Your Right to an Elective Share: A Guide for Disinherited Spouses in New York

In New York State, if a surviving spouse is "disinherited" (i.e., not provided for in a decedent’s will), they have the option to claim an elective share of the decedent's estate. This legal right allows a spouse to receive a portion of the estate, even if the decedent's will does not provide for them....
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Inheritance on hold? Most Americans don’t understand the time and expense of probate

At Sverdlov Law, we recognize that navigating the legal process following a loved one’s death can be daunting. Many Americans are unaware of the complexities, time, and costs associated with probate. For a detailed exploration of this topic, we recommend reading the insightful article by USA Today, "Inheritance on...
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Removing a Bad Executor and Taking Control: Your Legal Rights and Options

Do you think that the Executor of an Estate is doing a bad job? Do you want to remove a Trustee from a Trust? It's not as easy as you think. Estate management can be riddled with challenges, particularly when conflicts arise between beneficiaries and Executors.  In this video, we'll discuss some essential points for removing...
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3 Things to Remember When Administering an Estate in New York to Avoid Litigation

Administering an estate in New York involves significant responsibilities that demand attention to detail and careful planning to avoid potential litigation.  Please watch this short video or read the entire script below, which will provide crucial insight for estate administrators, highlighting three vital strategies to ensure a smooth process and minimize the...
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What happens if there are not enough assets in the Estate to pay all claims

Purpose of probate: Probate of the estate serves several purposes. It starts with identifying the heirs of the estate, continues with identifying the assets owned by the decedent, continues with paying the claims of the estate, and is finalized by distributing the remaining assets to the required beneficiaries. Every single step of this process...
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Account Closures and Cancellations

One of the hardest parts of losing a loved one is dealing with the financial aftermath. While your family and friends are aware of the passing, the rest of the financial institutions are not and they will keep sending the bills. Gym memberships, subscription wine club memberships, student loans, credit cards, Netflix subscription, utility...
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Basics of Planning a Funeral

Pre-Planning is best because it eases the burden on your loved ones. If you have specific wishes (i.e. – scattering your ashes over Yukon, Canada or getting buried under a specific tree) you should at least write these wishes down and ideally arrange for their execution. However, that is not always possible and millions...
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