Estate Administration

Published on: June 17, 2014

Action Stems from Plaintiff’s Attempt to Purchase Real Property

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said this action stems from plaintiff’s attempt to purchase certain real property, located at Bronx County (“subject property”), in August 2005, from four members of a family.

Manhattan Probate Lawyers said one of the members, a lady, died testate in February 1986. Under the terms of her Will, her husband had a life interest in certain properties, but not the subject property, only access to its garage. Article Sixth of the Last Will and Testament provided that their son had a life income interest in the subject property which was to be held in Trust by Trustees. The son’s daughters were allowed to occupy the first floor and second floor, respectively, and, upon the son’s death, the subject property was to be transferred jointly to the daughters, decedent’s granddaughters. The Will also provided that, upon the husband’s death, the son would substitute as Co-Executor and Co-Trustee in his place. The other Co-Executor and Co-Trustee attorney was never a party to the sale of the subject property. Further, the husband and the lawyer never obtained Letters of Co-Trusteeship for the Article Sixth Trust, and only the husband took action as an unauthorized Trustee with regards to the subject property.

A New York Will Lawyer said that Probate Petition and Notice of Probate were filed with the Surrogate’s Court in April 1988, naming the husband and the lawyer as Co-Executors and Co-Trustees. It also requested that Letters of Testamentary be issued to them and that Letters of Trusteeship be issued to them under the Article Third and to the lawyer under the Article Eleventh. Thereafter, the Surrogate’s Court issued Letters of Co-Testamentary and Co-Trusteeship to the Petitioners. However, the Letters of Trusteeship were limited to Articles Third and Eleventh Trusts. The Surrogate’s Court provided a letter to the GAL stating that no application for Letters of Trusteeship was issued under Article Sixth of the Will.

Published on: June 16, 2014

Wife Files Will Contest Action Over Real Property

by Stephen Bilkis

This action stems from plaintiff’s attempt to purchase certain real property, located at Bronx County (“subject property”), in August 2005, from four members of a family.

New York Probate Lawyers said one of the members, a lady, died testate in February 1986. Under the terms of her Will, her husband had a life interest in certain properties, but not the subject property, only access to its garage. Article Sixth of the Last Will and Testament provided that their son had a life income interest in the subject property which was to be held in Trust by Trustees. The son’s daughters were allowed to occupy the first floor and second floor, respectively, and, upon the son’s death, the subject property was to be transferred jointly to the daughters, decedent’s granddaughters. The Will also provided that, upon the husband’s death, the son would substitute as Co-Executor and Co-Trustee in his place. The other Co-Executor and Co-Trustee attorney was never a party to the sale of the subject property. Further, the husband and the lawyer never obtained Letters of Co-Trusteeship for the Article Sixth Trust, and only the husband took action as an unauthorized Trustee with regards to the subject property.

A Bronx Conty Probate attorney said that Probate Petition and Notice of Probate were filed with the Surrogate’s Court in April 1988, naming the husband and the lawyer as Co-Executors and Co-Trustees. It also requested that Letters of Testamentary be issued to them and that Letters of Trusteeship be issued to them under the Article Third and to the lawyer under the Article Eleventh. Thereafter, the Surrogate’s Court issued Letters of Co-Testamentary and Co-Trusteeship to the Petitioners. However, the Letters of Trusteeship were limited to Articles Third and Eleventh Trusts. The Surrogate’s Court provided a letter to the GAL stating that no application for Letters of Trusteeship was issued under Article Sixth of the Will.

Published on: June 15, 2014

Petitioner Files Probate Action Based on Will Contest

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said on 17 June 2007, seven months after executing her will, the decedent, AB, died. Her husband predeceased her in 2001, and she never had any children, biological or adopted. The decedent was survived by six distributees: NK, GKH, and EKS (children of the decedent’s predeceased brother, HK; and, DK, BK, and KK (the children of decedent’s predeceased nephew, RK, and who apparently spell their surname differently, with a double last letter). The six distributees reside in Australia.

The proponent and executor, G, had been employed by the decedent as a full-time caregiver who lived in the decedent’s home.

