Estate planning focuses on the disposition of your assets after your death, but it can also involve planning for the use of your assets for your care if you become unable to manage your own affairs during your lifetime. When planning your estate, it is easy to make mistakes that sabotage your goals and cause chaos for your family. Below are some of the most common estate planning mistakes and oversights that later can cause chaos for your family. These can be avoided by seeking the guidance of an attorney who specializes in the field of estate planning.

What if the New York Decedent Left No Will? If someone dies without a will (and has not used any other legal method to transfer property at death, such as a trust), the person had died intestate. The distribution of an intestate estate is governed by the law of New York State and is known as intestate administration.

What is New York Probate? This post below is a brief overview of the probate process in New York and is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it meant to be nor is it legal advice. The word “probate” is from the Latin “to prove.” Probate in New York is the legal process of proving the validity of an individual’s Last Will & Testament in Surrogates Court.