral arrangements now, including the headstone.

To recover your dogs, you would need to commence and action for replevin.

If the property was acquired by your parents during their marriage, it was probably owned as a “tenancy by the entirety”. That means when your father died, your mother was automatically 100% owner. There are several options to make sure it goes to the kids upon her death. She can sign a new... Read more »

If you are a joint owner it is your account as much as it was hers. No need to probate her will.

Your question appears to be about a Will. A living will something different. However, usually if percentages fall short of the full amount, any mention of the residuary means whatever is left. See if the Will mentions “residuary” or “residual”.