As they begin planning how to dispose of their assets after they die, New York residents may be wondering if a will or a trust is the best way to go. Some trusts can ease the tax liability and may make it easier to settle an estate, since probate is avoided. If New...

When New York residents establish a trust, they usually have good reasons to do so. Trusts exist to ensure that the settlor's wishes are respected. Some settlors want to avoid probate, while others are concerned that their heirs would not handle a lump sum inheritance...

For some New York residents, a trust may be preferable to a will that has to go through probate when an individual passes away. Those who have a trust will name one or more people to oversee its administration. In addition to naming one or more trustees, it may be...

n some cases in New York, people might worry that their wishes will not be honored by their family members after they die. When a person dies, leaving a spouse behind, his or her assets will normally pass to the spouse. The person might be concerned about making sure...

Over 50 percent of American adults do not have estate plans, and those lacking this preparation may inadvertently create a very tangled and painful situation for surviving family members. Surprisingly, even those who do have estate planning documents can trigger the...