New York City

Published on: September 6, 2013

Court Reviews Legal Fees In Estate Administration Case

by Stephen Bilkis

Submitted for decision in this intermediate accounting proceeding is the issue of fees and commissions.

On 6 October 1999, A died. She left a will dated 8 August 1997. On 11 April 2000, the will was admitted to probate and on the same date, a letters testamentary was issued to B, her son. B died on 6 May 2002. This is an intermediate accounting by C as executor of the estate of the deceased executor B. The accounting covers the period from 6 October 1999 through 6 May 2002. The summary statement shows charges to the accounting party of $2,384,134.60.

A New York Probate Lawyer said that 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 fees rendered in the course of an estate as held in Matter of Stortecky v Mazzone. While there is no hard and fast rule to calculate reasonable compensation to an attorney in every case, the Surrogate is required to exercise his or her authority with reason, proper discretion and not arbitrarily as held in Matter of Brehm.

Published on: September 5, 2013

Court Finds Decedent’s Testamentary Capacity is in Question

by Stephen Bilkis

This case is contested probate proceeding brought to the court by the nephew of the decedent, A. Objectant moves for an order pursuant to CPLR 3212 granting summary judgment denying probate to the two propounded wills dated 19 October 2001. A New York Probate Lawyer said the proponent, B, cross moves for summary judgment dismissing the objections and admitting the propounded instruments dated 19 October 2001 to probate. The objectant has interposed his objections to the propounded instruments alleging undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity. Objectant also seeks to disqualify B as executor of the estate pursuant to SCPA 707.

On 19 December 2001, decedent C died. He was survived by five brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews of predeceased siblings. Proponent B petitioned for probate of two instruments dated the same day, 19 October 2001. Both instruments contain the names of L, M, and N as the attesting witnesses and O, notary, with a stamp and signature.

Both instruments nominate B as executrix; one of them nominates D as successor. Both instruments divide the estate equally between D and B.

Published on: September 4, 2013

Court Discusses Undue Influence in Will Signing

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said this case is a contested probate proceeding wherein the petitioner, A, the decedent’s second wife, moves for an order pursuant to CPLR 3212 granting summary judgment admitting the proffered instrument dated 21 December 2005 to probate and dismissing the objections filed by three of the four of decedent’s children from his first marriage, X, Y and Z.

On 29 October 2009, the 89 year old decedent died. On 12 September 1984, he was married to petitioner A. An instrument purported to be his last will and testament has been submitted for probate. In his will, petitioner was named the executor. The propounded instrument leaves his entire estate to the petitioner as his surviving spouse and unless she predeceases them makes no provision for the respondents. However, an earlier will dated 29 March 1994, left decedent’s entire estate to objectants.

A New York Wills Lawyer said the respondents have filed objections to probate alleging that: (1) the alleged will was not duly executed as required by law; (2) the propounded instrument was not freely or voluntarily made or executed by the decedent, but was procured by fraud or undue influence practiced upon the decedent by the petitioner or others acting in concert with her; and (3) on the date of the making of the instrument, decedent was not of sound mind or memory and thus incompetent to make a will.

Published on: September 2, 2013

Court Determines Legal Fees in Estate Litigation

by Stephen Bilkis

In this Estate Litigation, the decedent, died in October 1999. Her will on 1997 was admitted to probate in April 2000. Letters testamentary issued to the decedent’s son. The son died in May 2002. Following his death, successor letters testamentary issued to the administrator in June 2002.

A Nassau County Estate attorney said that under Article THIRD of her will, the decedent bequeathed her residuary estate to her surviving issue subject to trusts created under Articles FOURTH, FIFTH and SIXTH. The decedent was survived by her son, a daughter, and a granddaughter, who is the daughter of the decedent’s predeceased daughter. Pursuant to the will, the share for the decedent’s son was set apart for his benefit in trust to be administered in accordance with the provisions of Article FOURTH. Letters of trusteeship issued to the son and another as trustees of the Article FOURTH trust. Pursuant to the terms of the trust for son, the trust terminated upon the son’s death and the then principal and income became payable to his surviving issue, subject to further trusts for any such issue under the age of thirty-five.

