If a loved one who lives in a foreign country dies, there can be a few hiccups that you may come across involving his or her estate. The main issue is that you are operating under the laws of that foreign country while also having to adhere to U.S. law. As you can...
What are reasons to contest a will?
In New York, some people have the ability to contest a will. This does not apply to everyone. But it is good information for next of kin or other relatives of the deceased. Let us say you already established that you have standing. It is within your rights to contest...
Who gets estate when the state has to decide?
While it most often happens when a person dies without a will or estate plan, the state may also decide to whom to award assets in other cases as well. Many people do not understand how distribution works under the law and which heirs will get assets. Luckily, New...
Woman appeals decision in contested will
Many people might assume that the terms outlined in a will or a trust are always clear and able to be followed or implemented without issue. That, however, is far from the truth. There are many factors that can leave the provisions of a person's will up for...
Who can legally dispute a will?
Every state has its own laws regarding who can and cannot dispute the validity of a will. In New York, challenging the probate of a will results in a will contest. You must have standing in order to hold a will contest. Today, we will look at the requirements to have...
What is intestacy?
When a loved one dies in New York, many things must be considered. This can be a stressful enough time on its own, but the stress is compounded when the deceased individual does not have a last will or testament. This can make inheritance matters extremely...
Retiring abroad means updating estate planning documents
It is not unusual for people to want to spend their retirement years abroad or invest in foreign property for use whenever they please. Of course, this type of move requires a considerable amount of consideration and financial planning to ensure that important details...
Even with estate planning, sibling rivalry can cause issues
In a best-case scenario, a loved one would have left behind an estate plan for surviving family members to follow during probate. Of course, even careful estate planning may not always address every detail of an estate, or it may not account for the possibility of...
Estate planning is not a one-time event: Updates are necessary
A New York family who has lost a loved one understands the importance of having clear documents by which they can understand the wishes of the deceased and settle his or her estate appropriately. This process is significantly more difficult when a person does not have...
Remember to include foreign assets when estate planning
Many New York residents may have purchased various assets outside of the country, or they may have a different country of origin and left some assets behind while building a new life in the United States. No matter the case, it is important that individuals remember...