New York Estate Planning Questions & Answers
Q: Can a family member have the right to deny inheritance because of a adoption stating that you are not a member
Or a hier to the family. He has been telling my other cousins that me and my sister have no claim because we were adopted. And this uncle is my so called Godfather
Unfortunately, adoption or not, a person has the legal right to leave his estate to whomever he wishes. The only limitation is that if the testator is married, in New York, a certain percentage of the estate must be left to the wife.
Q: If there are 2 owners on a house and only one is paying the taxes how do you get a receipt in that 1 persons name ?
In my mother's name a grandparent had left money for me to purchase a home or use for college once I was of age . My mother had withdrawn the money once we found our small home and my father had convinced me to put his name on the home in case of any accidents or lawsuits . 3 years later the story... Read more »
You should get in touch with the County Assessor. However, I believe that whoever is listed on the Deed will be billed no matter who pays.
Q: My 86 Yr. old father inherited a $50,000 annuity and we need to decide what option to take the funds.
He has dementia and will be going into a nursing home shortly. One of the available options is to annuitize for 5-30 years. If we choose 30 years, will it be protected from Medicaid?
Do a supplemental needs trust. We charge $1750. It will protect it from Medicaid.
Q: Can I sue my mother for lying to me about my name on the deed to home in order to get me to move in with her?
My name was added to the deed to family home in 2009, mother has lifetime tenancy. She told me repeatedly that it was my house, even crying in order to get me to move in to remove troublesome family members whom she had allowed to stay in house while she was living with her boyfriend. After moving... Read more »
I don’t think you have sufficient grounds to sue your mother for lying.
When property is deeded to you that reserves a Life Estate, you receive some ownership rights. However, your mother has the right to live there. Since you are on the Deed, the property can’t be sold or transferred... Read more »
Q: I live in Staten Island NY and get letter from Jersey City court about Summons# TPT134746 Viol 39:3-33A. I never was NJ
My Last name not correct in letter. A am not drive in NJ , My car have NY state Plate.
This could be a error or a sign of a serious issue of identity theft. Run your credit report and see what is there. Call the Jersey City court and see how they got your name.
Q: My brother wants to take my dad to court to challenge him on ownership of him and my mother's house - is this possible?
My mom and my dad sold the house they owned together in NY and bought a house together (theyre both on the mortgage) in Florida in ~2013. My dad has never lived in the house, he stayed in New York with his mom. My parents separated but stayed legally married. My brother moved to FL with my mom. My... Read more »
Under NY law, I don't see that you have any case against your father. You can try to bring an action to be appointed the guardian of his property if he is incapable of making decisions, but that is a long process and if your father is able to make rational decisions you will loose. You can try... Read more »
Q: How long does a probate attorney need to wait to contact the heirs, taking into account the diciest didn't leave a will?
Your question is confusing. Probate means a will. Heirs receive stuff, so their will is generally not relevant. "Diciest" is unclear. Without understanding the facts, contacting heirs is the first thing an attorney does when hired, so the answer is no time.
Q: My legal-custodial parent which was my aunt died 13 years ago, has unclaimed funds, I am the only surviving child/kin
Her shady husband sold her house but he later died in 2014 (they were separated 30 yrs). She has unclaimed funds; am I able to claim due to her being my legal parent and only surviving child of hers, however, he has other children outside the marriage? she did not acknowledge his outside children... Read more »
To get the funds, you need to open an estate proceeding. What kind depends on the amount. If the amount is small, it is not worth it. I am not sure of your status. Legal guardian is not a parent. You need to be adopted by a formal order to have a right to these funds. If alive, the husband... Read more »
Q: My husband's mother passed away and did not have a will. What will happen to her home? There is no mortgage owed.
The home is located in San Juan, PR. If there is no will, can my husband legally inherit the home? Or will it have to be sold? What happens then?
If your mother-in-law passed away while residing in New York State, your husband should be eligible to commence a proceeding to Surrogate's Court called an Administration. The share of the Estate your husband would be entitled to would depend upon whether his mother was married at the time that... Read more »
Q: My father passed away and his house in Puerto Rico still has a tenant. She has been paying the same rent for almost
Over 15 years or so, I really don’t know. And the taxes are more than what she pays in rent. How h much can I raise the rent and when, etc. any info will help
Since the property is in Puerto Rico, your question would be better directed to an attorney admitted to practice in that jurisdiction.
