SCPA § 707 sets forth a list of ineligibles – those persons automatically disqualified from serving as a fiduciary in Surrogate’s Court. The statute is clear: felons cannot serve. It does not matter when the felony occurred, the age of the offender at the time, or the type of crime committed. All felons have been […]
The order of the witnesses’ testimony is ordinarily not known prior to the hearing. Thus, the subscribing witness is well advised to prepare for his testimony in advance of the hearing. When the hearing is scheduled, the witness should be provided with a copy of the self-proving affidavit and a copy of the will. The […]
LOCATE THE ESTATE PLANNING FILE Many experienced estate planning attorneys assert that estate planning files of law firms should not be purged or destroyed. They often agree that destruction or purging of planning files is only allowable after the estate is closed. Additional factors to consider are expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for […]
The 1404 exam is often described by legal commentators as a classic fishing expedition. There is no doubt that the law affords a lot of latitude in favor of the examining party to allow a thorough and probing examination of the drafting attorney. A drafting attorney facing such an examination under oath in the courtroom […]
As explained previously, you need to be familiar with the rules of procedure to successfully play the litigation game in Surrogate’s Court. The rules can be much more complex than those applicable in the Supreme Court. As a prime example of this, consider the rules governing discovery in Surrogate’s Court. To understand them, you need […]
Is it fair for a parent to take an intestate share of a deceased child’s estate when that parent abandoned the child? The New York legislature says no. Pursuant to EPTL 4-1.4(a)(1), a parent is disqualified from taking an intestate share of a child’s estate on the ground of abandonment or nonsupport. Originally, EPTL 4-1.4(a) […]