So long as one is alive and mentally capable, one is in control of her own financial and legal affairs. Once a person passes away, a fiduciary needs to be appointed by the Surrogate’s Court to determine and pay estate debts , collect and distribute assets, file relevant tax returns and…
Music lovers, reeling from the recent news of Aretha Franklin’s death, have now found out that the “Queen of Soul” died intestate, without a will. This blog has previously addressed the matter of another musician, Prince, having passed away without a will and the legal repercussions. We will address the…
News outlets have recently reported on the Will contest brought by the children of the late country singer Glen Campbell. This post will address the concepts of diminished capacity and undue influence and whether these concepts can potentially invalidate a Will in New York. In general, a person can make…
We have written extensively about the pitfalls in not having a will. As such, many clients heed that warning and request that their attorney draft a will and other associated estate documents on their behalf. While these clients have taken responsible action and had their estate documents drafted, additional tasks are required. We suggest…
As our political landscape is more uncertain than ever after this week’s election results, our readers cannot be certain that estate tax repeal is on the horizon. Also, most people do not own substantial assets so that estate taxes may apply to their estates. However, most of our clients could…
Our firm wants to extend its best wishes to all Dads for a happy Father’s Day. We would like to mention some gift ideas of a legal nature that cannot be purchased in an ordinary department store. Your Father may be on the verge of retirement. As such, he may be…
If you are like this author , someone close to you may be about to turn eighteen years of age. This post will discuss the legal ramifications of turning eighteen. Additional rights and privileges as well as legal responsibilities occur once a “child” becomes eighteen. Such a person can now vote,…
The timing of death is never particularly welcome. Some families are prepared, in that the deceased was elderly, maybe ill, and living in a nursing home. Perhaps such a person also had the foresight to have their attorney prepare her Will and other estate documents. Others may pass away at…
Movie fans recently learned of the deaths of Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds, which occurred within one day of each other. Those with symbiotic relationships, such as spouses married for more than fifty years, sometimes die within a close timeframe from one another. This phenomenon is known as…
The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday requires quite a bit of planning. We are not speaking merely about creating the menu, shopping for the required ingredients and preparing the delicious food. Rather, we wish to call attention to those who will be sharing the holiday with you and the legal issues that may…