Unless the decedent left a valid legal document (such as a Last Will and Testament or a Disposition of Remains) designating who shall control his...

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Legal document to get temporary guardianship of my grandson in the event something should happen to his mother (my daughter)

In New York, the natural parents are required to receive notice and service of process in infant guardianship proceedings pursuant to Surrogate’s...

Does NY state take a percentage in an estate where there is no will? I am the only child, my mother is a widow.

No, New York State law prescribes who receives the proceeds of an estate (in your example, you would be the sole recipient of your mother's estate...

I have been asked to appear at a hearing as a witness to a will. What happens if I fail to attend?

The examination / questioning / testimony of the attorney-draftsperson and the witnesses of a Last Will and Testament is customary in contested...

Estate planning under NY state law for terminally ill person

Sorry to hear about your father's illness. This can be a tricky situation given (1.) the separation of spouses and (2.) the mortgaged...

Under NY laws after my death would my wife be forced to pay off my student loans that were incurred before marriage

The loans would be debts of the deceased person’s estate. As long as the surviving spouse did not personally obligate himself / herself to re-pay...