Many people who die in prison, especially those incarcerated for decades, may die leaving estates with little to no value. Some may not even have a will. But if they own anything that doesn’t pass automatically to the heirs, or if their estate has the potential of coming into money after their death, their...

Q: Does an estate ever have to sue someone?

When someone creates a last will and testament, commonly called a “will”, they name a trusted person to be the executor. That’s the person who will, with the help of an estate administration attorney, be charged with the responsibility of collecting and managing...

Q: What is probate and why do people avoid it?

New York and New Jersey estate planning attorneys help people plan for their death and potential incapacity through the drafting of various legal documents collectively referred to as a comprehensive estate plan.

With respect to the distribution of assets and property after...

What are the advantages of a revocable trust vs. a last will?

Revocable living trusts and last wills are two commonly used estate planning tools.  Wills and trusts both have their place in estate planning, but revocable living trusts offer some benefits that a last will and testament cannot....

Letters Testamentary are court-issued documents that give an executor legal authority to manage and settle a deceased person’s estate. Without them, even a properly named executor cannot access accounts, transfer property, or pay estate obligations. These letters formally open the probate process and allow the estate to move forward under court supervision....