Q: My co-worker significant other died without a will. Who owns their camp? He has 4 adult children.
His brother is trying to say he owns the camp
When you say camp, do you mean a business that is a camp for kids? His kids inherit his estate, not his brother. But a business is likely incorporated, and the corporate papers will govern what happens to your friend's share.
Q: Stranger has her name on the deed illegally after judgement
Erected a fence recently barring me from entering my own family property
If the name is on the deed, she is not a stranger. Whether it got there legally is the question. I do not understand the judgment point.
Q: What should I do with old insurance policies on my grandfather that I found among papers in my parent's estate?
There are three insurance policies, dated 1947, that my maternal grandmother had in which her husband was the beneficiary. In the event of his decease, the benefit would go to her eldest son. That son is also deceased, as are all the other children of my grandmother. However, the wife of that uncle... Read more »
Call the companies and see if they were cashed in. Likely they were. You do not need to show an actual policy to cash in.
Q: Can you get out of stipulation in an irrevocable trust agreement. My grandfather put a stipulation that states i can not
receive the $ until i establish myself long term with employment,financial,health,etc.The trustee(lawyer)assured me this would be a smooth transition when the time came based on already being settled.On their recommendation I retired from truck driving to finish renovations my mother had started on... Read more »
It depends on the terms of the trust to which you are referring.
Q: i inherited a house in brooklyn ny with my 2 siblings they have had apartments in the house for the past 50 years
am i entilted to any compensation being i never had an apartment in the building
Only from the time you were on title. What you should do depends on what you want to happen to the house.
Q: trustee instructed by the will to create a special needs trust w/ trust document . Refuse/does a testamentary w/will
Moms accountant was given unprofessional advice allowed her accountant of 30 yrs be executor and trustee. My brother was executor and successor trustee. I refused to be a executor by choice because i couldnt walk and didnt want to be a burden. I was unaware that together they planned to screw... Read more »
If your mother was competent, her documents will be enforced and whatever powers she gave your brother, fair or not, will be allowed.
Q: do i need a spousal consent for a TOD account in NY
My brokerage firm is telling me that i need my wife to sign a spousal consent agreement for them to open a Transfer on Death (TOD) account. I live in NY
If it is a retirement account, like an IRA or 401K, yes.
Q: MY NEIGHBOR PUT A BRICK PILLAR FOR A DRIVEWAY GATE ENCROCHED 9 AND A HALF INCHES INTO MY PROPERTY ..HE NEVER PUT A
DRIVEWAY GATE BECAUSE I TOLD HIM 3 YEARS AGO HE HAS TO MOVE THE PILLAR IF HE WANTS TO PUT THE GATE BECAUSE ITS ON MY PROPERTY..THE PILLAR HAS BEEN THERE SINCE 2009 I TOLD TO HIM HE HAS TO MOVE IT IF HE WANTS TO PUT THE GATE 2016 AND HE STOPPED BEING MY FRIEND ...IN 2017 HE STARTS TO PUT HIS... Read more »
It isn't clear what your question is but you are correct to be concerned about a possible adverse possession claim. There is a statute of limitations that can bar you from objecting to an encroachment on your property and by waiting before bringing an action against your neighbor you may lose your... Read more »
Q: Can a daughter of a pastors wife obtain a church with a durable power of attorney in New York?
The pastor died which was her dad and her mom
Is blind. She is trying to get a power of attorney to get the church which was in her dad’s name.
No. If the church was a duly formed religious corporation, the bylaws of the corporation govern what happens to its assets.
Q: I am a disabled man on SSI. I am on Medicaid. I'm in rehab for a stroke in 5/18 I received a small inheritance
The inheritance is $3636.00. I am due to get out of Northeast Center early 3/19 in a Medicaid program called TBI Waiver. Med resource is under $2,000, SSI would be problematic and I haven't called them, I received the check today. I want to do the right thing to do, I don't speak well on the... Read more »
While technically this should be declared to Medicaid, it is too modest a sum for anyone to chase after you. Just deposit the check.
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