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New York Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Can I file a complaint to a NY agency as a third party against an executor for the mishandling of an estate settlement?

The decedent passed in 2010 with a single townhouse as an asset. The executor (50% bene.) spent only four months trying to sell it and later rented in until 2018 when it was sold for $205K. The beneficiary (50% bene.) turned 21 in July 2022 and has just been informed (3 months later) that his... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Oct 19, 2022

Short answer is no. Without an accounting proceeding how do you know there was wrongdoing? The expense of the accounting is borne by the estate off the top, not your son's half. And, if there was wrongdoing, the executor can be surcharged a penalty for the wrongdoing. Asking for an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Estate Planning for New York on
Q: I have my trust drafted. What are the next steps? Record it at the court house? What does the bank need for and account?

What notice if any should be given

Inna Fershteyn
Inna Fershteyn
answered on May 1, 2024

Who draftees your trust? Was the property transferred to the trust? How was it funded? Your lawyer should walk you step by step through the next steps it’s really strange that you are asking these questions if you have a lawyer and if you don’t how did you fund the trust? As without funding... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for New York on
Q: My stepbrother and I are Executors of our parents estate. I am to get the house which is paid for & 25% of money.

My stepbrother is to get 50 percent of the money, Here’s the issue:

My stepdad owed taxes on property that was sold in 2017. My attorney told me that since the house was bequeathed to me, that I am responsible for the taxes, unless the other executor agrees to help pay.

He said... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Apr 5, 2024

When someone leaves a Will, the Executor must follow the instructions contained within. Normally debts are paid from the estate before distributions are made. I am confused about your statement that the house was sold in 2017 and property taxes are still due.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Estate Planning for New York on
Q: New York-post nuptial agreement. has date and signature of spouses. Not notarized. Is it invalid

Spouse died. Her will excludes the husband. Does he still have right of election to 1/3 of the estate? Is notary of post nup signatures a hard and fast requirement?

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Mar 6, 2024

Like a pre-nup, a post-nup must be acknowledged (which is a notary, but a certain format), and comply with other requirements. Thus, if this one is not notarized, it fails.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: In New York you need two witnesses for a notarized last will and testament. Can the Notary also serve as a witness ?
Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Feb 24, 2024

No. The notary is actually notarizing the witnesses, so it would be notarizing yourself.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: Am I legally required to administer my mother's estate if she died owing money?

My father passed away in March of 2023 with $200k in the bank, his name only, no will. My mother passed away 5 months later with no money but several debts. I am currently administering my father's estate, but one of my mother's creditors insists that I am legally required to administer... View More

Elaine Shay
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Elaine Shay
answered on Jan 16, 2024

If a decedent predeceased his spouse without a will, the spouse was a beneficiary of the decedent's estate and the spouse's share of any inheritance must pass through to that spouse.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for New York on
Q: Do I have any rights to my childhood photos that my stepmom has?

My Dad passed away in 2021. When my Dad got sick, my stepmom completely cut communication as my Dad was completely reliant on her. I reached out to attempt to keep the communication going but she blocked me on phones, Facebook, and email as far as I can tell. I found out on Facebook my Dad died.... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Jan 13, 2024

If the photos were not specifically left to you by your father in a Will or Trust, the surviving spouse will have primary rights to household effects like family photos.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: My father recently passed away away, and he had a gf in the US. But they had a shared investment account, what to do?

Hallo, my father recently passed away, and had a brokeage account in the US. His girlfriend was listed as a contributor, but she has not deposited a single $ in the account. Since there is no will, by danish law all assets pass to next of kin, i.e me and my siblings. How should we procede?

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Jan 7, 2024

Contact the brokerage company to see if there is a beneficiary designation on the account. If so, the beneficiary gets the money. If not, the estate gets the money. Your Danish papers may be good enough to collect.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Where to find form of testamentary trust to fill out online?

I am willing to buy the form.

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Dec 1, 2023

If you have enough money that it is worth opening a trust, you have enough money to pay a lawyer to do it right. No lawyer is going to recommend an online form.

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Banking for New York on
Q: What happens to individual bank account? When the person passes away with no benefactors on the account and no will.

