Estate Administration – Do It Yourself or Not?
A common question I am asked when talking to someone about hiring us to help with estate administration after a loved one dies is whether they need the assistance of an attorney or not.  My general answer is that it depends on the specifics of the particular matter as well as
Yet Another Real Estate Problem (Part 1)
I wrote a few months ago about a real estate sale that hit a snag when it was discovered that one of the record owners had died many years ago (as well as the sole heir to that owners estate and the sole heir to the sole heir’s estate).  With our
Real Estate Tax Problem – Part 3
In this third post of three, I go back to the problem caused by the death of an owner of real estate and the subsequent deaths of the next two people who were to inherit that property. As I explained last week, A died in 1994 and her interest in
Real Estate Sale After Death (Part 2)
In my blog post last week, I told you about a number of cases in our office in which we were contacted to help with a real estate closing that was delayed at the last minute.   Shortly before the closing it was discovered that the person who signed the real estate
The Unknown (Half) Sibling – Part 2
In last week’s post I was telling you about Mary’s problem.  She had moved in with and taken care of her cousin, Sam after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.  She had given up the lease on her apartment when she agreed to the arrangement and Sam promised in return to leave her
A Simple Estate Matter? Not so Fast (Part 2)
            Last week I was telling you about Mark’s call regarding the administration of his sister, Melanie’s estate.  He had gone to the Surrogate to get appointed as administrator of the estate but had listed only 4 of 5 siblings as heirs, thinking his brother, Frank should not be listed
A Simple Estate Matter? Not so Fast
    Mark called because he needed assistance with an inheritance tax return. The attorney he had hired to assist him in selling his sister, Melanie's home was unsure how to complete it.     A little bit of background is helpful. Melanie died without a will. She had never married and had