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Suffolk County Will Contest

Suffolk County Lawyer for Will Contests

Located on the eastern side of Long Island, Suffolk County is the fourth most populous county in New York. It is geographically the largest county in Long Island, covering an area of 2373 square miles and roughly 1,525,920 call it home. Around 26.10% of the population is under age 18, while young people between ages 18-24 make up just 7.60% of the county. The largest demographic age-wise is people from ages 25-44 who make up 21.20% of the population. The median age in this county is 36 years. Regardless of age, however, it is wise to make a valid will, and to retain counsel to help with estate planning and execution of legal instruments. However, there is no guarantee that heirs or other interested parties will accept the terms of a will. Whether you need to challenge or defend a will, you should consult trustworthy Suffolk County will contest lawyer Jules M. Haas. He provides legal representation to those involved in will contests as proponents, executors, or challengers of a decedent’s will.

Suffolk County Will Contest

Will contests are one type of estate litigation. These proceedings revolve around a contest of a decedent’s last will and testament by those who have standing to do so, and they can involve heightened emotions, alongside highly specific requirements. Generally, those with a pecuniary interest in a decedent’s will are able to bring a will contest. For example, if you would have received a greater share of an estate had there been no will and the estate were to be distributed according to New York’s rules of intestacy, you may be able to pursue a will contest. You should call us about your situation if you believe there were improprieties in the making of the will, or someone else alleges there were.

How to Contest a Will in Suffolk County

If you have standing to contest a will, or believe you do, and you also have grounds to do so, you can file a will contest in Surrogate’s Court. It is wise to retain an attorney to represent you up to and through the legal proceeding because there are both technical and substantive requirements involved, and there can be dramatic consequences to decisions made with regard to them.

While people of any age should consider making a will, the person who is making the legal instrument must have “testamentary capacity” to do so. This term refers to: (1) the ability to understand what the will means and its consequences, (2) knowledge of what one’s property is and how much of it there is, and (3) the ability to understand who would normally be the recipients of items that make up one’s estate.

Our Suffolk County attorneys work hard to build strong cases for clients. Pertinent evidence we may gather in connection with a will contest includes testimony from witnesses, particularly those who spent time with the testator at the time the will was made, testimony from the testator’s doctor when there is an allegation of undue influence or lack of testamentary capacity.

Grounds for a Will Contest

Grounds to challenge a will in New York include improper execution, revocation, improper influence, lack of testamentary capacity, and fraud. For example, our lawyers may be able to file a will contest on your behalf if your dad suffered from dementia at the time he made his second will, and you believe that the terms of the first will, not the second represent his wishes. For another example, a testator, or person who makes a will, must follow certain formalities, such as having witnesses. A will contest could be filed in connection with your spouse’s will if these formalities were not followed, and the terms of the will are, therefore, invalid.

Consult a Seasoned Suffolk County Will Contest Lawyer

Will contests allow those who challenge a will on a legitimate basis to invalidate a portion or all of a will. This can result in items from the estate passing along according to an earlier plan, or according to the rules of intestacy. Often these matters are emotionally fraught, calling up old problems within a family or among a decedent’s loved ones, and require sensitivity to the specific dynamics. Call Suffolk County will contest lawyer Jules M. Haas if you need to bring a will contest—or defend against one. With more than 40 years of experience, Mr. Haas can offer knowledgeable professional guidance to seek the best possible outcome. Contact us through our online form or at (212) 355-2575. We provide clients with representation and reasonable and flexible fee arrangements.

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