The person is married and has children, lives in New York..

My wife’s mother passed away. We are not sure if her bank account had a beneficiary or did she have a will.

Her mother is legal married..

would happen to her bank account now that she is deceased?

What... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Nov 15, 2023

Depending on the size of the account the wife needs to file an administration proceeding of some type.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: I have inherited my grandmother's property in P.R. I own 3/4 and grandmother's cousin owns 1/4. Can't locate relative.

I live in New York, and I can't start building in P.R, until I'm able to claim 1/4 of the property that belongs to my grandmother's cousin. Last, I know that cousin passed away in 1999.

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Oct 11, 2023

I suggest that you look for a lawyer licensed in Puerto Rico and New York. Inheritance law as well as property law is local.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for New York on
Q: Will -Beneficiaries cannot be located. Is their part held for them and will the money be frozen for all beneficiaries?

The house was sold and there is a Will. There is a beneficiary who cannot be found. Letters have been sent and the letters have been returned to the sender. We visited the address and they no longer live there. There is no phone to communicate. Other beneficiaries are concerned that if this... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Sep 12, 2023

There is a proceeding to bring where the money can be paid into court for that person, and the others can be paid.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Can an 8 year old sign a renunciation of voluntary administration?

My daughters grandmother passed supposedly without a will. My daughters grandfather wants my daughter to sign a renunciation of voluntary administration. Is this something she can sign? Would I sign for her? Is this legal? He isnt going through a lawyers office.

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Sep 2, 2023

No. An 8 year old lacks the legal capacity to sign any kind of contract or agreement. A guardian ad litem may need to be appointed in the case and make the decision for her, which might be not to sign.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Are you able to take out a home equity line of credit on a home in a trust?

The trust just consists of one house

Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Aug 31, 2023

It is not possible for an attorney to answer your question, without reviewing the trust instrument itself. There are all kinds of trusts and the powers of the trustees vary greatly.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: We have inherited a house in Albany County and we need to transfer the title into our names. How do we go about this?

My brother & I inherited a house in Albany County and we need to transfer the title into our names. We have an active payment agreement for taxes with the Albany County Finance Department. Do you know how we go about this?

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 25, 2023

Just have the estate do a deed to you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: Can a check payable to just the name of the deceased be deposited in their estate account?

My mother passed away with a will and I am the only named beneficiary and also the named executor. Her estate was worth less than $30,000 (New York), so I filed for a Small Estate / Voluntary Administration. Two of her assets will be refund checks made payable to just her name (as opposed to... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 22, 2023

Yes it can be deposited in estate account.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Are unclaimed heritage something thrustfull?

An American Lawyer contacted me to say that they found out I have an unclaimed heritage (I'm Italian) by a aunt that died almost 20 years ago. They didn't gave me too much details but they made the last name of my grandmother. They told me the state of new york holds the money of the... View More

Benjamin Z. Katz
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answered on Jul 14, 2023

Go to the following website. Search for the relative and follow the procedures to file a claim. You will need documentation showing your relationship to the decedent. You may need to hire a genealogist.

https://www.osc.state.ny.us/unclaimed-funds

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: What happens to husband and wife holding title together after divorce?

Hi.

I’m reading a title now where the husband and wife took title in 1966 as John Doe and Jane Doe, his wife. Said husband has passed and contract of sale shows “Jane Doe as to 50% and the executrix of the will as to the decedents 50% as sellers”.

Since title was never... View More

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Jul 8, 2023

The divorce severs the entirety interest and creates a tenancy in common. Accordingly the contract is right.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Land Use & Zoning and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: I want to buy a property for personal use, not for profit or rental, what kind of tax is involved if any in NY state LLC
Jason D. Jones
Jason D. Jones
answered on Jul 4, 2023

If you are only using the property for personal use then you would not put it in an LLC and you would only pay property tax.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for New York on
Q: My husband is stoke victim. Can't write, talk, walk. He needs to do a will/trust. Looking for a lawyer help!
Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Jun 27, 2023

If your husband cannot communicate at all, how can he possibly execute a Will. Seek other alternatives. Have a free telephone consultation with counsel.

Jack

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