When a will is offered for probate in New York, family members do not always agree that the document should be accepted by the Surrogate's Court. Sometimes the dispute is emotional. Sometimes it is financial. Sometimes there are serious concerns about whether the will was properly signed, whether the person understood what...
Can an Executor or Administrator Be Removed in New York Surrogate’s Court?
When someone is appointed to handle an estate, the Surrogate's Court gives that person legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. If there is a will, that person is usually called the executor. If there is no will, the person appointed by the court is...
Beneficiary Rights in a New York Estate: When to Ask for an Accounting in Surrogate’s Court
When a loved one dies, beneficiaries often expect estate administration to move quickly and transparently. The reality on Long Island can be different. Probate and administration take time when there is East End real estate to sell, debts to resolve, tax issues to address, or family conflict to manage.
New York Estate Planning in 2026: A Plain‑English Guide for Long Island Families
Estate planning sounds complicated, but at its core it is simply a plan for who is in charge and who receives what if you become disabled or pass away. For Long Island families, that plan has to work within New York’s specific rules and the Surrogate’s Courts that handle estates. In this...
8 Frequently Asked Questions on Last Wills and Testaments
Starting an estate plan can be overwhelming, and you probably have many questions. You are not alone. Below are eight questions people often ask about last wills and testaments as they begin to think about estate planning.
1. Aren’t Wills Only for Wealthy People?This...
Do You Need a Trust?: Estate Planning Q&A
According to the 2023 Wills and Estate Planning Survey by Caring.com, only 34 percent of Americans have an estate plan.
The primary reasons respondents gave for not participating in estate planning are:
Procrastination Believing they need more assets Not...Should I Explore Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts?
In late 2022, the federal government passed legislation known as the SECURE 2.0 Act. Provisions in this bill have made it easier for people to fund certain annuities that can delay taxes on their retirement funds until the age of 85.
First, What Is an Annuity?Why You Should Designate Beneficiaries
According to WealthCounsel, over a third of Americans have experienced or witnessed familial conflict when someone dies without an estate plan. While most people believe having an estate plan is important, only a third have a plan in place, per Caring.com’s 2023 Wills Survey.
While most adults...
Will Robotics and AI Be the Future of Elder Care?
Adults 65 and older constitute the fasting-growing age demographic in the United States. When it comes to elder care, this expanding population is facing a scarcity in people equipped to support them as they get older.
One estimate predicts a shortage of 151,000 paid direct care workers and 3.8...
Avoid Foreclosure With Repayment Plan for Reverse Mortgages
Using reverse mortgages, adults 62 and older may draw upon home equity to support their needs and remain in their homes.
Many older adults with reverse mortgages have a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). The Federal Housing Administration insures HECMs, and the U.S. Department of Housing and...
