Estate Planning - Bernard Law P.C.

Why A Will Alone May Not Be Enough For Real Estate Owners

Owning real estate makes estate planning more complex. While a will can say who should get your house, condo, or rental property after you pass away, it does not guarantee a quick or simple transfer. Real estate often brings up probate issues, management challenges if you become incapacitated, disagreements among heirs, and extra complications if […]

Posted on: September 18, 2026

How Does Probate Work in New York?

Probate is the legal process used to establish that a deceased person’s will is valid and give an executor authority to administer the estate. For families in New York, probate can seem confusing because the process involves the Surrogate’s Court, notices to interested parties, identification of estate assets, payment of legitimate debts, and eventual distributions […]

Posted on: September 16, 2026

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Challenging a Will in New York?

A Last Will and Testament is meant to reflect a person’s final wishes, but having a signed will does not guarantee it will go through probate without any issues. Sometimes, families find unexpected changes, large gifts to one person, or the exclusion of a close relative, which can raise real concerns. New York law lets […]

Posted on: September 15, 2026

What Happens To An Estate When There Are Assets No One Knew About?

Settling an estate can seem simple until unexpected property is found. Families might come across an old investment or savings account, stock certificates, mineral rights, cryptocurrency, a business interest, or real estate that was left out of the original estate inventory. Sometimes these assets turn up during the estate process, while other times, an executor […]

Posted on: September 13, 2026

Is A Pour-Over Will Different From A Regular Will?

Many clients have heard the term “pour-over will” but are not sure if it is just another name for a regular will. It is not. A pour-over will is still a will, but it has a more specific role in an estate plan that includes a living trust. Instead of giving all probate assets directly […]

Posted on: September 10, 2026

Do Handwritten Wills Count In New York?

Someone might write out their wishes by hand, sign the paper, and think they have made a valid will. But in New York, handwriting alone usually is not enough to make a will legally binding. The state has specific rules for making wills, and if these are not followed, the document may not control the […]

Posted on: September 9, 2026

How To Keep Your Estate Plan Private In New York

Privacy matters in estate planning, but many people are surprised by how much information can become public after someone passes away. When a will goes through probate, it is no longer just a private family document. Once it enters a Surrogate’s Court case, much of the estate file may be open for public viewing unless […]

Posted on: September 5, 2026

How Often Should You Review Your Estate Plan?

Creating an estate plan is a big step, but signing the documents is not the final stage. Over time, families, assets, and laws can change, and the people you once chose to make decisions might not be the best fit years later. We often see clients who made their wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and […]

Posted on: September 1, 2026

My Parents Are Getting Older What Estate Planning Documents Should They Have?

As your parents age, estate planning can start to feel more urgent. You may wonder who will handle their finances if they get sick, or who will make medical decisions if they cannot speak for themselves. You might also think about what will happen to their home, investments, or other property after they pass away. […]

Posted on: August 29, 2026

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