Fiduciaries in New York such as executors, administrators and trustees are obligated to account to the beneficiaries.  This means that estate and trust beneficiaries can request that they be provided with a financial accounting of the fiduciary’s activities.  An account typically has specific information contained in various schedules showing the assets and income received, the investments made, the expenses and debts that are charged against the assets and the balance of funds or assets remaining…

Preparing and probating a New York Will is important in order for a testator to effectuate an estate plan.  There are many considerations that an individual needs to consider when planning an estate such as how assets are to be distributed and the identity of the beneficiaries who are to receive dispositions under the Will.  Guidance from an experienced estate lawyer regarding these matters should be sought. There are many subtle and not generally…

In New York there are many different types of residences that may have been occupied by a decedent.  The settlement of an estate may be impacted by the nature of such home.  For instance, a person may have been living in a rental apartment, or in a cooperative or condominium unit.  Another possibility is that a decedent owned and resided in a single or multi-family home. An estate attorney in New York who is also…

The appointment of a fiduciary is essential for the administration of a decedent’s estate.  Assets that were owned solely in a decedent’s name at death are not accessible unless the Court appoints a duly authorized representative.  Such representative can be an administrator if the person dies intestate or an executor if there is a Last Will and Testament. Both executors and administrators have duties and responsibilities.  Their primary job is to identify, protect and…

A Last Will and Testament in New York must comply with the basic statutory requirements provided by the estate laws.  The primary statute regarding the fundamental aspects of Will preparation and execution is Estates, Powers and Trusts Law Section 3-2.1 entitled “Execution and attestation of wills; formal requirements”. According to the statute, a Will is to be in writing, the testator is to sign at the end, and there must be at least two witnesses…

Upon the death of an individual, the process to administer the estate commences.  Sometimes a person leaves a Last Will and Testament.  If there is no Will, then the person dies intestate and the distribution of the estate is subject to the laws of intestacy.  A primary function in administering an estate is to collect and protect estate assets. One type of asset that is commonly owned by a New York decedent, especially in…

It is not unusual that after an executor or administrator is appointed by the Surrogate’s Court that he or she finds out there is estate litigation to contend with.  For instance, the decedent may have left numerous debts which are unpaid and the creditors may decide to bring lawsuits to collect what is claimed to be due. In other cases, a decedent may have been involved in a business or real estate transaction in which…