Your White Plains Estate Litigation Lawyers
By creating a valid will, you specify how your estate should be distributed to your loved ones after you pass. However, if you die intestate—or without a valid will—your county probate court decides how your estate should be distributed based upon laws governing intestate succession.
The probate process ensures that all debts, taxes, and other financial obligations owed by the deceased are resolved and that all remaining property is distributed to those who are legally entitled to receive it. To execute these tasks, the probate court usually appoints an executor or administrator who agrees to perform his or her duties faithfully. Administrators also post a bond, paid from the estate, to cover potential losses the estate might suffer due to their errors or mistakes.
Administering an estate without a will
- Estate administrators are typically required to handle the following duties:
- Taking inventory of all financial assets and property subject to distribution in probate
- Collecting all of the decedent's assets, even if litigation is needed to do so
- Obtaining qualified appraisals for jewelry, artwork, and other collectibles that fluctuate in value
- Paying all debts and obligations, such as taxes, hospital bills, and funeral expenses
- Selling off property and assets if necessary to satisfy debts
- Distributing the remaining assets to the heirs or other legally entitled parties in accordance with strict probate rules and formulas
- Maintaining accurate accounting and reports regarding all financial transactions and distributions made on behalf of the estate
How an estate litigation lawyer can help you
Since administrators assume serious legal responsibilities, they are exposed to financial liabilities if the assets and claims are not handled properly. For this reason, administrators should obtain sound legal advice from White Plains estate litigation lawyer Joseph M. Buderwitz.
At the estate litigation law firm of Joseph M. Buderwitz, we manage and litigate all aspects of estate disputes. Mr. Buderwitz has been appointed guardian ad litem several times by the Surrogates of Westchester and Putnam counties to represent the interests of beneficiaries, heirs, and others associated with estate and trust matters. While most Surrogate Court cases are not contested, a substantial portion of our practice is devoted to contested estate and probate matters.
Let us help you today
If you are looking for estate litigation law firms in White Plains, the Law Office of Joseph M. Buderwitz can assist with contested wills, trust administration, and other probate matters.
As a highly respected law firm in White Plains, we represent clients throughout Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Bronx, and New York counties. To consult a knowledgeable, responsible estate litigation lawyer in White Plains, please call our office at 914-595-5078 or fill out our online form to schedule an initial consultation.
