what type of attorney does an estate beneficiary need in ny state

by Ettie Gleichner 8 min read

Many executors are not experienced at handling business, financial or legal matters. A New York probate and estate lawyer to help them with the administration and management of the estate. If you wish to speak to a New York estate attorney, call the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin at (212) 233-1233.

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Who protects the rights of beneficiaries of New York estate?

Jul 06, 2011 · New York Probate Attorney Jules Martin Haas, Esq. has been representing clients in Trusts and Estates and Surrogate’s Court matters throughout New York City, including Brooklyn and Manhattan. If you or someone you know is involved with or has questions about a New York estate or beneficiary designation, please contact me at (212) 355-2575 or email: …

How to find out the rights of beneficiaries of a New York?

(c) if applicable, that the fiduciary was the draftsperson of a will offered for probate with respect to that estate. ii. SCPA 2307-a. When an attorney prepares a will to be proved in the courts of this state and such attorney, a then affiliated attorney, or an employee of such attorney or a then affiliated attorney is therein an executor ...

How can I remove an executor of an estate in New York?

Mar 17, 2020 · No one, unless a beneficiary decides to obtain counsel. Unfortunately, some beneficiaries think the estate’s lawyer represents them too. For free. As a result, they call the lawyer’s office. And call. And call again. Often, the lawyer will not return a beneficiary’s telephone calls – especially if the calls come in at a high volume.

Can an executor of an estate provide an accounting to a beneficiary?

Jun 08, 2012 · Many executors are not experienced at handling business, financial or legal matters. A New York probate and estate lawyer to help them with the administration and management of the estate. If you wish to speak to a New York estate attorney, call the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin at (212) 233-1233.

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.

How long does an executor have to settle an estate NY?

How Long to Settle an Estate in New York? The short answer: from 7 months to 3 years. Typically 9 months. Estate settlement (also known as estate administration) is the phase during which you, as the court-appointed executor, must collect the estate assets, organize and pays debts, and file all final taxes.

How do you settle an estate in New York?

Settling an Estate in New YorkFile the original will, death certificate and a petition for probate with the court in the county where the decedent lived.The court will appoint an executor or personal representative to act on behalf of the estate. ... The executor will notify heirs and creditors of probate.More items...

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.

How much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in New York?

Only an estate valued over $30,000 must be probated when there is a will. The court has a “small estate proceeding” when the estate is below $30,000. An estate without a will is “administered,” not probated.

Can executor sell property without all beneficiaries approving in NY?

The executor can sell property without getting all of the beneficiaries to approve. However, notice will be sent to all the beneficiaries so that they know of the sale but they don't have to approve of the sale.

Who can be an executor in New York?

Under most circumstances, New York law requires your executor to be either a U.S. citizen or a non-U.S. citizen living in New York. A judge won't appoint an executor who is not a U.S. citizen and lives outside of the state, unless you also name a coexecutor who is a resident of New York and the judge approves.

How much does an executor of an estate get paid in New York?

The commission rate in New York for each Executor is 5% on the first $100,000 in the estate, 4% on the next $200,000, 3% on the next $700,000, 2-1/2 % on the next $4,000,000 and 2% on any amount above $5,000,000.

Do you always have to go to probate when someone dies?

Probate. If you are named in someone's will as an executor, you may have to apply for probate. This is a legal document which gives you the authority to share out the estate of the person who has died according to the instructions in the will. You do not always need probate to be able to deal with the estate.

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

What can override a beneficiary?

An executor can override the wishes of these beneficiaries due to their legal duty. However, the beneficiary of a Will is very different than an individual named in a beneficiary designation of an asset held by a financial company.

Can an executor withdraw money from an estate account?

Once a Grant of Probate has been awarded, the executor or administrator will be able to take this document to any banks where the person who has died held an account. They will then be given permission to withdraw any money from the accounts and distribute it as per instructions in the Will.

Can executor sell property without all beneficiaries approving in NY?

The executor can sell property without getting all of the beneficiaries to approve. However, notice will be sent to all the beneficiaries so that they know of the sale but they don't have to approve of the sale.

How much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in New York?

Only an estate valued over $30,000 must be probated when there is a will. The court has a “small estate proceeding” when the estate is below $30,000. An estate without a will is “administered,” not probated.

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

Do executors have to prepare estate accounts?

All executors are required to keep accurate and detailed accounts setting out the assets that form part of the estate, details of estate debts and confirming what steps have been taken with assets throughout the estate administration.Jul 14, 2021

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.

How long does an executor have to settle an estate NY?

How Long to Settle an Estate in New York? The short answer: from 7 months to 3 years. Typically 9 months. Estate settlement (also known as estate administration) is the phase during which you, as the court-appointed executor, must collect the estate assets, organize and pays debts, and file all final taxes.

How long do executors have to apply for probate?

Once the inheritance tax is cleared, the executor must apply to the Probate Registry for the Grant of Probate – a legal document that gives the executor authority to administer the estate. It may take 3 to 6 months to obtain it. But for complex estates, it takes longer.

Do you always have to go to probate when someone dies?

Probate. If you are named in someone's will as an executor, you may have to apply for probate. This is a legal document which gives you the authority to share out the estate of the person who has died according to the instructions in the will. You do not always need probate to be able to deal with the estate.

