My stepfather came from Poland at ten years old with only one brother and parents (all deceased). He was with my mom for forty years and never mentioned Polish relatives as he was here since a child. He named me and my siblings in his will specifically. I am named executor of his estate in NYC. The... View More 
answered on May 12, 2023
If the decedent has no children or spouse the Court requires an affidavit of Heirship. Sometimes the attorney draftsman will take information directly from the testator now the decedent and he can provide a supporting affidavit. Your attorney should submit an affidavit of Heirship if someone can... View More
My late parents had assets in an irrevocable grantor trust. The beneficiaries are all in agreement, and wish to disolve the trust. How does one go about doing that? the trust holds some funds, a residential house, and a small interest in a commercial property. Thank you.
answered on Apr 4, 2023
I would want to see the terms of the trust. Generally, most terms would allow that with all the beneficiary's unanimous agreement, written and signed by them all, and presented to the Probate Court Judge, it would then be dissolved, as if it never existed.
Hello,
My father died in early January of this year. He held a Life Estate on his home and my sister is listed as the remainderman on the deed. We filed the death certificate with the Town of Riverhead.
My father owes a large sum of money to the rehab nursing center he was in when... View More
answered on Mar 28, 2023
It depends whether the nursing center had a judgment against your father before he died. If so, a judgment entered in the same county as the property would form a lien on the property which would survive a change in ownership (such as that occurred upon his death). Since your sister would be the... View More
The estate I represent is winning a wrongful death award. My sister passed in an accident. Can the award be divided by the judge to benefit 3 people, (my mother, other sister and I) ? The interest of this would be that the award would not be taxable for anyone.
Thank you,
Claudia
answered on Mar 27, 2023
So sorry for your loss. Under New York's Estates Powers & Trust Law § 4-1.1, if your sister passed away without any children, the entirety of the recovery would go to your mother. Of course, you can certainly petition the court to divide the settlement proceeds equally among yourself,... View More
I had a medical malpractice settlement money when i was a minor. My mother didn't tell me about my settlement money until i found out by a family member at 30-year-old. From what i understand is that my mother created a trust bank account when i was a minor and she is a trustee of that... View More
answered on Mar 22, 2023
If you had a medical malpractice lawsuit as a minor, the Court would have had to approve any settlement and would have issued an Infant Compromise Order. The Infant Compromise Order would have directed the settlement proceeds to be deposited in a bank account held jointly by an officer of the bank... View More
He says he needs “formal notice” - ME won’t release body without proof I’m executor (ie, the Will) so I cannot get a death cert or anything. I’m stuck as I need the Will to get the death cert, make arrangements, get access to apt., etc.. Can the lawyer be made to release the Will to me??... View More
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answered on Mar 10, 2023
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... View More
in NY
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answered on Mar 9, 2023
The fact that you lost the motion to reargue will not prevent you fr om following through with your appeal so long as you filed a timely notice of appeal from the Order. If you did not do that, it will be too late to do so. You cannot appeal from an order which denied reargument unless the order,... View More
Under disability w/ad litem appointed, can I petition to be heard by judge, conference, or written statement, if my disability is minor (ADD) and I disagree with ad litem's actions and coercive requests for waiver liability. Spendthrift trust, cash poor,no homeowners insurance(!?!#), failure... View More
answered on Feb 17, 2023
Can you petition Surrogate's Court to terminate your guardianship? Yes. Under New York's Mental Hygiene Law § 81.35, the incapacitated person can commence a proceeding to remove his or her guardian. Will you be successful on your own? Unlikely. You'd be better off retaining... View More
I also have to change the electric and water to her name and was told I needed an Affidavit.
answered on Feb 7, 2023
The answer will depend on whether someone, in addition to your grandparents are on the Deed and if so what type of ownership.
Certain facts must be known before it can determined if the house can be put in your mother's name. Not an exhaustive list of questions: Did your grandparents... View More
I also have to change the electric and water to her name and was told I needed an Affidavit.
answered on Feb 7, 2023
A little more complicated. Assuming the house was held by your grandparents as husband and wife, you need to make an estate for the second to die, and then have your mother be conveyed the house as next of kin. If she has siblings, they need to sign off.
A will in NY state gives the homestead to one heir and the contents to another. During the probate process, who is legally responsible for paying bills associated with the property?
answered on Jan 28, 2023
The expenses of the estate are paid from Estate assets. The expenses associated with the property before it is transferred to the beneficiary are generally the Estate's responsiblity and not those of an individual beneficiary. The language of the Will may provide more guidance.
My elderly mother sold her house in 2019 to move a few miles so she'd be closer to my sister. My brother in law (a CPA) put the proceeds from the sale (>$100K) in a bank account in my nephew's name to hide the $ from the govt in case Mom went into a nursing home. He then bought a house... View More
answered on Jan 4, 2023
In the absence of some agreement regarding the proceeds of the sale of your mother's house, I generally agree with attorney Siegel. Based upon the fact pattern you described, your brother's house is your brother's house and your mother having lived there does not make it hers nor... View More
His daughter has already taking things from his house and said because they didn't talk for 5 years or more she said she is taking all his things to sell or bring to Florida. This includes his motorcycle he was leaving for his grandson. How do I stop this from happening
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answered on Jan 3, 2023
That is a real bummer, but when someone dies without a will, then state law determines who inherits. If your friend died unmarried but with one or more living children, typically the children inherit. Even though the daughter might not be strictly following the proper legal process, chances are... View More
Are married. One sister dies in NY with no will. What happens to her share of the estate(25%) she had 3 kids and husband when she died. Thank you for your help
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answered on Dec 19, 2022
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.
My friend is a nursing home resident who has been receiving Medicaid to help pay for her care. Her brother passed away and his home health aide (HHA) has filed a purported will in a NY Surrogates Court. Its signing was not supervised by an attorney, no self-proving affidavit was completed, one of... View More
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answered on Dec 11, 2022
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... View More
Can I get the form from your office?
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answered on Dec 10, 2022
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... View More
This info. needed asap.
answered on Dec 10, 2022
It could be difficult for attorneys to suggest general case law relevant to your given situation based on the brief description here. You could await a response, but given the short timelines for appeals, you could also consider reaching out to attorneys who practice in the area(s) of law involving... View More
This info. needed asap.
answered on Dec 10, 2022
I should have been more specific - this appears to involve Estate and Probate Law rather than general appellate law. You could repost under Probate and Estate Planning. Good luck
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answered on Nov 2, 2022
You will receive your inheritance a lot faster if you do and the estate will incur less expense if you do, which translates into more inheritance for you. If you have no reason to suspect wrongdoing on the part of the executor, then I would normally say yes. But if you suspect wrongdoing, then... View More
In New York, can you have Transfer On Death Beneficiary designation in the LLC Operating Agreement to avoid Probate of LLC membership interest?
Please note that the LLC holds Real Estate and I understand that real estate Cannot be transferred on Death in New York and New York only allows... View More
answered on Oct 28, 2022
Absolutely the operating agreement can provide for transfer on death to a specific person, which would avoid probate of that interest.
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