estate attorney what can you tell the next of kin

by Yasmeen Spinka 8 min read

However, as a NY estate lawyer with over twenty years of experience litigating NY estates on behalf of families I can tell you that it is within any distributees’ right, your next of kin, to contest your NY will under §1404 of the SCPA.

Full Answer

Who is the next of kin in probate court?

Jun 25, 2021 · If you are applying to open and administer the decedent’s estate, you must attest on the application that you are either the surviving spouse or next of kin. If serving as administrator, you must also provide the court with the names and contact information of the surviving spouse, children, next of kin, other beneficiaries on a court form.

Who is my next of kin if I have power of attorney?

Jan 21, 2022 · Your power of attorney (POA) or next of kin (NOK) may be called upon to make important decisions on your behalf, after you pass away or should you become incapacitated. To ensure your wishes are followed, name someone you trust as your power of attorney, and provide them with the right level of authority for making decisions in specific circumstances.

What are the rights of next of kin?

Feb 02, 2022 ·

Who is my next of kin if I am legally separated?

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What rights does a next of kin have legally?

Does a next of kin have legal rights and responsibilities? No. The term next of kin is in common use but a next of kin has no legal powers, rights or responsibilities. In particular, they cannot give consent for providing or withholding any treatment or care.

What does an executor have to disclose to beneficiaries?

One of the Executor's duties is to inform all next of kin and beneficiaries of: The deceased's death; The appointment of themselves as an Executor/Administrator; Their inheritance – be it a specific item, cash sum or share of the estate.

What information is a beneficiary of a will entitled to?

A beneficiary is entitled to be told if they are named in a person's will. They are also entitled to be told what, if any, property/possessions have been left to them, and the full amount of inheritance they will receive.Jul 15, 2019

Does next of kin inherit everything?

If one of the children has already died, their share is divided equally between their own children (the grandchildren of the person who died). If there is no surviving spouse or civil partner and no living children or grandchildren, everything is split between the living parents.Sep 15, 2021

Can beneficiaries demand to see deceased bank statements?

Some times beneficiaries want to see more detailed documents such as a Deceased's bank statement or pension documentation. Strictly speaking a beneficiary has no entitlement as of right to such documentation and it is your discretion as Executor whether or not to disclose it. The nature of the beneficiary's interest.Jun 19, 2019

Can an executor sell property of the estate without all beneficiaries approving?

Yes. An executor can sell a property without the approval of all beneficiaries. The will doesn't have specific provisions that require beneficiaries to approve how the assets will be administered. However, they should consult with beneficiaries about how to share the estate.Sep 30, 2020

Can beneficiaries see estate accounts?

Generally speaking, the only people who are entitled to see Estate Accounts during Probate are the Residuary Beneficiaries of the Estate.Sep 11, 2019

Can an executor override a beneficiary?

Yes, an executor can override a beneficiary's wishes as long as they are following the will or, alternative, any court orders. Executors have a fiduciary duty to the estate beneficiaries requiring them to distribute estate assets as stated in the will.

Do executors need to consult beneficiaries?

Executors have a duty to communicate with beneficiaries. If they are not doing so, you are entitled to take action. Schedule a free consultation with our probate lawyers to learn what you can do to enforce your rights as a beneficiary.Jul 26, 2021

Does power of attorney end at death?

Termination of an enduring power of attorney An EPA ceases on the death of the donor. However, there are other circumstances in which an EPA ceases to have effect.Mar 18, 2021

Is the power of attorney valid after death?

A Lasting Power of Attorney only remains valid during the lifetime of the person who made it (called the 'donor'). After the donor dies, the Lasting Power of Attorney will end.Jan 4, 2019

What does the next of kin do when someone dies?

In the absence of a surviving spouse, the person who is next of kin inherits the estate. The line of inheritance begins with direct offspring, starting with their children, then their grandchildren, followed by any great-grandchildren, and so on.

Next of Kin Rights and Responsibilities

If a deceased person (decedent) has died with a will, it almost certainly identifies a person whom the decedent selected to administer the probate estate. This person is often a close relative, but need not be. The executor named in the will has no legal authority to act on behalf of the estate until they are appointed by the court.

Who is Next of Kin Under Ohio Law?

