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Estate Administration

Settling an Estate Can be Anything but Simple, so Comprehensive Estate Administration Services are Essential

Estate AdministrationAs a New York City estate administration lawyer, I understand that settling an estate can be anything but simple. My Estate Administration Services are designed to ensure the efficient processing of an estate with special attention paid to working closely with clients.

Estate settlement is comprised of different aspects.  In its simplest form, there are three (3) basic functions to be performed by a fiduciary such as an Executor and Administrator.  These functions are: (i) collecting or marshaling estate assets, (ii) paying debts, expenses and taxes; and (iii) making a distribution of the net estate to the proper beneficiaries.  While these functions may appear rather routine, each can be quite difficult.  For example, closing a decedent's bank account and depositing the funds into an Estate Bank Account may not be complicated.  However, problems may arise where the decedent's account was improperly closed prior to death by someone who had access to the account with a Power of Attorney. It is the duty of the Executor or Administrator to attempt to obtain these funds from the wrongdoer for the benefit of the decedent's estate.  The Surrogate's Court Procedure Act contains provisions allowing for Turn Over Proceedings that can be use by a fiduciary to obtain assets that rightfully belong to a decedent. 

Another situation that may present complications may involve a debt that someone claims the decedent owes but the claim is not verifiable.  The estate fiduciary would need to oppose the claim to protect the estate's interests.  This could result in Estate Litigation.  An estate administration lawyer in New York City can help you try to avoid this outcome.

Making distributions of estate assets to beneficiaries may be complicated when the beneficiaries do not agree as to the amounts they are to receive.  Beneficiaries may dispute the actions taken by the estate fiduciary and claim that the fiduciary did not perform his duties in a proper manner.  Such claims or objections are typically presented in an Estate Accounting Proceeding in which the fiduciary will present a full financial accounting of all transactions that took place during the course of the Estate Administration.  The beneficiaries will have a right to review all of the transactions as well as all of the bank statements and other papers used to prepare the Accounting.  The services of a qualified Estate Fiduciary Accountant and New York Estate Lawyer are helpful to all of the parties in these Accounting Proceedings which take place in the New York Surrogate's Courts.

Another issue that may arise in an accounting proceeding concerns determining the decedent's next of kin.  The Court may require that a Kinship Hearing be held.  This is typically the procedure needed in cousin cases or where the decedent's closest distributees appear to be cousins or more distant relatives.

As a New York City estate administration attorney, I have represented many clients in New York Surrogate's Court proceedings involving the probate of wills or intestate administration.  My Estate Administration Services have been utilized by many executors and administrators whom I have helped with collecting estate assets, paying debts, expenses and taxes, preparing estate tax returns, preparing accountings and distributing estate assets to beneficiaries.  I have helped clients for over 30 years with Estate Administration Services throughout New York City (Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan) and also Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties.

I opened my law practice in 1985 and provide my clients with personal and attentive service.

For a free case evaluation you can contact me by telephone (212) 355-2575, fax (212) 751-5911 or e-mail for your appointment with an estate administration attorney in New York City.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I am very grateful to Mr. Jules Martin Haas attorney of law in New York. I am from Buenos Aires Argentina. He managed with expertise a very difficult situation. of a complicate heritage from my aunt Anna Grodzka that lived and died a very long time ago in New York. I recommend him not only for his extraordinary knowledge but also for his kindness. Irma CW Peusner
★★★★★
I found Mr. Haas after being misguided by a former attorney. Mr. Jules Haas took our case which involved an estate/trust dispute. What initially seemed like an impossible and overwhelming legal fight was now in the hands of someone who had the integrity and legal expertise to win our case. Mr Haas' attention to detail and his expert knowledge base, skillfully and successfully guided us through an intricate legal process. I am very thankful and grateful to Mr. Jules Haas for representing our interest and ultimately winning. Bringing about a peace of mind we needed. Thank You Devida Nedd
★★★★★
I was in need of a guardianship attorney and I hired the services of Jules M. Haas' Law firm. The service of counselor Haas and his staff, was very profesional and the case was handled in a timely matter. I would strongly recommend his services Angel Guevara
★★★★★
I strongly recommend Jules Haas. I have worked with him for two years and he has provided so much support and followed through with everything he promised he would do. His support staff is just as helpful! We had an interesting case and he helped to solve each part of it legally and was very thorough. Thank you for everything you have done to finalize our families estate Robyn Stafford
★★★★★
Jules Haas helped me with managing the process in probate court for my father's estate through to its completion upon the sale of my father's house. He was knowledgeable, efficient, and effective in submitting documentation to the probate court, explaining procedures to me, and advising me as to the progress of my case. His support staff was also very helpful. He made what for me created so much anxiety into something manageable where I could see progress every step of the way. His fees were very reasonable. I am super grateful to him for all the help he has provided and strongly recommend his services. Diana Janer
★★★★★
I just completed an estate transaction where Jules Haas represented my client in an estate and he did a great job! He was very quick at responding to all matters throughout the sale process, he was detailed, he was knowledgeable and he was a pleasure to work with. I just recommended him to some new clients who are going through an estate matter and will continue to recommend him. Rodolfo Lucchese