Law Office of William G. Goode

Law Office of William G. Goode An elder law and estate planning law firm in Hampton Bays, New York

Updating an Estate Plan After Divorce in New YorkA divorce changes a family structure, but it does not automatically cle...
06/05/2026

Updating an Estate Plan After Divorce in New York

A divorce changes a family structure, but it does not automatically clean up every estate planning document, beneficiary designation, fiduciary appointment, or jointly held asset. Many people assume that once a judgment of divorce is entered, their former spouse is completely removed from all estate-related documents. In New York, that assumption is partly correct and partly dangerous. New York law does revoke certain dispositions and appointments in favor of a former spouse after divorce....

A divorce changes a family structure, but it does not automatically clean up every estate planning document, beneficiary designation, fiduciary appointment, or jointly held asset. Many people assume that once a judgment of divorce is entered, their former spouse is completely removed from all estate...

What Is a Fiduciary Turnover Proceeding Under SCPA 2103?One of the most frustrating situations an executor or administra...
06/04/2026

What Is a Fiduciary Turnover Proceeding Under SCPA 2103?

One of the most frustrating situations an executor or administrator can encounter is the belief that estate assets exist but cannot be located, accessed, or recovered. Sometimes the issue involves a family member who was managing finances before death. In other cases, property was transferred shortly before death under circumstances that raise questions. Occasionally, the fiduciary simply lacks enough information to determine what happened to an asset....

One of the most frustrating situations an executor or administrator can encounter is the belief that estate assets exist but cannot be located, accessed, or recovered. Sometimes the issue involves a family member who was managing finances before death. In other cases, property was transferred shortl...

What Happens If You Cannot Locate the Original Will in New York?A family member dies, and everyone knows that a will was...
06/02/2026

What Happens If You Cannot Locate the Original Will in New York?

A family member dies, and everyone knows that a will was signed. The decedent discussed it with relatives, named an executor, and may even have provided copies to family members or advisors. Yet when the time comes to begin probate, the original signed document cannot be located. This situation is more common than many people realize. Original wills may be misplaced during a move, destroyed accidentally, stored in an unknown location, or retained by a professional whose office records are incomplete....

A family member dies, and everyone knows that a will was signed. The decedent discussed it with relatives, named an executor, and may even have provided copies to family members or advisors. Yet when the time comes to begin probate, the original signed document cannot be located. This situation is m...

Can Beneficiary Designations Override a New York Will?A common estate planning mistake is assuming that a will controls ...
06/01/2026

Can Beneficiary Designations Override a New York Will?

A common estate planning mistake is assuming that a will controls everything a person owns at death. In many New York estates, that is not true. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, payable-on-death accounts, transfer-on-death registrations, and jointly held accounts may pass outside the will by operation of contract, account form, or beneficiary designation. This can produce results that surprise a family....

A common estate planning mistake is assuming that a will controls everything a person owns at death. In many New York estates, that is not true. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, payable-on-death accounts, transfer-on-death registrations, and jointly held accounts may pass out...

What Happens If Someone Dies With an Unsigned or Improperly Executed Will in New York?One of the more difficult situatio...
05/28/2026

What Happens If Someone Dies With an Unsigned or Improperly Executed Will in New York?

One of the more difficult situations in estate administration occurs when family members discover a document that appears to be a will, but questions immediately arise regarding whether it was properly signed or legally executed. Sometimes the document is entirely unsigned. In other situations, the decedent may have signed the document but failed to complete all required formalities. Families are often surprised to learn that even minor ex*****on problems can create major probate disputes in New York Surrogate's Court....

One of the more difficult situations in estate administration occurs when family members discover a document that appears to be a will, but questions immediately arise regarding whether it was properly signed or legally executed. Sometimes the document is entirely unsigned. In other situations, the....

Can a Will Be Contested in New York Because of Undue Influence?One of the most emotionally charged disputes in Surrogate...
05/27/2026

Can a Will Be Contested in New York Because of Undue Influence?

One of the most emotionally charged disputes in Surrogate's Court involves allegations that a will does not truly reflect the decedent's wishes. Family members are often shocked to learn that a parent, spouse, or relative signed a new will shortly before death that dramatically changed beneficiaries, disinherited close relatives, or favored a caregiver, companion, or one particular child. In some cases, these changes are entirely legitimate....

One of the most emotionally charged disputes in Surrogate’s Court involves allegations that a will does not truly reflect the decedent’s wishes. Family members are often shocked to learn that a parent, spouse, or relative signed a new will shortly before death that dramatically changed beneficia...

What Is a Citation in New York Surrogate’s Court?Many people first learn they are involved in an estate proceeding when ...
05/26/2026

What Is a Citation in New York Surrogate’s Court?

Many people first learn they are involved in an estate proceeding when they receive a legal document called a citation from the Surrogate's Court. The document may arrive by certified mail, personal service, or another authorized method, and recipients are often unsure what it means or whether they need to respond. In New York estate proceedings, a citation is an important court-issued notice....

Many people first learn they are involved in an estate proceeding when they receive a legal document called a citation from the Surrogate’s Court. The document may arrive by certified mail, personal service, or another authorized method, and recipients are often unsure what it means or whether the...

What Is a Kinship Proceeding in New York Surrogate’s Court?When a person dies without a will in New York, the estate gen...
05/21/2026

What Is a Kinship Proceeding in New York Surrogate’s Court?

When a person dies without a will in New York, the estate generally passes to surviving family members under New York intestacy law. In some estates, identifying the proper heirs is straightforward. In others, the Surrogate's Court may require proof regarding the decedent's family tree before estate assets can be distributed. This type of matter is commonly known as a kinship proceeding....

When a person dies without a will in New York, the estate generally passes to surviving family members under New York intestacy law. In some estates, identifying the proper heirs is straightforward. In others, the Surrogate’s Court may require proof regarding the decedent’s family tree before es...

Objecting to a Will in New York: What Families Should Know About Contested ProbateWhen a will is offered for probate in ...
05/15/2026

Objecting to a Will in New York: What Families Should Know About Contested Probate

When a will is offered for probate in New York, family members do not always agree that the document should be accepted by the Surrogate's Court. Sometimes the dispute is emotional. Sometimes it is financial. Sometimes there are serious concerns about whether the will was properly signed, whether the person understood what he or she was doing, or whether someone pressured the decedent into changing the estate plan....

Learn how will contests work in New York Surrogate's Court, including objections to probate, SCPA 1404 examinations, undue influence, capacity, and due ex*****on.

Can an Executor or Administrator Be Removed in New York Surrogate’s Court?When someone is appointed to handle an estate,...
05/14/2026

Can an Executor or Administrator Be Removed in New York Surrogate’s Court?

When someone is appointed to handle an estate, the Surrogate's Court gives that person legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. If there is a will, that person is usually called the executor. If there is no will, the person appointed by the court is usually called the administrator. In either case, the fiduciary has serious legal responsibilities. The New York court system describes a fiduciary's estate duties as including collecting, inventorying, and appraising estate assets; paying bills, taxes, estate expenses, and creditors; and transferring property according to the will or, if there is no will, according to law....

When someone is appointed to handle an estate, the Surrogate’s Court gives that person legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. If there is a will, that person is usually called the executor. If there is no will, the person appointed by the court is usually called the administrator. In eith...

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36 Good Ground Road
Hampton Bays, NY
11946

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