The $255 Social Security Death Benefit: Who Qualifies and How to Claim It
The $255 Social Security lump-sum death benefit — who qualifies, how to apply, what happens if no eligible survivor exists, and how it fits into estate settlement.
All articles about When Someone Dies in New York — Estate Settlement Guide.
The $255 Social Security lump-sum death benefit — who qualifies, how to apply, what happens if no eligible survivor exists, and how it fits into estate settlement.
Explore cost-effective alternatives to hiring a New York probate attorney — from Voluntary Administration to estate settlement guides and legal unbundling.
First-time executor in New York? Find the best guide for navigating Surrogate's Court, creditor rules, co-ops, and the seven-month creditor window.
Named executor for a New York estate but live out of state? Learn what New York requires from remote executors — Surrogate's Court, co-ops, and NYSCEF.
How to contest a will in New York Surrogate's Court — valid grounds, how to file an objection, what discovery looks like, and why most will contests fail.
New York executor commissions are set by statute — a sliding percentage of the estate's value. How to calculate what you're owed, and when to waive the fee.
New York's Health Care Proxy is the primary advance directive. New York has no statutory living will form — here's how both documents work and why you need them both.
New York probate takes 7–24 months for full estates. Voluntary Administration can close in weeks. Real timelines by county, and the mandatory milestones you cannot speed up.
Step-by-step guide to settling a New York estate without a lawyer. Covers Voluntary Administration, non-probate assets, creditor rules, and key forms.
How to obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration in New York Surrogate's Court — what they are, how to apply, and what banks and agencies require.
New York Medicaid estate recovery targets only probate assets. Non-probate assets — trusts, joint accounts — are currently shielded. Deferrals, hardship waivers, and how to respond.
Order a death certificate in New York — NYC uses VitalChek ($15 + $9.30 fee), NYS charges $30. How many copies to get, who can order, and what pending means.
Compare a New York estate settlement guide against hiring a probate attorney. Learn which approach fits your estate size, timeline, and budget.
New York estate tax rates, the 2026 exemption of $7.35M, and how the cliff can wipe out the exclusion entirely. What executors need to know before filing Form ET-706.
New York intestate succession rules under EPTL 4-1.1 — who inherits when there's no will, how much each heir receives, and how the Surrogate's Court determines heirs.
Use New York's Voluntary Administration process to settle a small estate without full probate. How the $50,000 limit works, what Form SE-3A requires, and what it cannot do.
New York will requirements under EPTL 3-2.1 — signature, witnesses, age, and capacity. Holographic wills, military wills, and what happens when a will is contested.
How to file in New York Surrogate's Court — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Nassau, Queens, and upstate. Forms, fees, e-filing rules, and what to expect county by county.