Knowledgeable Long Island Probate Attorney Ready To Serve You
Understanding Probate and Estate Administration
If someone you care about passed away in Long Island or the New York City area, I can guide you through probate and the entire estate administration process as your Long Island probate lawyer. Whether you have been named as an Executor or beneficiary in a Will or your loved one did not have a Last Will & Testament, the process can be difficult and time-consuming.
The highly-skilled Long Island probate attorneys at the Law Office of Andrew M. Lamkin, P.C. can help you obtain an appointment as the Executor, settle debts, distribute assets, and explain all of your legal rights. Contact us today.
Probate is the process of legally establishing the validity of a Will in Surrogate’s Court. Where there is no will, the process is called Administration and can be much more difficult because the Court does not have the guidance of a Last Will & Testament, where the decedent stated their wishes. Therefore, an Administrator must distribute the assets according to New York intestacy laws. Hiring a skilled Long Island probate lawyer makes the process run much smoother.
Basic Information You Need to Know
Executor or Administrator
Both of these terms refer to the person who is responsible for making payments of debts, paying taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. If your loved one passed away with a will, you may have been named the executor. If there is no will, the Surrogate’s Court will assign an administrator (typically a close family member).
Estate Taxes
Taxes imposed on the estates of individuals at the time of their passing. The New York State limit is currently one million dollars, meaning every estate in excess of one million dollars must pay a tax. The executor is responsible for paying the tax out of the proceeds of the estate. The tax must be paid within nine months of the date of death of the individual. Therefore, it is important to begin work quickly. Reach out to our Long Island probate attorney to discuss your situation.
Letter of Testamentary or Letter of Administration
The document provided by the Surrogates Court in the County where the decedent lived. The document is a “certificate” which appoints an individual to be “executor” or “administrator” and allows that person to administer the estate, including conducting such functions as settling debts with creditors, paying estate taxes, selling assets, and distributing inheritance to the proper beneficiaries.
Real Property
This is simply another term for real estate. If the deceased owned property in multiple states, you will need to go through the probate process in each of those states (extending the entire process to be in excess of a year).
The probate and estate administration process can be complex and time-consuming. As a skillful probate legal practitioner in Long Island, I will help you understand the issues you need to deal with and complete the process as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Contact a Long Island Probate Lawyer
Our experienced legal practitioner also handles other types of cases, including:
- Elder legal matters
- Estate planning matters
- Medicaid cases
- Trusts and wills matters
- Estate litigation cases
- Special needs matters
- Advanced directives
Speak with an experienced Long Island probate attorney today. Contact attorney Andrew Lamkin of the Law Office Of Andrew Lamkin P.C. today to schedule an appointment with a trusted and proven Long Island probate law firm. I am available to meet with you at your home or at my office.