There’s a lot of different ways to direct your assets once you pass away. While these options are great in that they allow you to custom tailor your estate plan to suit your needs, the complexities of it all can feel overwhelming. Don’t let that fact drive you to...
Estate Planning And Administration
Estate Planning And Administration
What happens if you die without a will?
Recent surveys indicate that only about one-third of Americans have a will. A common question is what happens to the assets belonging of those who die without a will. Intestate laws Like every other state, New York has laws — known as intestate laws — that specify how...
What is the effect of a no-contest clause upon a trust or will?
When an individual executes a trust instrument or a will, their intent is to have their assets distributed according to their desires. They may fear that their directions will be challenged later in court, leading to infighting among beneficiaries. To prevent this,...
Three ways to avoid probate in New York
For many, probate court is one of the arduous aspects of estate administration. Probate is time consuming, public, and costs money. Thankfully, prudent estate planners can avoid probate in New York. Here are three such ways: Trusts Estate assets can be transferred...
The two probate processes available in New York
You may have heard that you should avoid probate but many people in Williamsville are unfamiliar with the estate planning options that would achieve this goal. If a person only has a will when they pass or if they have no estate plan at all, their estate will need to...
A lawyer can be an asset and ally during probate process
Probate is a word that conjures both confusion and concern in New York residents. Though most individuals understand that probate has to do with what happens to a person's possessions after they die, many individuals do not have a deeper understanding beyond that...
Consider an incentive trust to motivate your loved ones
Sound estate planning gives you a lot of control over your assets long after your gone. But estate planning isn’t just limited to who receives your assets. You can also utilize estate planning tools to try to control the behavior of your loved ones or motivate them...
Special needs trust can help protect your parent’s assets
Your parents took care of you when you were young, and now as they age you find yourself in a position where you need to take care of them. Sometimes this can be done at home for a while, but for many in Williamsville, the best choice is to put your elderly parent in...
Should I choose a relative or a professional to serve as trustee?
Trusts are a popular estate planning vehicle for many in New York. They allow a person to pass their assets on to their heirs, with contingencies if they wish. In addition, trusts remain private and assets in a trust bypass probate -- an otherwise costly,...
Intestate succession in New York
Intestate succession is not a legal concept that many New Yorkers are familiar with. It refers to the system of beneficiaries that state law recognizes when a person dies without a valid will. If an individual owns property or assets at the time of their death and...