The Elder Law Minute™ By Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. and Yan Lian Kuang-Maoga, Esq. Many individuals don’t quite understand what the term “probate” means, but they have a notion that “probate” is something that they should avoid. Avoiding probate is not always a good idea depending on the circumstances of the matter. Probate is the legal process by which assets of a deceased individual are distributed either according to his or her Last Will and Testament, or by state law if there is no Will (an “administration” proceeding). When a person dies, his or her assets must be separated into two categories: Non-probate: Non-probate assets are any assets for which the inheritors have been specifically named. Some examples are accounts with beneficiary designations, in-trust-for accounts, Totten trusts, or joint assets with the right of survivorship. Probate: all other assets in the name of the deceased. Non-probate assets will pass to the named beneficiary or joint owner by operation of law, and therefore, the Will will have no relevance and will not control those assets. The probate process is only necessary when probate assets are left solely in the name of PROBATE 101 ROnald the deceased without a beneficiary designation. Even then, provided the total value of the assets is minimal and the identity of the heirs can be established, an affidavit may be sufficient to get the assets distributed to the heirs. When a person dies without a Will, his or her probate assets go through an “administration proceeding.” When a person dies with a Will, the probate assets go through a “probate proceeding.” An administration proceeding is the process by which an heir of the deceased person will petition to the Surrogate’s Court to become the administrator of the estate of the deceased. The individual who may seek to become the administrator is determined by law and starts with the decedent’s spouse, then any of his or her children if there is no spouse, and so forth. If approved by the Surrogate, the administrator will be issued “letters of administration” as proof of his or her authority to handle the estate of the decedent. The administrator is often required to file a bond as a condition of being appointed. Once appointed, the administrator is responsible for getting an employee identification number (EIN) for the estate, opening an estate account, locating and collecting all estate assets, paying debts and income and estate taxes if any, and then distributing the remaining assets according to a list provided under state statute. For example, if the decedent is survived by a spouse but no children, the spouse will get all of the assets. However, if the decedent is survived by a spouse and children, the spouse will get first $50,000 and the remainder will be divided and distributed 50% to the spouse and 50% to the children. A probate proceeding is the process by which a deceased person’s Last Will and Testament (“Will”) is proven to the Surrogate’s Court to be valid, after which the terms of the will are legally enforceable. The process entails the following: Filing the original Will with a verified petition for letters of testamentary to the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the deceased person was domiciled; Providing notice to any and all individuals who would inherit from the deceased if there was no Will. This gives those individuals an opportunity to file objections as to why the Will is not valid and/or why the nominated executor should not be authorized to carry out the instructions of the Will; Once the nominated executor is appointed, he or she will receive “letters of testamentary” as proof of his or her authority to handle the estate of the ELDER LAW Fatoulah, ESQ, CELA* deceased; The executor is then responsible for getting an employee identification number (EIN) for the estate, opening an estate account, locating and collecting all estate assets, paying debts and income and estate taxes, if any, and then distributing the remaining assets according to the decedent’s Will. For individuals with assets in another state, an administration or probate proceeding may have to be initiated in the other state (an “ancillary probate”) as well as in New York. The best way to avoid probate is to have all assets held by a living trust, whether revocable or irrevocable. Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. is the principal of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, a law firm that exclusively concentrates in elder law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianships, estate administration, trusts and wills. The firm has offices in Forest Hills, Great Neck, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Cedarhurst, NY. This article was written with the assistance of Yan Lian Kuang-Maoga, an elder law attorney with the firm. Ronald Fatoullah & Associates can be reached by calling (718) 261-1700, 516- 466-4422, or toll free at 1-877-ELDERLAW or 1-877-ESTATES. 26 North Shore Towers Courier n July 2013 PLAN. PROTECT. PRESERVE ESTATE WARS Feuding over the Family Fortune Conflicts over inheritance and the family fortune are often the final straw that tears a family apart. When dividing up a small or large estate, emotions among family members can run high. Sisters may stop talking to each other, brothers almost come to blows. What is it about dividing the family estate that brings such raw feelings to the surface? What steps can be taken to avoid a family feud? At Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, we like to find resolutions without confrontation. We believe in trying to settle family squabbles and prevent family ruptures through proper planning or estate mediation. For families who are in a state of “estate conflict,” Mediation is less costly and less stressful than probate litigation or will and trust contests. Our attorneys are compassionate, committed and accomplished in the areas of elder law, trusts & estates and estate mediation. Our firm has helped hundreds families navigate fair, just and amicable solutions to dividing, distributing and transferring family wealth. 1-877- ELdER LAW 1-877-ESTATES Queens • Long Island • Manhattan • Brooklyn ATTORNEy AdVERTiSiNg
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