Long Island

Published on: November 18, 2014

Court Settles Who is “Next of Kin” in Probate Proceeding

by Stephen Bilkis

Decedent died in 1949 leaving a will which he had executed in 1919, some 30 years before his death which was duly admitted to probate.

A New York Probate Lawyer said in Article THIRD, the will created a trust for the life income benefit of testator’s wife. Upon her death, the principal was to be paid to son and if he should predecease to his issue. In fact the son predeceased the testator himself as well as his mother the income beneficiary without issue. It that contingency, the will directed the Trustee to pay over, transfer and deliver the principal of the trust fund to and among my next of kin in equal shares but Per stirpes and not Per capita.

A New York Estate lawyer said that the direction is clearly to distribute the principal among Testator’s next of kin. The issue is as of what date are the next of kin to be determined (1) 1919 the date of execution of the will; (2) 1949 the date of testator’s death or (3) 1975 the date of death of the income beneficiary, testator’s wife?

Published on: October 26, 2014

Court Rules on Holdover Proceeding

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said this is a probate proceeding where the decedent’s son, who is the sole distributee and the sole income beneficiary of a testamentary trust consisting of the entire residuary estate, seeks to revoke his waiver and consent to probate so that he may conduct SCPA 1404 examinations and file objections to probate, if appropriate; and, seeks for an order directing the preliminary executors to discontinue a pending landlord/tenant holdover proceeding they commenced against him in connection with his occupancy of a portion of real property that appears to be the sole asset available to fund the trust. The movant’s four sons, two of whom are infants for whom a guardian ad litem was appointed, are the contingent remaindermen of the trust.

The relevant facts are the following:

A New York Estate Lawyer offered for probate is the will dated 30 January 2000 along with a codicil dated 20 July 2009. The codicil amended the will to include a newborn grandson. Both the will and codicil were drafted by an attorney and their execution was attorney-supervised; both were witnessed by three witnesses who also executed self-proving affidavits; it leaves all tangible personal property to the son; in paragraph FOURTH (A) and (C), the entire residuary estate is placed in trust, with all net income, payable to the son quarter-annually or at more frequent intervals if necessary during his lifetime, with the remainder divided equally among the decedent’s grandchildren; and, in paragraph FOURTH (B), the “sole and absolute discretion” is vested in the trustees to invade the corpus of the trust in such amounts and at such times as they shall deem appropriate and necessary for the health, welfare, support and maintenance of the son, and directs that such invasion “shall” be made “without considering the effect such invasion may have upon any third persons, including the remaindermen.”

Published on: October 13, 2014

Court Determines Apportionment of Legal Fees in Estate Administration Case

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said the woman died survived by one sister and thirteen descendants of pre-deceased siblings. The deceased woman’s nephew, the Executor filed a Verified Petition to Probate a Last Will and Testament, dated April 17, 1996 in which he was the nominated Executor and in which he and his two siblings were named as the sole residuary beneficiaries. The Executor was granted Preliminary Letters Testamentary on October 29, 2009. Included in his Petition for Probate was an assertion by the decedent’s Executor that, after a diligent search and inquiry there exists no will, codicil or other testamentary instrument of the decedent later in date. The Petition also listed only the decedent’s one surviving sibling, and the Petitioner and his two sisters, omitting ten of the decedent’s distributees, all cousins of the Executor.

The decedent’s one surviving sister and the ten distributees left out of the Petition for Probate, six nieces and nephews and four great-nieces and nephews of the decedent (Objectants), jointly retained their counsel and conducted an investigation that ultimately determined that the April 17, 1996 will probated by the Executor was not the decedent’s Last Will and Testament.

A New York Estate Lawyer said the evidence was adduced that the decedent had executed a Last Will and Testament on July 11, 2000 and subsequently intentionally destroyed it. As the July 11, 2000 will revoked all prior wills of the decedent, its destruction would, in the absence of a subsequent will, result in the decedent’s property passing pursuant to the laws of intestacy and the Executor not being named as executor. Accordingly, on December 1, 2009, the Objectants filed a Verified Answer to the Executor’s Petition for Probate and Objections to the Probate of the April 17, 1996 Will.

Published on: September 18, 2014

court Decides if Will Should be Held Invalid Due to Statute of Limitations

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said that, this is a proceeding to vacate a decree of probate and to allow the petitioners to withdraw the waivers of process, consents to probate they executed on May 17, 1999. The petitioners are the decedent’s four adult children, the executor of the estate, opposes requested relief. Respondent is the decedent’s surviving spouse; he and the decedent were married in November 1991. The husband is not the father of the petitioners.

A New York Estate Lawyer said that, on February 20, 2008, the court issued a decision and order wherein the court granted the petitioners’ counsel’s unopposed motion to withdraw as the petitioners’ counsel and stayed the proceedings for 30 days after a copy of the order was served by overnight delivery on the petitioners. A copy of the order was served as directed, and the period of the stay has expired. The petition to vacate the decree granting probate and for other relief has now been submitted for decision.

