Probate & Estate Administration

Probate occurs after death and entails the recognition of an individual's last will and testament.  In the event that no will exists, a proceeding to appoint a fiduciary for the estate must be commenced. Estate administration is the collection of assets, payment of debts, and ultimate transfer or disposition of assets. To implement this process, our attorneys and staff specialists work closely with fiduciaries (executors or administrators appointed in the will or by the Surrogate's Court) to handle all of the estate and fiduciary's needs, including the transfer of assets, handling of claims, processing of insurance, preparation of tax filings and representation in the event of audit.

Our estate administration group is fully computerized and uses estate tax software programs to prepare estate and fiduciary tax returns, accountings and related calculations