A New York Will Lawyer said on 21 September 2007, G filed a petition for probate, stating that the decedent left no distributees, surviving or deceased. Under Paragraph 6(a) of the petition, the “name and relationship” of all persons with a “legacy, devise or other interest, or nature of fiduciary status” is asked. In G’s original probate petition, she stated that she was the decedent’s live-in companion and the beneficiary of the decedent’s entire estate, as well as the designated executor. The only other individual named by G as a person interested in the decedent’s estate is G’s sister, RG, a resident of Ukraine, who is listed as the successor beneficiary of the decedent’s entire estate and the nominated successor executor. The petition reflects 23 Alexander Drive in Oyster Bay, which had been the decedent’s home, as G’s address. In response to question 8(a), which asks whether “any beneficiary under the propounded will, listed in Paragraph 6 or 7 above, had a confidential relationship to the decedent,” G indicated that she, “petitioner,” had a confidential relationship with the decedent.

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 26, 2014

Family Member Files Objections to Accounting in Estate Proceeding

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said the decedent died in May 2004, leaving a will which was admitted to probate. The decedent was survived by his four children. The will makes pre-residuary cash bequests of $45,000.00 to each of the children. The will further provides that the decedent’s residuary estate be divided equally among his four children. Letters testamentary issued to petitioner in July 2004.

A Nassau County Estate lawyer said that Petitioner originally filed a First and Final Accounting of his proceedings covering the period May 2004 through January 2008. Thereafter, he filed a First Interim Account of the Estate of the decedent. This document covers the period from May 2004 to January 2008, the same period covered by the First and Final Accounting. The Interim Account was verified by Petitioner in February 2009, nearly one year after the First and Final Account.

A New York County Will Lawyer said the brother filed objections to the accounting. The parties stipulated at trial that the estate had the burden of proof on the issue of whether the decedent made a loan to the brother. In addition, the parties acknowledged that petitioner took an advance payment of commissions in the amount of $10,0000.00, without prior court order and repaid the sum of $10,000.00 to the estate.

Published on: May 25, 2014

Administrator Moves to Dismiss Petition by Two Creditors

by Stephen Bilkis

In this miscellaneous proceeding, the respondent, administrator de bonis non, moves to dismiss the petition by two alleged creditors for revocation of his letters pursuant to CPLR 3211 (a) (2) and (3).

A New York Probate Lawyer said that the decedent died in April 1939, intestate. The decedent was the writer of some classic songs. He was survived by his wife and his father. Pursuant to the law of intestacy applicable at the time of the decedent’s death, the survivors were the decedent’s only distributees. In May 1939, the wife was appointed administrator of the decedent’s estate. She died in November 1973, a resident of New York County. She left a last will and testament which nominated executors. The first executor died in January 1983 leaving a will. Letters testamentary in his estate issued to his co-executor.

A New York Will Lawyer said the respondent, who alleges that he is a grandnephew of the decedent, petitioned for letters of administration de bonis non with respect to the decedent’s estate by petition dated September 21, 2009. The petition filed by him in the administration proceeding recites that the decedent had eight brothers and sisters who were deceased and that five nephews/nieces and seventeen great-nephews/great-nieces “were surviving.” Nicholas’ petition for letters of administration de bonis non was supported by waivers and consents of twenty-one of the distributees identified and citation issued to one alleged distributee who did not appear on the return date. According to his petition, the value of the assets in need of administration was $9,000.00.

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 21, 2014

Public Administrator Asks Court To Disallow Attorneys Fees

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said a man died intestate, a resident and domiciliary of Nassau County. Letters of estate administration were issued to the Public Administrator. The account filed by the Public Administrator shows total charges of $614,863.33, total credits of $72,849.32 and a balance on hand of $595,994.34. Objections to the account were filed by people who claim to be distributees of the decedent. They objected to the disallowance of their claims against the decedent’s estate and the Public Administrator’s request to distribute the net estate to the New York State Comptroller for the benefit of the decedent’s unknown distributees, and they reserved their right to object to the Public Administrator’s legal fees, but ultimately did not object to them. Thereafter, the Public Administrator filed an affidavit bringing the account current. It shows total charges of $677,462.32 and total credits and cash on hand of $677,462.32.

