Probate & Estate Administration
New York Estate Laws
Attorneys at Scheich & Goldsmith, P.C., understand that the days and weeks following the death of a loved one are stressful for family members. We offer sound, sensitive legal counsel. At our neighborhood law firm with offices in Queens and Long Island, it is our goal to relieve our clients of administrative responsibilities and reassure them that all legal requirements of the probate process will be met. Our estate administration lawyers believe that the only way to truly understand clients' needs is to spend the time to get to know them.
Responsive Service: If you would like to sit down and talk with attorney Michael Goldsmith or John Scheich to discuss your situation on the phone, contact our law office to make arrangements. One of them will get back to you, usually on the same day. We have a twenty-four hour answering service.
Probate: In New York, probate laws govern the administration of an estate if there is a valid will. Our attorneys will assist the executor or personal representative of an estate with the necessary applications, court filings, locating missing heirs, identifying unknown heirs, finding missing witnesses, notification of heirs and other interested parties, the satisfaction of debts, and administration and distribution of the deceased's assets and personal belongings. If you call us, we will discuss your specific needs. We will help the deceased's chosen fiduciary carry out all responsibilities so there are no questions later.
Estate Administration: If there was no valid will or the will is missing, we will help a client petition the Surrogate's Court for appointment as the estate's administrator. If all of the heirs are of equal degree of relationship, any of these people can file for Letters of Administration, so time is of the essence in filing a petition if you want to be appointed.
Estate Accounting: We also represent clients who are concerned that the fiduciary of a trust or estate is not handling things properly. An executor, administrator, or trustee is responsible for carrying out the wishes of the deceased in accordance with the terms of the will, trust, or intestate distribution law. If the beneficiaries believe the personal representative has committed a breach of fiduciary duty, perhaps by misappropriating funds, we can demand that the fiduciary be compelled to file a formal accounting with the court.
Will Contests: Our attorneys will also help you if there is a dispute as to the validity of a will. Incompetence, coercion, incapacity, technical defects, or a lack of proper witnesses may be grounds to contest a will. We have handled both sides in these types of matters.
Contact Scheich & Goldsmith to speak with a New York City estate administration lawyer and probate law attorney. We assist clients throughout NYC and Long Island, in communities including Queens, Richmond Hill, Hicksville, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Bethpage, Woodhaven, Woodside, Rego Park, Flushing, Syosset, Mineola, Levittown, Plainview, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, Elmont, Hempstead, Valley Stream, Laurelton, Rosedale, Hollis, Queens County, Nassau County and Suffolk County. Probate Court, criminal court, real estate transactions - as neighborhood lawyers we help our clients with a variety of issues.
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