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Questions Answered by Benjamin Z. Katz
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate, Estate Planning and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Do my brother and I have any rights to Dad's house since he had no will?

Our parents owned our family house in Lynbrook, NY since 1962. My mother died in 1974. Dad married Clare soon after and in 1996 added C to the deed. He passed away in 2004. C removed his name from the deed. I have copies of the deed and subsequent alterations. Neither our father nor mother had a... View More

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answered on Feb 16, 2023

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Elder Law for New York on
Q: My mother has dementia, and her symptoms are progressing. I would like to know how to become power of attorney,

I am in new york

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answered on Jan 6, 2023

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: My husband's children say they want pictures and a few things of their mothers, (she is deceased) how should I proceed?
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answered on Dec 13, 2022

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?

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for New York on
Q: Elder law. Hello. my mother is 85 . how can I get control of her finances?

She has neglected her obligations for over 6 months. she is frail and forgetful. she's financially solvent Recently I helped her pay the following: rent arrears to the landlord's lawyers, Con Edison shut off notice, cable tv, land line phone, car insurance, car mechanic. but she cannot... View More

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answered on Aug 15, 2022

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.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: My mother passed away and had 4 children. What's the easiest process to get her house sold and have proceeds split?

The house is in her name, her live-in boyfriend has a few bills in his name but not on the house.

She did NOT have a will.

The house is in semi-okay condition. It needs a lot of work. I would like to know how/when I should get the process started for putting her house on the market... View More

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answered on Jul 2, 2022

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... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for New York on
Q: During the 5 year look back in a Medicaid application what type of expenditures are allowed and what are not allowed?
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answered on Jul 1, 2022

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... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: A colleague verbally asked I take care of her final affairs. I have Power-of-attorney (signed, witnessed, and notarized)

No health care proxy. She told me her wishes, and a Will was written for her to sign, get witnessed, and notarized, but her health turned (she's unconscious) so it's invalid. But I know her wishes. She has an estranged sister who is not the beneficiary (a non-relative third-party) of her... View More

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answered on Jun 19, 2022

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.

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New York on
Q: my aunt was watching my 2 dogs and i was away when i returned she had givimg them away to a

or without out my permision inever wanted her to do that thry are my babies so i contacted the place and they have refused to return them i have called emailed won in small claims court then rhey turn around with out me knowing vacted the claim and they still refues to return them i dont have any... View More

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answered on Jun 1, 2022

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

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for New York on
Q: MY FATHER RECENTLY DECEASED. HOW DO THE REMANING SIBLINGS HAVE THE RIGHT OF THE HOUSE.

THE DEED IS IN BOTH MY MOMS AND DADS. THE KIDS ARE NOT ON THE DEED. HOW DO WE PROCEED WITH THE CHANGE OF DEED WITH THE CHILDREN NAME ON IT IN CASE OF MOTHER PASSES AWAY. HOW DO WE INSURED THAT THE PROPERTY IS RIGHTFULLY OURS

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answered on May 19, 2022

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... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for New York on
Q: My mother has a will filed in Erie county ny She has passed away in a nursing home . She has no outstanding debt of any

Kind .all she has is a small joint checking account of 13,000 dollars. It is in her name and my name her daughter and I am executor of her will . Do I need to file probate or can I just close the joint account with proof of her death . There is no home or property or assets of any other kind . Ty... View More

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answered on May 4, 2022

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

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for New York on
Q: What if a living will was signed and witnessed and notorized but not completely filled out, mussing some important info.

Two people are named, 1 to recieve 50%, the 2nd 30%, but the other 20 is not mentioned in the will. The 1st 2 people however are fully aware of what the wishes were for the remaining amount, due to many verbal conversations prior to death,and in agreement of it. It just is not there. The 1st person... View More

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answered on Mar 13, 2022

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”.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for New York on
Q: My grandmother is in a nursing home and has a house she is the owner & her other granddaughter decided to rent her house

My grandmothers social security and the department of family pays for her nursing home. The granddaughter decided to rent out my grandmothers house without her consent. The people that are staying in the house said they have a contract with my grandmother through the granddaughter. However, my... View More

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answered on Mar 12, 2022

If there is a Power of Attorney, the agent named may be granted power to rent and collect rents. If your grandmother is having her nursing home stay paid for by Medicaid, income generated from rents from her home may be due to Medicaid. UsIng it as a rental property could be a major problem. Do... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: When a man passes away and doesn't have a will, who is the person responsible for making decisions on property left?

the relatives left behind are a 23 year old daughter, 16 year old son, and 13 year old girl. No spouse exists.

