Estate Administration - Bernard Law P.C.

What Is A Spendthrift Trust And When Does It Make Sense?

A trust can do much more than determine who receives property after someone dies. In the right circumstances, it can also control how an inheritance is managed, when distributions are made, and how much access a beneficiary has to the assets. One tool we may use for these purposes is a spendthrift trust. This type […]

Posted on: September 19, 2026

Can An Executor Sell Real Estate Without Beneficiary Approval In New York?

When someone passes away owning real estate in Suffolk County, disagreements often arise over whether the executor can sell the property without all beneficiaries agreeing. Family homes can hold sentimental value, and one beneficiary might want to keep it, while another prefers to receive cash. The executor may feel a sale is needed to cover […]

Posted on: September 17, 2026

What Happens When Siblings Disagree About an Inherited Home?

When siblings inherit a family home together, unexpected legal and emotional challenges can arise. For example, one sibling might want to sell right away, another may hope to keep the house in the family, and a third could already be living there and not want to move. Things can get even more complicated if one […]

Posted on: September 14, 2026

Why Trust Funding Is What Makes The Plan Work

Creating a trust can be an important part of an estate plan, but signing the trust agreement does not necessarily accomplish everything the client expects. We often explain that a trust is only as effective as the planning that connects assets to it. A perfectly drafted revocable trust may contain detailed instructions for managing property […]

Posted on: September 12, 2026

Can I Change My Trust Without Signing A New Pour-Over Will?

A revocable living trust and a pour-over will are meant to work together, so clients in Suffolk County often wonder if changing one means they need to change the other. In most New York estate plans, the answer is no. If your pour-over will is properly drafted, it can still direct probate assets into your […]

Posted on: September 11, 2026

What Happens If You Die Without A Will In New York?

If you die without a will, your property does not just disappear or automatically go to New York State. Instead, you lose the chance to decide who gets your probate assets, who manages your estate, and how your family’s needs are handled after your death. When someone passes away without a valid will, they are […]

Posted on: September 6, 2026

What Is A Pour-Over Will And Why Does It Matter?

When we set up an estate plan with a revocable living trust in Suffolk County, the trust is just one part of the process. We also have to think about what happens to property that was never moved into the trust before someone passes away. Things like a new bank account, recently bought property, a […]

Posted on: September 3, 2026

Should I Tell My Children What Is in My Estate Plan?

A common question we hear from clients in. Suffolk County is whether they should share the details of their estate plan with their children. Some parents think being open will help avoid confusion later, while others prefer to keep their finances private. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice depends on your family relationships, […]

Posted on: August 30, 2026

Elderly woman and man sit at a wooden table reviewing financial documents, including an envelope labeled 'Important Financial Documents'.

How Can An Estate Plan Protect An Aging Parent From Financial Exploitation?

Financial exploitation of an aging parent often does not start with a stranger or a clear scam. In many families, the bigger risk comes from someone who already knows the parent, understands their finances, or slowly gains influence as the parent needs more help. This could be an adult child, caregiver, friend, romantic partner, or […]

Posted on: August 27, 2026

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