As New York State remains at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York Surrogate’s Courts, which operate in each of New York’s 62 counties and handle the administration of estates, are preparing for the influx of Coronavirus-related estate matters. Effective Monday, May 18, 2020 new, uncontested estate cases involving individuals who passed away […]
13
Apr
Apr
Everyone needs a properly prepared New York statutory power of attorney (POA) to avoid expensive and time-consuming guardianship proceedings. A New York Power of Attorney will save you and your family thousands of dollars and expedite the handling of your financial affairs in the event of mental or physical disability. Keep reading to learn more […]
28
Jan
Jan
Estate planning is not just for the old and wealthy. Even young, single people should start legal, financial and medical planning for death or disability. You should discuss the following checklist for estate planning with an experienced attorney. Contact our offices today for a legal consultation. Checklist for Estate Planning | Durable Powers of Attorney […]
17
Aug
Aug
There is no time limit on filing a will with the Surrogate’s Court, which has oversight of the validity of wills and beginning the probate process. There are good reasons to act promptly to file the will with the Surrogate’s Court in Buffalo, though, because if delays result in hardship to creditors, the court may […]
17
Aug
Aug
When a loved one passes, families take on a great deal of responsibility in executing their final wishes. In today’s world, with blended families and various interests at play, there are many instances when a relative or heir may have good reason to believe that their loved one’s will is not the accurate recording of […]
10
Aug
Aug
American seniors are healthier than ever, but also live with chronic and progressive diseases that are often well controlled for decades. As you consider retirement, it’s absolutely justified to think about what the future might hold for any ongoing health condition, and take reasonable steps to protect your wealth and your family should additional care […]
05
Aug
Aug
Estate planning is a key component of ensuring that your wealth passes to your loved ones with minimal interference from the IRS. There are as many approaches to estate planning as there estates, but in general, planning for your estate using wills and trusts gives you control over your assets and wealth while you’re alive, […]
While jointly owning all assets and wealth insures that things stay within the couple should one of you pass away, joint ownership is no substitute for a will or prudent financial planning. For instance, if both of you should die at the same time without a will, you have no control in how your assets […]
No, under the laws of the State of New York, a handwritten will (known as a “holographic” will) is only acceptable under very limited circumstances, such as military personnel or support staff who have been deployed during wartime, or mariners at sea. In both of these cases, holographic wills expire after a set period of […]