To determine who would be considered next of kin under Ohio law, take a look at Ohio Revised Code Section 2105.06. In essence, that statute gives priority to inherit first to the surviving spouse, then to lineal descendants of the deceased (children and grandchildren), then to more distant relatives, such as parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Kinship Proceedings: Proving to the Probate Court That You Are Next of Kin

If you are applying to open and administer the decedent’s estate, you must attest on the application that you are either the surviving spouse or next of kin. If serving as administrator, you must also provide the court with the names and contact information of the surviving spouse, children, next of kin, other beneficiaries on a court form.

Prevent Confusion Over Next of Kin Status

It is not often necessary for an heir to prove their status as next of kin, but there is one way to avoid the potential for disputes: by creating an estate plan that identifies the people to whom you want to leave your assets, you can prevent confusion over your wishes and achieve the results that you intend.

What is the next of kin?

Next of Kin. Your next of kin is typically considered to be your closest relative by marriage or blood. If you’re married, for example, your next of kin is usually your spouse. When you complete medical paperwork or preplan for something like a burial or cremation, your provider may ask you to provide the name of a next of kin.

What does a power of attorney do?

Making decisions about memorial services, burial, or cremation if you haven’t made your wishes known. Carrying out your wishes about end-of-life matters and final disposition if you’ve made them known or preplanned. Someone you designate as power of attorney might take on any or all of the same roles.

What is a POA?

Your power of attorney (POA) or next of kin (NOK) may be called upon to make important decisions on your behalf, after you pass away or should you become incapacitated. To ensure your wishes are followed, name someone you trust as your power of attorney , and provide them with the right level of authority for making decisions in specific ...

Do you need a durable power of attorney?

Not all power of attorney forms are the same. If you’re planning to designate a POA to act on your behalf if you’re incapacitated (or even after you’re gone), then you need a durable power of attorney. These types of POA forms maintain force if you’re incapacitated.

What is an advanced directive?

An advanced directive is a legal document spelling out your wishes for life-saving care in certain circumstances. For example, in the state of Florida, state laws provide a priority of surrogates as follows: Spouse. Adult child (or a majority of your adult children voting together) Parent.

Do you have to assign someone as your next of kin?

You don’t actually have to assign someone as your next of kin in medical situations, as state surrogate laws help identify who your NOK is. However, because medical staff may need to talk to someone quickly, it’s a good idea to let them know who your preferred next of kin is in each situation.

Can you choose a POA?

It’s a good idea to make sure they’re on board with this responsibility, though. Completing a power of attorney form and naming someone as your POA doesn’t necessarily hold that person accountable for acting on your designation.

20 Answers

The answer to your question depends on a number of things. Are you a fiduciary (person responsible to manage assets) named in the decedent's Trust or Will? Are you aware of assets that have been designated to pass to other people?#N#There are probate and trust laws that protect surviving relatives and require notice.

Recent Questions

Grief experience for someone you did not have a good relationship with. Has anyone experienced this before?

Related Questions

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What is a life estate?

Life estates. To clear title to real property in which there was a life estate, trustees or executors will use an affidavit, death of a joint tenant, cross out the word joint, and replace it with the word “life.”.

What to do if someone passes away?

If that person has passed away, you would need to contact their beneficiary, next of kin, or in succession.

What is the job of an executor of a trust?

When a person dies, leaving real estate or personal property, it is the executor’s job to notify any heirs or beneficiaries. Must do this correctly and legally. The executor or successor trustee must notify all of the trust beneficiaries and heirs of the settler of the trust’s existence and of their right to receive a copy of the terms of the trust.

How long does it take to contest a will?

Each person must receive a copy of the will, an affidavit of the trustee’s death, and a notification by the trustee. Beneficiaries and 120 days on average to contest or accept the information stated in the will.

How long does a trustee have to contest a trust?

The notice will inform the recipients that there is a time limit in which to contest the trust. This is usually 120 days, and it must be stated in 10 points bold type. The trustee must make a good-faith effort to comply with the notice requirements.

Who has the right to receive information about what's going on in the administration of an estate?

The beneficiaries also have the right to receive information about what's going on in the administration of the estate. Typically, this information should be provided by the executor of the estate. Beneficiaries have certain rights related to the executor.

What happens if there is no executor?

If no executor is named, the court appoints an executor based on state law. In either case, the proposed executor can decline to take on the role. When that occurs, either the successor executor named in the will or the next person in line under state law become the executor.

