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New York Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Insurance Bad Faith, Probate and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Grandfather died. My mother who was his listed as the beneficiary died 9 days after him? He had no will. What happens?

He has 3 other children who are full siblings to my mother. This is in Brooklyn NY, NYC.

Uncle says life insurance payout is on hold because they need my mother's death certificate.

Uncles not forthcoming with information and seem to be trying to get death certificate without me knowing.

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Oct 30, 2024

Listed as beneficiary where? For grandfather, if no will, estate passes by intestacy. Did you Mother have a will?

Jack

4 Answers | Asked in Banking, Elder Law, Estate Planning and Securities Law for New York on
Q: Is there anyone NOT afraid to sue FIDELITY INVESTMENTS for elder abuse and breach of contract/ fiduciary duty?

for over a year fidelity has been holding my mothers money, she had a stroke named me as power of attorney snd they refuse it and now she has no access to her money and is sick and cannot pay her bills or get her medications etc because. they blocked her account she has been there for 40 Years and... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Oct 27, 2024

What is the reason they do not wish to honor the power of attorney? Was it drafted by an attorney on the New York Short Form? If it is a valid POA, they can be compelled to honor it. Otherwise, you would need to apply for guardianship of your mother.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: Grandfather died on October 6. My mother who is one of 4 Children of his died October 15.

Far as I know he had no will. Life insurance policy had no beneficiary and bank accounts totaling 90,000 plus are currently frozen. Is my mother legally owed any of the money. Also there's another policy that has not been claimed. What happens if my mother is named a beneficiary?

We... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Oct 27, 2024

When there is no beneficiary named, the account will be paid to the decedent’s estate. If there is no Will, someone must apply to the Surrogate’s Court for Letters of Administration. The priority of who may apply is 1) Spouse, 2) Children, 3) Parents, 4) Siblings. The grating of Letters of... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: NYC-- who inherits the house?

Background: House located in NYC/Kings County

Characters: Mother (deceased), father, self, brother, half-brother

Backstory: House purchased in 1974, In fathers name only. he is breadwinner, mother is homemaker. Mortgage paid off 1987. In 1988, father add mothers name to deed. in... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Oct 13, 2024

The father likely inherits as the surviving spouse but the language in the deed will govern it.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Estate Planning for New York on
Q: If wife signs a deed as executor when no estate was ever filed or executor appointed is it valid to transfer real estate
David Marc Deemer
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answered on Oct 12, 2024

If no estate was opened, your wife did not receive Letters Testamentary and therefore cannot act on behalf on behalf of the estate, which includes signing a deed.

Your wife, assuming she is the named Executrix in the Will must submit the Will for probate in order to receive Letters...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: Can you tell me a change you might see in a free print off will from 2021 vs one you would print off today 2024

My dads ex girlfriend forged his will I have a lawyer, she used the website Eforms, she said he signed it 2021, the website says the NYS will was updated in May of 2024 but the company will not tell me what they exactly updated. I was thinking maybe it used to be that the witnesses could sign it... View More

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Oct 1, 2024

There's no way of knowing. Are you planning to contest the Will?

Jack

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: I would like information on helping my elderly parents plan their wills.
Jason D. Jones
Jason D. Jones
answered on Sep 5, 2024

Please arrange for your parents to have a one hour consultation with my office either in person, phone or video conference. The fee is $350 and must be paid in advance of the consultation and you may remit payment via the link below. Once you have done so, please call my office to schedule a time... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for New York on
Q: A parent has a trust with 2 beneficiaries. Give a house to one kid now and give half the value to the other.

A parent has a trust with 2 beneficiaries. We would like to move a house into a separate trust with only one beneficiary. So the house is being given to one child but the other should get half of the 2024 value somehow

Not sure the best way to do this so the other child gets half the 2024... View More

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Aug 30, 2024

Giving the house to one beneficiary now could have many unintended negative consequences such as loss of step up in basis at the death of the gift giver and a hefty Medicaid penalty period assessed against the gift giver on account of the lifetime uncompensated transfer.

This is not the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for New York on
Q: MY SISTER INLAW DIED 2019 LIVED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO POOR HEALTH WE CAN'T TRAVEL TO PR-NEED A PROBATE LAWYER TO HELP

WE NEED A LAWYER TO GET INTO SAFTY DEPOSIT BOX TO SEE IF DEED TO PROPERTY IS THERE AND RETRIEVE MONEY AND JEWELRYAND SELL HOUSE-WE HAD THE WILL REGESTERED/CERTIFIED IN PR COURT-COVID CLOSED THE COURTS AND WE HAD TO LEAVE BEFORE AIRPORTS CLOSED-WE CAN NO LONGER TRAVEL WANT TO SELL THE HOUSE... View More

Bonnie Lawston
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Bonnie Lawston
answered on Aug 30, 2024

Please email us the details and information at bonnielawstonesq@gmail.com.

