Probate & Estate Administration

Dear Mr. Di Costanzo:  Why do I need a Will or Trust if all my accounts have designated beneficiaries? Beneficiary designations are...

Dear Mr. Di Costanzo: Can I act under my father’s power of attorney after he dies? One of the most important estate planning documents...

Dear Mr. Di Costanzo: Can my spouse access our jointly owned safe deposit box after my death? It is common practice in New York for banks...

When someone nominates you as the Executor of their Last Will and Testament (“Will”), you are not obligated to accept such nomination. In...

If you were to review my client files over the last decade, you might be surprised to learn that estate plans for people younger than...

Regardless of whether your estate plan is basic or complex, it is important to review the plan every few years for reasons that include...

Co-Authored by Joanna C. Feldman Many people ask whether – or even why – they need a Last Will and Testament (“Will”) if they designate...

In many cases, a divorce is a traumatic experience for both parties. Usually, neither party has given any thought to the unintended...

The nomenclature used to title accounts can be daunting and quite frankly downright confusing.  After creating trusts for our clients, we...

Co-authored by Joanna C. Feldman This is a question that often comes up in the midst of the grief of losing a loved one.  The thought of...

Remember, the purpose of a revocable trust is to avoid probate and following fact patterns make it a necessity to use a revocable trust....

Actually, yes!  When someone dies, the first step is to determine if the decedent owned any assets individually, meaning there were...

The main purpose of a will is to direct where your assets will go after you die, but it can also be used to instruct your heirs how to...

This is a very common issue with revocable trusts and it results from not respecting the formalities of the trust. In order for a...

Assuming by your question that you are a beneficiary of your parent’s estate, you are entitled to certain information.  For instance,...

The answer to this question is dependent on the County you live in.  Regardless, the probate process can take quite some time and delay...

Grandparents may be tempted to leave an IRA to a grandchild because children have a low tax rate, but the “kiddie tax” could make doing...

An integral part of our practice involves planning with the assets of individuals who are disabled or have special needs. These...

Whether your spouse has just passed away or you have lost your mom or dad, the emotional trauma of losing a loved one often comes with a bew