Garden City Estate Administration Lawyer

Estate Administration Attorney in Garden City, NY

Losing a loved one is a difficult time in and of itself, add the process of managing their estate and distributing their assets, and it can be incredibly stressful. If you recently lost a family member or other loved one, you may need assistance in navigating the next steps. When these difficult circumstances arise, a Garden City, NY, estate administration lawyer is here to help.

Let Pezzello Law Work for You

Located in Nassau County on Long Island in New York, Pezzello Law has been working in the legal industry for over three decades. Now, with our attention pointed in the direction of estate planning, we are here to help you through every challenge estate administration might throw your way.

We know firsthand how difficult it is to lose a loved one. Whether your family members are members of the Garden City Jewish Center on Nassau Boulevard or own a family home near Nassau Haven Park, our attorneys are here to help.

Understanding Estate Administration

When a loved one passes with a last will and testament, the process of distributing estate assets in line with that will is called probate. If your loved one passes without a last will and testament, the process of distributing estate assets is called administration. Depending on the size of the estate, both processes likely involve a petition to the court with the assistance of an experienced Trust and Estate administration attorney. We can guide you and your family through the legal process. We are dedicated to supporting each of our clients through the entirety of the legal process, using our legal knowledge to effectively navigate issues that arise while handling estates. We are here to minimize the stress of the legal process while you focus on managing your loss.

Key Steps in Garden City Estate Administration

When an individual passes away, their estate will need to be administered. There are several key steps in this process, and at Pezzello Law, we are here to walk our clients through each and every one. These steps include:

• Determining probate. Only 24% of Americans have a valid will. If your loved one has passed without a will, their estate will be administered according to the intestacy laws of New York. If there is a will, the process of probate will commence.
• Appointment of administrator or executor. If the deceased individual has named an executor in their will, the courts will officially appoint them. If there is no will, the courts will appoint an individual to administer the will, typically a close family member.
• Notification of the heirs. All heirs and beneficiaries will need to be informed of the probate or administration process and be given the necessary information they need to be aware of their rights.
• Asset inventory. The executor or administrator of the estate will need to make a detailed inventory of all the assets held within the estate, such as bank accounts, real estate holdings, and personal property.
• Creditors’ notification. All creditors with interests in the estate will need to be notified so that they can have adequate time to file their claim against the estate.
• Settle any debts. Around 55% of Americans expect that they will pass on some kind of debt to a loved one after they pass. All debts will need to be paid off by liquidating assets held by the estate, and all claims will need to be paid off before any assets can be distributed.
• File taxes. All estate taxes or income tax returns will need to be completed and filed before assets can be distributed.
• Asset distribution. Once all debts and taxes are paid, the remaining assets can be distributed amongst heirs in accordance with the wishes of the deceased if there is a will, or by the state’s intestacy laws if there is no will.
• Estate closing. Final accounting will need to be filed with the court, detailing all financial transactions that occurred during the estate’s administration. Once this is approved, the court can close the estate.

Hire an Estate Administration Lawyer From Pezzello Law Today

The process of losing a loved one is a terrible experience, and the last thing you want to be dealing with is the legal headache that often accompanies estate administration. At Pezzello Law, our skilled attorneys can offer you legal assistance whether you are the estate administrator, a trustee, or a beneficiary. We make it our priority to ensure your loved one’s wishes are carried out and that your interests are protected. Contact us to hire an estate administration lawyer today.