When a family member dies, many people assume that a formal probate or administration proceeding will be necessary. In some cases that is true. However, New York law provides a simplified procedure for certain smaller estates that allows assets to be collected without the time, expense, and formality of a full...
Category: Probate and Estate Administration
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.