Who is the beneficiary of an estate?

The beneficiaries of the estate are the people entitled to receive those assets. The executor of the estate is the person in charge of distributing the assets in the estate. The executor is often, but not always, also a beneficiary. The beneficiaries and executor of an estate each have rights.

What are the rights of executors?

The executor's two primary rights are the right to decline the role and the right to compensation for work performed. If a person dies with a will, the executor is usually named in the will.

What rights do beneficiaries have under a will?

Beneficiaries under a will have important rights including the right to receive what was left to them, to receive information about the estate, to request a different executor, and for the executor to act in their best interests.

What is your next of kin?

Your next of kin is a close relative or any of your family members. He or she is person related to you either by blood or marriage. Should something unfortunate happen to you, they’re the one who’ll first get notified, unless you have other emergency contacts. The legislation enacted in each territory or state usually governs the inheritance law. ...

What is a power of attorney?

Here are the different types of power of attorney based on purpose: General power of attorney: A general power of attorney authorises your agent to handle everything from making business-related decisions to managing your finances and estate.

Why is death not the only reason?

Death isn’t the only reason. If you become incapable of making decisions or carrying out important tasks, someone should have the authority and ability to deal with those matters for you.

What is a POA?

If the next of kin is a person in your family, a power of attorney (POA) is a legal document. A POA allows you to appoint someone, who’s referred to as an agent or attorney-in-fact, to manage your affairs when you’re unable to effectively do so on your own or if you become incapacitated.

What is a healthcare power of attorney?

Healthcare power of attorney: A healthcare power of attorney helps you make medical decisions if you become ill or injured. If you’re unable to plan ahead for such situations and your family finds it challenging to figure out what to do next, you may use this power of attorney to manage your care.

What happens if you don't plan for incapacity?

If you don’t plan for incapacity and the probate court can’t find your next of kin or the one you have is still a minor , it will appoint a conservator. The appointee in this court-ordered arrangement will make financial and personal decisions for you and oversee the management of your assets. It’s crucial to choose who to make decisions on your ...

Why is POA important?

Of course, it’s a critical tool for someone who can’t make decisions for himself anymore due to death or a long-term mental illness or physical health crisis.

What is the phone number to call for probate?

If you have questions about the management of your loved one’s estate or the probate process, call us anytime at (888) 694-1761 to get answers.

Why is it important to protect assets after death?

Assets need to be protected. Following the death of a loved one, there is often a period of chaos. This, coupled with grieving, presents a unique opportunity for those bent on personal benefit. It is important for the family, even before the opening of an estate, to protect all assets that belonged to the decedent.

What to do after losing a loved one?

After losing a loved one, your focus is on your family and on grieving the loss —not administering the estate. But there are many concerns that must be resolved to ensure your loved one’s final wishes are respected while protecting the bonds of your family. Knowing what to do before grief strikes can help you navigate the difficult time ...

Can creditors open an estate?

Creditors can open an estate. Holding the assets of the decedent in an effort to prevent creditors from reclaiming their debt is a risky proposition. Creditors have the right, after enough time passes, to petition the court to open the probate estate themselves.

Do you need a death certificate after a funeral?

Most funeral homes assist families with obtaining these certificates. You should get several copies of the death certificate to ensure you have enough for all administration needs .

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The Administration of An Estate

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Upon notification of a person's death, the probate court in the county appoints an administrator. This person finds the living relatives of the deceased so that the relatives can receive assets from the estate after the creditors are satisfied. Normally, the probate court appoints the next of kin as the personal representativ…
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Immediate Family

  • Intestacy laws generally put the surviving spouse first in line to receive part of the estate. If the deceased leaves behind a spouse and the couple's minor children, the surviving spouse, as caregiver, usually receives the full estate. If their children are adults, the probate court oversees even distribution among the adult children and surviving spouse of the deceased. State law cont…
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Other Heirs

  • Some people die leaving neither a spouse nor any surviving children. Here again, check the state intestacy laws. The deceased's parents typically inherit in this situation. Should the parents be deceased, siblings typically inherit. In the absence of any of the mentioned people, the intestacy law directs the assets to nieces and nephews. Under the laws of some states, the search for qua…
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Intestacy vs. Estate Planning

  • Consider planning your estatein advance. It will help save others time and trouble after you pass on and ensure the distribution of your assets fits your own intentions.
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