A missing beneficiary can make probate more complicated. A will may name someone whom the executor cannot currently locate. Additional steps may be necessary to protect that person's interests. The beneficiary does not lose an inheritance simply because no one can...
Estate Planning And Administration
What are the requirements for a valid will in New York?
Creating a will may not require retaining a professional, but it does require strict compliance with specific statutory rules. In New York, wills are subject to “execution formalities” that you must follow precisely. If you do not adhere to these requirements, the...
Estate planning: Getting your social media accounts ready
Modern estate planning involves much more than deciding who will receive your home, bank account or family heirlooms. The realities of the Digital Age have driven a pressing need for all adults – yourself included – to consider their digital footprint when estate...
Does a beneficiary get their inheritance immediately?
When someone passes away, their estate generally goes through probate. Beneficiaries will typically get their inheritances, but it may not happen immediately. The probate process can take weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the estate, the availability of...
Selecting an appropriate successor trustee
People who want to protect their resources, structure their legacies and minimize probate issues might create revocable living trusts. The person funding a trust, known as the trustor or grantor, often acts as the initial trustee. They manage resources and make trust...
Choose the right executor for your New York estate plan
Your executor shapes how smoothly your estate moves through probate after you die. A thoughtful choice can reduce delays, added costs and conflict among beneficiaries. What an executor may handle after you die In New York, you name your executor in your will, and the...
Should you use AI to help you create your estate plan?
On its face, the estate planning process can seem complex and confusing. Yet, if you don’t know how to properly navigate it, then your assets could be subjected to additional taxation, your assets could fall into the wrong hands, or your family could end up fighting...
Should you keep your estate plan a secret?
Estate planning can feel like a deeply personal endeavor. After all, throughout the process you have to come to terms with your own mortality and devise an asset distribution scheme that may be off-putting to some. But keeping your estate plan in the shadows can be a...
What happens if my will is lost?
Setting up an estate plan that includes a will is a great way to ensure your family and loved one’s needs are met after you pass away. But what happens if your will is lost? There are many reasons a will may be lost. It may have been destroyed in a natural disaster,...
Can I create a trust to use now that can also be my estate plan?
Trusts offer an efficient and flexible way for Williamsville residents to manage their assets today while ensuring their smooth transfer in the future. By setting up a trust, you can achieve multiple goals simultaneously, from asset protection to estate planning. What...