A New York Probate Lawyer said the son was survived by two children who are under the age of 35 and, therefore, separate trusts were created for the benefit of each pursuant to Article SIXTH. Letters of trusteeship issued to the daughter as trustee of the trusts for the benefit of the son’s children.

Published on: September 1, 2013

Probate Clears up Issue of Old Loan by Decendent

by Stephen Bilkis

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

A New York Will Lawyer said that the administrator originally filed a First and Final Accounting of his proceedings covering the period May 2004 through January 2008. Thereafter, He filed a document which covers the same period covered by the First and Final Accounting. The Interim Account was verified by him nearly one year after the First and Final Account.

One of the administrator’s sibling filed objections to the accounting

Published on: August 31, 2013

Court Discusses Conflict of Creditor Acting as an Administrator

by Stephen Bilkis

In this Estate Litigation action, a creditor of the deceased filed a petition. Petitioner asks the court to issue limited letters of administration to the Public Administrator of Nassau County so that he can defend the estate against creditor’s mortgage foreclosure action against decedent’s residential real property. The petition avers that the outstanding mortgage is in the amount of $373,954.81 and that there are no other outstanding debts or funeral expenses.

A New York Probate Lawyer said that deceased died sometime in September 2007 while visiting El Salvador. According to the petition before the court, decedent was survived by his wife and two minor children, all of whom are citizens and residents of El Salvador. The petition does not contain street addresses for these non-resident distributees. The petition further reflects that decedent was also survived by one adult child, who resides in decedent’s home, which is the subject of the foreclosure action underlying this petition.

Citation issued listing the wife and the Public Administrator, and was returnable. Affidavits filed with the court indicate that the citation was served. An affirmation in support of amending the petition and dispensing with service on wife was filed by counsel on behalf of the Bank one day prior to the return date of the citation. Counsel for petitioner affirms that the daughter advised his office that the wife lives in El Salvador but that the child was unable to provide the wife’s address. Counsel avers that wife’s residency in El Salvador was confirmed by the process server’s unsuccessful attempt to serve citation on the wife at decedent’s home. Attached to counsel’s affirmation is an affidavit of due diligence that reflects that in addition to attempting to serve the wife at decedent’s last address, counsel’s staff also ran a computer search for the wife using the on-line telephone directory for El Salvador, but did not find a listing for the wife’s name. The affidavit concludes by stating that “deponent duly exhausted all efforts to obtain jurisdiction over the defendant”

Published on: August 21, 2013

Petitioner Files a Petition to Compel an Accounting

by Stephen Bilkis

Decedent, by codicil, nominated his attorney and that attorney’s accounting partner as co-executors of his estate. It was apparent from the outset of the probate proceedings that this estate was of sufficient financial magnitude as to fall within those provisions entitling each fiduciary to seek a full commission.

According to a New York Probate Lawyer, decedent died in November 1976, and permanent letters were issued by decree. The five objectants constitute decedent’s widow and four children, all of whom comprise the primary beneficiaries of this estate. Probate was accomplished without objection to the nominated fiduciaries. Decedent’s youngest issue, then an infant, was represented by a guardian ad litem. It does not appear that decedent’s three adult issue were individually represented by counsel in the probate proceedings. The fiduciaries’ administration of this estate continued without objection until the filing of their final account. This account was filed subsequent to the bringing on of a petition to compel an accounting. The examination of the schedules constituting this account indicates an administration with some complexity.

A New York Will Lawyer said the objections which the accounting parties seek to have dismissed relate to the right of the two fiduciaries to each seek a full commission. The issues relative to the co-executors’ administration of the estate and whether that administration would justify some form of reduction in their compensation is not presently before the court. More particularly, it is now claimed that the co-fiduciaries, one of whom was the attorney draftsman of the codicil containing his appointment, “negligently, unethically, improperly, and/or fraudulently” failed to inform the testator of the standards for two full commissions and that two commissions should, therefore, not be paid.