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answered on Mar 7, 2022

From the individuals mentioned, only the 23 year old daughter would qualify as an Administrator for the estate. Someone will need to apply to the Court to serve. Once they are granted Letters of Administration by the Court, they may collect all property, make transfers, sell, and manage assets.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and International Law for New York on
Q: What are the Legal Disadvantages of a CareTaker in a Will

If some one from my Friends or Extended Family is asking me, that they would like to write my name in there will as a Care Taker. If I say OK. What will be legal disadvantages in worst conditions for a Care Taker. If They are in Debts or can't pay the Hospital Bills in Future. Do I have to pay... View More

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answered on Mar 1, 2022

I am not sure what you have been asked to do. A Will is a document that states a person's wishes following their death. You would not be a caretaker of someone who has passed away. It is possible that you are being asked to be an agent under a Health Care Proxy, which is sometimes combined... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New York on
Q: My mother's veterinarian dropped the ball on her dog's diagnosis and now he is going to succumb to this disease

My mother brought her dog to the vet with lumps on his side, they told her he needed surgery and sent her home with antibiotics and Chinese herbs! it shrunk and she was told he did not need surgery. 2 months later he is diagnosed with mast cell cancer! When I consulted with his former veterinarian... View More

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answered on Feb 28, 2022

If the vet is a member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, you should file a complaint with them. They will investigate faster than the appropriate state agency. Their complaint can be found at:

https://nysvms.knack.com/complaints

If the vet is not a member, you will...
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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: We have a neighbor who is constantly sending us letters complaining about our barking dogs.

We have proof of her standing in front of our house deliberately taunting our dogs. Along with every letter she sent threatening us with the police and animal control. Do we have a harassment claim against her?

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answered on Feb 28, 2022

Whether this rises to the level of harassment will be a judgment call by the police or a local prosecutor. However, it may be a good idea to get her actions on record as a preemptive measure before she makes a complaint to the police. If your dogs are barking a lot and disturbing the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for New York on
Q: Can a landlord force you to put up a beware of dog sign for dogs that aren't even aggressive?

My property manager told me that I needed to get a beware of dog sign just for insurance purposes, because he knows they're not mean I went with it but I didn't think it was urgent then 2 days later he started harassing me saying I had 24 hours to get the sign or he'd contact a... View More

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answered on Feb 28, 2022

If his insurance company is requesting it and it is placing his coverage in jeopardy, it is reasonable. Your lease will set forth what the landlord may or may not request of you. However, unless you have some reason to refuse, it is not worth the trouble.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Based on that definition and the expectations of a fiduciary, does the client have a conflict of interest?

The client in your office is 1 of the 3 children whose mother just passed away intestate, owning only 1 piece of real estate and a bank account. The client has been living with his mother in the property and claims that he should be allowed to purchase the property from the estate, but at a lesser... View More

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answered on Jan 25, 2022

I'm not sure if you are asking about New York. However, in New York, if the decent left no Will, the client can certainly petition to be appointed as Administrator. Personal representatives commonly have an interest in the estate assets that may conflict with other potential heirs. Those... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: What possessions in a life estate belong to the homeowner?

We received our house through a life estate in 2020 from my mother in law's death. The deed is now in my wife's and my name. In her Will, which was not probated, she left the house furnishings to my daughters. Not very bright, but typical of her. One of my daughters lives with us and... View More

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answered on Jan 19, 2022

If you are the owners of the house, all fixtures are part of the house. Furnishings are items such as tables, sofas, beds, chairs, etc. If your daughter wishes to enforce that provision, the Will would first need to go through the probate process.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: My Dad passed away 30+ years ago, my brother is the executor of the estate and never fullfilled his obligation

Of dispensing the funds. The funds are in unclaimed funds and the monies are dwindling away. After numerous conversations and promises, he refuses to disperse the funds. I have filed a claim myself and provided them with the necessary proof, but they have advised me that as long as the executor is... View More

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answered on Jan 17, 2022

In NY, If all you need is a death certificate, you should be able to get one from the Dept of Health. If you wish to be appointed as the new Administrator of the estate, you will have to petition the court, describing the situation.

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