The record reflects that a diligent and exhaustive search was made to discover evidence of other possible distributees. Since more than three years have elapsed since the decedent’s death, the known heirs are entitled to the benefit of the presumption of Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA). Therefore, based upon the evidence before the court, it is held that the decedent is survived by five distributees: one paternal cousin and four maternal cousins. Pursuant to Estates Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL), one-half of the decedent’s property passes to the issue of paternal grandparents, by representation, and one-half to the issue of maternal grandparents, by representation.

A New York Will Lawyer said that durning to the accounting, the Public Administrator’s reimbursement in the amount of $7,469.00 for the decedent’s funeral is approved as a reasonable and necessary estate administration expense. The Public Administrator has asked for the court’s approval for disallowing the claims for payment of legal fees; for cleaning services at the decedent’s residence; for cleaning services at the decedent’s residence; and for cleaning services at the decedent’s residence. The basis of the Public Administrator’s rejection of the claims is that these individuals were not authorized by the Public Administrator to provide cleaning services to the estate. These four claims have now been withdrawn, making the request for approval of their disallowance moot. The claim of the oil company is disallowed for failure to submit documentary evidence sufficient to substantiate such claim and for failure to complete and return the affidavit of claim required by SCPA.

Published on: May 20, 2014

Probate Court Decides Tax Issue

by Stephen Bilkis

New York Probate Lawyers said the decedent died a resident of Nassau County and left a will. The will was admitted to probate by decree of the court and letters testamentary were issued to one of the decedent’s daughters. The decedent was also survived by another daughter.

A New York Will Lawyer said the decedent directed that all taxes and duties of any nature which may be assessed or imposed, either by the United States, the State of New York, or by any other jurisdiction, upon or with respect to property passing under the provisions of the Will or upon or with respect to property not passing under the provisions of the Will but upon which property such taxes are assessed or imposed, including all such taxes assessed or imposed upon the proceeds of any policies of insurance upon her life, be paid out of her residuary estate. Unless her residuary estate is insufficient to pay the taxes in full, no claim shall be made by her Executors for a contribution toward the payment of taxes against any beneficiary of this Will, other than the residuary beneficiary, or against any person who, by reason of her death, receives property outside the Will, or against any person who receives the proceeds of life insurance contracts.

Bronx Probate Lawyers said the executor has filed an account of her proceedings. The decedent’s daughter and niece have filed objections to the account. The objectants object to the Statement of Interested Parties, because they contend that one of the daughters is not a 50% residuary beneficiary as described therein but instead the sole residuary beneficiary. The objectants claim that the dispositions are pre-residuary legacies and not part of the residuary estate. The objectants also object to the manner in which the executor has allocated estate taxes. The objectants argue that the estate taxes should be borne entirely by one of the daughters since she is the sole residuary beneficiary under the Will.

Published on: May 18, 2014

Public Administrator Seeks Requests an Accounting and Attorneys Fees

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said in this accounting proceeding are the issues of attorney fees and accountant fees. The Public Administrator also seeks approval of commissions. In addition, the Public Administrator asks for approval to disallow the claims of several hospitals, various healthcare corporations and two insurance corporations on the grounds that each claimant has failed to submit documentary evidence sufficient to substantiate any such claim and failed to complete and return the Affidavit of Claim provided to each claimant by the Public Administrator. The Public Administrator also asks for authorization to distribute the sum of $1,781.28 to the New York State Comptroller’s Office for the benefit of the unknown holder in due course of a money judgment entered by the First District Court of Nassau County in favor of a bank. Lastly, the Public Administrator asks to be released from the surety bond.

A New York Will Lawyer said the decedent man died intestate as a resident of Nassau County. Letters of Estate Administration were issued to the Public Administrator. The decedent was survived by three siblings. The summary statement shows charges to the accounting party of $30,141.29.

With respect to the issue of attorney fees, the court bears the ultimate responsibility for approving legal fees that are charged to an estate and has the discretion to determine what constitutes reasonable compensation for legal services rendered in the course of an estate. While there is no hard and fast rule to calculate reasonable compensation to an attorney in every case, the Surrogate Court is required to exercise his or her authority with reason, proper discretion and not arbitrarily.