The loss of a loved one is a difficult and challenging part of life. Amidst the grieving process, there are legal matters that must be addressed to settle the deceased person’s estate. In the state of New York, this process is known as probate and estate administration.
What is Probate and Estate Administration?
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s Last Will and Testament is declared by the court as valid and the estate assets are distributed according to the Will or state law if there is no valid will. An administrator will be appointed by the court when there is no valid Will that a deceased person left. After the appointment of a person in charge of the estate (executor or the administrator) estate administration begins. It is a process of managing and distributing a deceased person’s assets with as the Will provides or in accordance with the State law (when there is no Will). Both processes involve the appointment of an executor or administrator to oversee the estate’s affairs.