A Bronx Estate Administration Lawyer said that, the decedent died on December 5, 1998 at the age of 57. Her last will and testament dated March 11, 1995 was admitted to probate by decree dated July 29, 1999, and letters testamentary were issued to the husband. The affidavit of subscribing witnesses annexed to the will states that the will was executed under the supervision of an attorney. The decedent left her entire estate to her husband. In the event that the husband had predeceased the decedent, the decedent bequeathed the estate to the petitioners, per stirpes.

Published on: September 17, 2014

Court Decides if Decedent Meant to Name Petitioner as Sole Fiduciary

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said that, this case, and an analogous matter decided on the same day, raise troubling questions about the use of pre-printed or form living trusts, which are now being heavily marketed in New York State. The instant case is especially disturbing, because its trust takes the form of loose pages contained in a three ring binder. The proceeding was initiated by the petitioner” for the probate of the Will of the decedent who died on September 9, 1996. The decedent’s Will, executed April 30, 1996, leaves his entire estate to the ” Revocable Living Trust dated April 30, 1996 and any amendments thereto.” The trust agreement provides for lifetime income and principal payments to the decedent as he directs. Upon the decedent’s death the principal remaining is to be distributed to the petitioner, a friend. An alleged amendment leaves 99.75% of the principal balance to the petitioner and .25% to another friend. The decedent is the sole lifetime trustee. The petitioner is either sole personal representative under the Will and sole successor trustee under the trust, or a co-fiduciary in each. A prior Will, dated October 24, 1990, which bequeathed one tenth of one percent of the estate outright to the other friend and the balance to the petitioner, was also filed with the court. The decedent left assets of about $1 million, of which approximately $950,000 had been transferred into the trust and passes according to its terms and $60,000 remained in his name at death and passes according to the provisions of the Will.

A New York Estate Lawyer said that, in reviewing the probate submissions, the court discovered that both the Will and the trust were so ambiguously worded that it was impossible to determine the decedent’s wishes regarding one of the most fundamental elements of his estate plan–the nomination of the fiduciary. Further examination of the documents revealed a staggering number of additional ambiguities, inconsistencies, apparent irrelevancies, and outright errors, many of which pose major problems in ascertaining or effectuating the decedent’s dispositive intent.

A Queens Probate Lawyers said that, at this same time, another construction proceeding involving a form living trust, which contained provisions analogous to those in the document already under review, was brought before the court. The executor of the Will of concerned that the merger of legal and equitable interests in her father’s trust might render it ineffective and hence not a proper receptacle for the pour-over of his estate assets, sought a construction permitting all of the property to be disposed of according to the trust’s terms. Faced with the Howard request for construction of similar provisions, as well as with the immediate need in the instant case to identify the fiduciary and to ascertain the decedent’s intentions regarding other significant provisions of both instruments, this court determined that a construction of the instant Will and trust was necessary at the present time. The Surrogate’s Court has the power to construe a Will when construction is necessary to determine questions in a proceeding before it or to make a complete disposition of a matter. Because one major obscurity concerning the ultimate disposition of the probate estate in the instant matter involved minors or unborn as possible takers, a guardian ad litem was appointed.

Published on: August 31, 2014

Court Determines Proper Amount for Attorney’s Fees

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said this is a proceeding submitted for decision wherein the issue is the source of payment for fees awarded to a guardian ad litem. In this probate proceeding, the will “pours over” into an inter vivos trust. The court is tasked to decide whether trust assets can be used to pay all or part of the fee under SCPA 405(1).

The court finds that the fee may be paid from trust assets.

On 24 January 2006, F died a resident of Nassau County. On 24 October 2003, he had created the “F Revocable Trust U/A dated 24 October 2003.” At that time, F also executed his will, the instrument that is offered for probate. Both instruments were drafted by the decedent’s long-time attorney who also supervised the execution of both documents. As is customary with estate plans of this sort, the bulk of the decedent’s assets were transferred to the trust while he was alive. As a result, the will was designed to be a “catch all” so that any stray assets left in the decedent’s estate would be captured and distributed in accord with the terms of the trust. The probate petition reflects a probate estate of less than $10,000.00 while the trust holds assets close to $1,000,000.00.

Published on: August 24, 2014

Court Decides Whether it Should Grant Settlement of Account

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said that, before the court is the first and final account of the ancillary executor of the estate of the decedent. The court is asked to approve: (i) attorney’s fees; (ii) commissions; (iii) reimbursement of expenses; and (iv) the settlement of the account. The decedent, died on May 3, 2004, leaving a will dated February 13, 2001. At the time of her death, the decedent was domiciled in Florida. Ancillary letters testamentary issued to the executor on July 18, 2005. The accounting covers the period May 3, 2004 to April 21, 2009. An amended accounting covering the period May 3, 2004 to December 22, 2009 was filed on February 5, 2010. The amended accounting shows principal charges to the accounting party of $829,804.35.