How long does it take to settle an estate after house is sold?

Probate typically takes 9-12 months to settle an estate. However, it can sometimes take longer if, for example, there is a property to sell, complex Inheritance, Income or Capital Gains Tax affairs to resolve or there are complications regarding the personal representatives or beneficiaries of the estate.

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.

Are beneficiaries entitled to a copy of the estate accounts?

So, what if you're left a gift in a Will? When a specific sum of money is left to a beneficiary, it's known as a Pecuniary Legacy. These beneficiaries are not entitled to see a copy of the estate accounts, and they are not, generally, entitled to more than the stated share.Jan 15, 2020

What happens if executors don't agree?

If their failure to agree stalls administration of the estate for too long, they could face complaints or claims by disgruntled beneficiaries. The executors therefore might wish to appoint an independent executor to progress the administration of the estate, and the existing executors resign.Apr 8, 2021

Can an executor withdraw money from an estate account?

Once a Grant of Probate has been awarded, the executor or administrator will be able to take this document to any banks where the person who has died held an account. They will then be given permission to withdraw any money from the accounts and distribute it as per instructions in the Will.

Who contacts beneficiaries of a will?

executorHelen: If someone has left a will and you are a beneficiary of an estate, you would usually be contacted by the executor, or the solicitor the executor has instructed, to notify you that you are a beneficiary.Jun 25, 2021

Are estate accounts public documents?

Not everyone is entitled to see the Estate accounts. ... However, only Residuary Beneficiaries are entitled to see the Estate accounts. A Residuary Beneficiary is someone who is entitled to all or some of the remaining Estate after the expenses, debts, taxes and other gifts have been paid out.Dec 3, 2018

What happens if the executor of an estate doesn't give you information?

If the executor or administrator is not giving you information about the estate when asked, they may be hiding something. If you have that suspicion, it’s best to consult with a New York estate attorney. We might send them a letter on your behalf, explaining that you have rights and that failure to provide information can result in the removal of the executor or administrator from the estate.

What is an estate accounting?

An estate accounting is a document that details every transaction that occurred in the estate and provides some summaries and explanations of the transactions. The document consists of various schedules in a court-approved format and complying with general accounting standards.

How long does it take to receive a distribution from an estate?

Receive a timely distribution of their share. Beneficiaries should start receiving some sort of distributions from the estate within seven months of appointment of the Executor or Administrator. The executor does not have to disburse the entire estate at once, but at least a partial distribution is expected.

Can an executor keep assets?

The executor and administrator cannot keep any of it or give it away to their friends or relatives.

How long does it take to get an inventory of an estate?

The right to inventory of an estate within nine months of appointment. Beneficiaries have the right to receive an Inventory of the estate (not to be confused with a formal accounting) within nine months of the appointment of the executor or administrator of the estate.

What is lawyer time?

A lawyer’s time is considered an expense involving estate administration. In Washington, these expenses are prioritized ahead of any estate distributions to the beneficiaries. In other words, the beneficiaries may think their constant contact with ...

Who represents the estate in probate?

In a probate matter, the estate’s attorney generally represents the Personal Representative, in his or her fiduciary capacity. What does that really mean? That means that the lawyer works with the Personal Representative so long as that person is acting in the estate’s best interest.

Is a lawyer a fiduciary?

Since, again, the lawyer represents a fiduciary and must seek to act in the estate’s best interest, often it is in the estate’s best interest if the lawyer does not communicate excessively with the beneficiaries. Otherwise, one problematic beneficiary can unfairly reduce the other beneficiaries’ distributions.

Who is the executor of a will?

The executor of a will is chosen by the testator at the time of the making of the will. Most people like to appoint a family member such as a surviving spouse or child to handle their estate after their death. So it is not unusual for a sole beneficiary to also be appointed as the executor of a decedent’s estate.

What can an attorney do for an executor?

The attorney can also be of great assistance in helping the executor perform the required tasks, such as: Managing an estate takes a lot of time. Many executors are not experienced at handling business, financial or legal matters.

What is the role of an estate lawyer in New York?

A New York probate and estate lawyer to help them with the administration and management of the estate.

What is the OAG in New York?

The Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office (OAG) presents this guidance to assist fiduciaries of estates and trusts with charitable interests, and their advisors, seeking the OAG’s review and approval of informal accountings required pursuant to Estates, Powers and Trusts Law ( EPTL) § 8-1.4(d) and (g) and 13 NYCRR § 92.1 et seq.

What does OAG stand for in trust and estate?

In trust and estate matters, including fiduciary accountings, the OAG represents the beneficiaries of dispositions for religious, charitable, educational or benevolent purposes. EPTL § 8-1.1(f). In discharging this responsibility, the OAG does not act as the attorney for any named charitable organization; rather, it represents the interests of those members of the public who benefit from the activities conducted by those charities, sometimes called the “ultimate charitable beneficiaries.” The named charities are entitled to separate representation by counsel of their choosing. This distinction is important in the context of fiduciary accountings, because the OAG is not authorized to approve an accounting on behalf of any named charity. Likewise, the approval of an accounting by any or all named charities is not a substitute for review by the OAG.