631-425-7299

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Do the two signatures on a will have to be verified?

My husband died recently and named me Executrix of his Last Will and Testament. The will was made in 1974 in New York and signed by my husband, our attorney and an employee. I am told that the signatures need to be verified. Our attorney is deceased and there is no one to verify his signature.... View More

Cesar Mejia Duenas
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answered on Aug 22, 2024

I'm sorry for your loss. In New York, for a will to be valid, it must be executed in compliance with New York Estates, Powers & Trusts Law (EPTL) § 3-2.1. This includes being signed by the testator (your husband) in the presence of at least two witnesses who also sign the will. If the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for New York on
Q: Hello how do i find out the status of an Heir property ?

There are 2 properties where as the original owners have passed away. There is a daughter produced by the deceased couple. The father left a will. i need to find out the status of the estate

'

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Aug 18, 2024

Contact the Executor of the estate and inquire.

Jack

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Hi ,I bought a home with my daughter and would like to add my husband name on the deed.

when I was buying my husband credit wasn't good,so I use my daughter's name and credit but it was my money used. I'm sick and would like to protect my husband just in case...

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Sep 8, 2024

You need a transfer deed adding your husband to the deed. Contact an attorney to prepare one. There are recording fees that will have to be paid to the county.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Tax Law, Elder Law and Public Benefits for New York on
Q: Can grantor of irrevocable income only grantor trust pay taxes on trust income under their own SS#?

The attorney who set up the irrevocable income only grantor trust said the grantor could file taxes on trust income using their own SS#, but now a different attorney says if the trust doesn't obtain its own tax ID, the grantor may be deemed ineligible for Medicaid. Which is accurate?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 10, 2024

When dealing with an irrevocable income-only grantor trust, it's important to understand how the income is reported and how it might impact Medicaid eligibility. If the trust is set up as a grantor trust, the income can be reported under the grantor's Social Security number, meaning the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Need help getting a title for a motorcycle that was registered in the 1970 but can’t be found in any system

Hello really weird question that no one has been able to figure out, but my girlfriend’s dad passed away and she is an only child who inherited everything and she is trying to give his motorcycle to her uncle/ his brother. There is no title for it and it’s showing that it’s not registered in... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 30, 2024

You're right; that is a tough one. The estate planning attorneys here would know best, but your question remains open for a week. In terms of registration, there probably wouldn't be any records that come up if the motorcycle was last registered in 1970, over fifty years ago. If there is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Hi ,I bought a home with my daughter and would like to add my husband name on the deed.

when I was buying my husband credit wasn't good,so I use my daughter's name and credit but it was my money used. I'm sick and would like to protect my husband just in case...

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jul 23, 2024

You will need to schedule a "mini-closing" where you (or your daughter) will need to deed the property from herself, to herself and your husband, as joint tenants (a technical legal term of ownership). Which particular form of ownership would work best requires a detailed review of your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Hello, I have an existing will and I would like to make some minor changes to it in the form of changing bequests, etc.

Can I make these changes myself, or must I meet with a lawyer and pay a significant fee to make these changes? Also, I am a single person in NYC with no family in this country…can I appoint a lawyer to be my executor and take care of all details if something should happen to me? Thank you.

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Jul 16, 2024

This is not something to do on your own.

You could execute a Codicil or a new Will. An Executor could be named in either.

Also consider Living Will, Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney.

Jack

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Is there a way to take over my mother's mortgage after she passes so the bank doesn't take it?

Cayuga county NY is the location, I'm an only child so I'm sole heir. I think my mom might have 2 mortgages on the house but I want to find a way to get the house when my mother eventually passes instead of the bank immediately repossessing it.

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Jul 10, 2024

Your mother's estate will be responsible for the mortgage or, if title passes to you, you may be able to work something out with the bank.

Jack

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Does a will in New York need to be notarized
Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Jun 3, 2024

No. In New York, to be valid, the Will must be signed by the person making it in the presence of at least two disinterested witnesses. There is no requirement that the Maker's (Testator) signature be notarized. However, it is advisable that the two witnesses sign an affidavit at the time... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for New York on
Q: Can my Father pay my Retainer Fees to Represent me in a Guardianship for him? Or is this a Conflict of Interest?
Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on May 24, 2024

It's a matter of "legal capacity." If your father has legal capacity regarding the payment of legal fees, why is a Guardianship needed at all?

Jack

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