Monthly Archives: July 2019
Who Serves as Executor of My Estate If I Do Not Have a Will?
Many New Yorkers put off making a will until it is too late. When this happens, a person is said to die “intestate.” State law then determines who has the right to be named as executor or personal representative of the deceased person’s estate. For some people this may not be a bad thing…. Read More »
New York’s Elective Share Rule and “Sham” Marriages
Under New York law, it is not possible for a person to completely disinherit their own spouse without their consent. The surviving spouse has the right to take an “elective share” of the deceased spouse’s estate. This applies even if the deceased spouse left a will purporting to expressly disinherit the surviving spouse. However,… Read More »