Published on: August 20, 2013

Court Decides Property Ownership in Light of Two Separate Wills

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said in an action transferred to this court from Supreme Court, Nassau County, defendant moves for an order directing the County Clerk of Nassau County to cancel a notice of pendency filed in connection with the action and for an order quieting title in the defendant and for such other relief as to the court seems just.

A Nassau County Estate lawyer said that defendant is the grandson of plaintiff, the decedent in the probate proceedings currently pending before this court. Decedent’s daughter is representing the estate in the Supreme Court action in her capacity as preliminary executor. A brief recitation of the essential allegations in the pending proceedings and the identities of the parties involved may facilitate an understanding of the court’s decision on the instant motion.

The decedent and her husband took title to the subject premises in New York by deed. The deed identifies the grantees as the spouses thus presumptively creating a tenancy by the entirety. The husband died in November 1996. A New York Will Lawyer said that assuming the validity of the tenancy by the entirety, the decedent became the sole owner of the premises upon the husband’s death.

Published on: August 19, 2013

Attorneys Fees Determined in Lengthy Probate Proceeding

by Stephen Bilkis

A New York Probate Lawyer said iIn related probate and miscellaneous proceedings regarding the estate of the decedent, before the court is a proposed stipulation of settlement resolving the issues in both proceedings. Because the interests of the decedent’s infant son may be affected by the settlement, the approval of the court is required (SCPA 2106). The guardian ad litem appointed to represent the interests of the decedent’s infant son has filed his final report wherein he recommends that the court approve the settlement and authorize him to enter into it on behalf of his ward.

A Nassau County Probate lawyer said that the probate proceeding has been pending in the court for over three years and the miscellaneous proceeding, a discovery proceeding pursuant to SCPA 2103, has been pending nearly three years. The proposed settlement will end both disputes and provides for the infant son to receive a 10% interest in the decedent’s home, valued at approximately $1.5 million. The other 90% interest will be held by the child’s mother. A New York Will Lawyer said the stipulation of settlement is approved, the court being satisfied that the interests of the infant beneficiary and the other interested parties will be promoted by an end to the current litigation. The decedent’s will shall be admitted to probate in accordance with the terms of the stipulation of settlement.

Queens Probate Attorneys said the court must also fix a reasonable fee for the services of the guardian ad litem. The court notes that the stipulation of settlement provides that the fee of the guardian ad litem will be a charge against the general estate. With respect to the issue of attorneys’ 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 is required to exercise his or her authority “with reason, proper discretion and not arbitrarily”.

Published on: August 18, 2013

Court Decides Statute of Limitation Issue

by Stephen Bilkis

The decedent died on February 7, 1946. Shortly thereafter the executrix filed with the court a petition for the probate of the decedent’s will, together with her oath and designation. Jurisdiction of all necessary parties was obtained and the proceeding was marked for decree on July 10, 1946, subject to the affidavits of subscribing witnesses. Letters testamentary were not issued at that time.

The County Attorney of advised the then petitioner (and now executrix) by letter of the existence of the, the Board of Public Welfare of Nassau County filed a notice of claim with the court. This notice was not served on the then petitioner. Nothing further was done by the petitioner to complete the proceeding until February 1965 when the matter was reactivated and the will eventually admitted to probate and letters were issued.

A New York Probate Lawyer said the petitioner herein has requested a determination that the aforementioned claim of the Board of Public Welfare of Nassau County be held invalid and unenforceable against the estate and the executrix on the grounds that the claim is barred by the six-year Statute of Limitations provided by the old section 48 of the Civil Practice Act. The section 104 of the Social Welfare Law does not authorize recovery of amounts paid by welfare boards for any period prior to ten years before decedent’s death, and thus at least that part of the claim in the amount of $2,130.57 representing payments made prior to 1938 is not recoverable. The estate was insolvent at the date of the decedent’s death because the amount of her funeral and administration expenses exceeded the value of her personal property, and the amount of mortgage liens and unpaid interest thereon exceeded the value of her real property.