A Nassau Estate Lawyer said that, objections to the accounting and the amended accounting were filed by a $10,000.00 legatee and the beneficiary of fifty percent (50%) of the residuary estate. The ancillary executor is the beneficiary of the other fifty percent (50%) share of the residuary estate. By instrument dated December 2, 2010, he withdrew his objections to both the first account and the amended account.

The issue in this case is whether the court should grant the settlement of the account.

Published on: May 29, 2014

Defendant Appeals Judgment from Foreclosure Proceeding

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said in an action transferred to this court from Supreme Court, Nassau County, defendant, a house loan corporation, one of several defendants, moves the court for an order dismissing the complaint as against it. Plaintiffs oppose Countrywide’s motion and cross-move for summary judgment dismissing Countrywide’s answer, or, in the alternative, striking Countrywide’s fourth and seventh affirmative defenses.

A Nassau County Estate attorney said that this action emanates from a foreclosure proceeding involving property located at Hempstead, New York. That property was owned by an individual who died intestate in July 1986. Her brother administered her estate as voluntary administrator pursuant to SCPA Article 13. It appears, although it is not entirely clear, that the sole distributee and that the subject property vested in him immediately upon his sister’s death. The other then died testate on June 9, 1994. Th deceased was appointed the voluntary administrator of the estate.

A New York Will Lawyer said the court’s file contains the original will which devises and bequeaths all of his property to his cousin who died in August 2000. There was no deed executed from the estate of the first decedent to the second, nor was there a deed from the estate to the deceased executor. Although the original will was filed in the court incident to the voluntary administration of the estate of the second decedent, the will was never offered for, or admitted to, probate. The plaintiffs are the non-marital children of the decedent, the administrators of his estate, and claim to be his only distributees.

Published on: May 23, 2014

Court Decides Case Regarding Foreclosure of Estate Property

by Stephen Bilkis

In an action transferred to this court from Supreme Court, Nassau County, defendant, a house loan corporation, one of several defendants, moves the court for an order dismissing the complaint as against it. Plaintiffs oppose Countrywide’s motion and cross-move for summary judgment dismissing Countrywide’s answer, or, in the alternative, striking Countrywide’s fourth and seventh affirmative defenses.

A New York Probate Lawyer said that this action emanates from a foreclosure proceeding involving property located at Hempstead, New York. That property was owned by an individual who died intestate in July 1986. Her brother administered her estate as voluntary administrator pursuant to SCPA Article 13. It appears, although it is not entirely clear, that the sole distributee and that the subject property vested in him immediately upon his sister’s death. The other then died testate on June 9, 1994. The deceased was appointed the voluntary administrator of the estate.

The court’s file contains the original will which devises and bequeaths all of his property to his cousin who died in August 2000. There was no deed executed from the estate of the first decedent to the second, nor was there a deed from the estate to the deceased executor. Although the original will was filed in the court incident to the voluntary administration of the estate of the second decedent, the will was never offered for, or admitted to, probate. The plaintiffs are the non-marital children of the decedent, the administrators of his estate, and claim to be his only distributees.

Published on: May 17, 2014

Petitioner Requests an Accounting Regarding Real Estate Holdings

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said this action for an accounting was commenced on August 14, 2009. In the first cause of action, the complainant seeks an accounting with respect to the affairs of a chain of stores. In the second cause of action, the complainant seeks an accounting with respect to the affairs of the real estate company. In the third cause of action, the complainant seeks a declaratory judgment that the mediation settlement agreement does not cover her claims for an accounting.

A New York Will Lawyer said the defendant woman moves to dismiss the complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction. She argues that the estate has no contacts with New York. Civil Practice Law Rules (CPLR) provides that a court may exercise personal jurisdiction over any non-domiciliary, or his executor or estate administrator, who in person or through an agent, transacts any business within the state as to a cause of action arising from the transaction of business. Prior to his demise, the decedent was involved in the management of all six of the partnerships. The complainants’ causes of action for an accounting relate to the properties located in Queens. Thus, the complainants’ causes of action for an accounting arise from activity carried on by the decedent in New York State. Moreover, the decedent had additional contact with New York by virtue of having received letters testamentary from the Nassau Surrogate’s Court. Since the decedent transacted business in New York, the court may exercise personal jurisdiction over his executrix with respect to a cause of action arising from the transaction. The defendant woman’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction is denied.

Brooklyn Probate Lawyers said the defendant woman argues that any claim asserted by the complainant pursuant to the receipt, release, and refunding agreement is barred by the one year time limit applicable to claims against the decedent’s estates in Massachusetts probate proceedings.