“I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t wanna be there when it happens,” said Woody Allen.
On the matter of Wills
And how right he is. When a family member leaves this world, further than the loss of their kin, their legacy could be one fraught with legal battles, conflict, mess, and confusion, coupled with mourning.
To avoid such regrettable outcomes, one can communicate in a written document how they wish for their property (called an estate) to be divided upon death. This document is called a will.
In the absence of a will, a court will enforce the state laws pertaining to intestacy to the estate, that is to say the division of the estate when there is no will.
In New York, the estate is generally transferred first to a spouse and/or children, then to parents, and then to siblings. If no living relatives can be found to the decedent, the estate may even pass to the state.
There are several legal requirements for a will to be considered valid and enforceable, and therefore effective.
Firstly, the person making the will, the “testator,” has to be of legal age (18 years old), and intend for the legal document to be a will as defined above.
The testator must also be of “sound mind,” when he signs the document. For the courts, that means that he must be able to name the persons that will benefit from the will and understand the nature of the property that would be passed on to them.
Finally, the document itself has to be witnessed by two disinterested individuals (people who do not have a stake in the will). Albeit not mandatory, it is also recommended that a notary executes the document thereafter, as it makes the will a “self-proving instrument,”. Self proving instruments have additional protections, and such wills are more easily probated (enforced) in court.
On the matter of Trusts
After we speak of wills and estates, we should also speak about trusts. A trust is an agreement wherein the grantor (that is, the creator of the trust) gives legal rights to the trustee (that is, the person who manages the trust) for the benefit of the beneficiary (that is, the person who receives a benefit from the trust). The reason that wills and trusts go hand-in-hand is because the assets held in trust are not included in the estate. The trust assets transfer by operation of law as indicated in the trust instrument—similar to how a life insurance policy or bank accounts payable upon death give entitlement to the beneficiary named.
On the one hand, for example, when a home property is devised in a will, the will must be probated to assure validity—the common adage is, “where there is a will, there is a probate.” That simply means that the executor (that is, the person named in the will to make the distributions according to the will) will need to go to court to probate the will. Then, the executor can distribute the home asset.
On the other hand, when a home property is held in trust, the trustee is empowered to give the property to the beneficiary without court supervision. This process is similar to recording the deed and/or mortgage when buying a home. Therefore, there is a private and efficient nature in the latter transfer.
References
¹Estate, Power, and Trusts Law for the State of New York, Article 3
²In re Delmar’s Will, 243 NY 7, 14 (1926) (“The mind of testatrix as to its thinking and judging powers at the time of executing the instrument proposed for probate must be clear enough to be capable of interfering with the disposition of the estate by a prior will with some degree of judgment and discretion. The testatrix must retain sufficient active memory to collect in her mind without prompting the necessary elements of the business to be transacted and to hold them a sufficient length of time to understand their relations to each other and to form some rational judgment in relation to them.“)
³Lewis v Lewis, 11 NY 220, 225 (1854) (“the attesting witnesses must be informed at the time and by the testator, or in his presence and with his assent, and have a knowledge of all the facts necessary to a due execution and publication of the will, and to which they are called to attest.”)
There are three facts that are universally, indisputably applicable to all of us. All knowledge that a person possesses (or lack thereof) falls into three categories:
(1) Known, knowns;
(2) Known, unknowns; and
(3) Unknown, unknowns.
To explain, the first are facts, systems, methods, etc. that individually we know that we know. For instance, in your given profession or trade, such as a doctor, lawyer, plumber etc., you know what you know, and you are able to learn more depending on your specific knowledge base and experience level. A doctor knows how to diagnose X, Y, and/or Z medical conditions/illness depending on certain factual, physical symptoms; a lawyer knows the best legal, ethical (and gainful and cost-effective) recourse depending on the specific individualized facts and circumstances present—based on precedents or justifiable change in law; a plumber knows how to fix the specific tubing problems present at a given time.
Those same individuals know the limitations in their knowledge and experience base—that is, they know what they do not know, the “Known, unknowns.” For instance, the doctor knows whether he is capable diagnose outside his scope of practice; the pilot knows whether he can fly a different type of aircraft and/or helicopter; a lawyer knows whether the given facts and circumstances are beyond his skill level; and the plumber knows whether the issue is beyond plumbing.
Both of these situations are easily identified for those who practice a skill and/or trade. The scary fact is the third “Unknown, unknowns” situations.
Those are situations wherebyyou do not even know, what you do not know. To say another way, there are situations where the underlying facts are so complex and/or incomprehensible (based on unaddressed self-ignorance) that we are ignorant of the possibilities, of the potential issues, of the potential costs, expenses, and hardships involved. These are situations where we have not invested the Time, Energy, Attention, and/or Money to comprehend the situation, such as by educating ourselves on that situation. Clearly, I am a lawyer without training or education in science as required of the medical profession. If someone came to me and told me that he had a tummy ache, I would be unable to feel the belly and other physical symptoms to discern a cause. That is what a medical doctor can do. Clearly also, left untreated, the symptoms may worsen without the assistance of that professional. The obvious solution to physical pain is a doctor to “FIX IT.”
An example of that “Unknown, unknown” that is too common is when we go for an oil change for our cars in an auto shop, yet the mechanic starts to point out all the other things wrong with the car—such as that air condition filter. When we do not know any better, we must accept the assessment of that person, or reject that assessment—i.e., change the filter or not change the filter, respectively.
Now, if you know about cars in that manner, then you are aware whether there exist/s actual issue/s, and, moreover, what consequences potentially exist for inaction. Everything hinges on what you know, and your own individual abilities. What that person has invested in terms of Time, Energy, Attention, and/or Money to learn is pivotal and dispositive to his understanding and results. The only other option is what someone is willing to explain to you so that you can actually see/comprehend regarding the depth of your particular situation.
Simply, you cannot see what you do not comprehend, so the choice everyone makes (or lack thereof) is whether to ask for help (or not). Everyone. . . .
As applied in the law, there is an indispensable benefit in a Prospective Client (PC) discussing the legal (and ethical) options with an attorney, through a free, no obligation consultation. The best result, whether the PC becomes an actual client or not, is the empowerment of that individual to be able to notice the complications involved—that is, to learn from the lawyer those “Unknown, unknowns” before it is too late—so that the PC can make an informed, educated decision regarding the actions to take (or not take).
The best part of a discussion with an attorney is the powerful protections and opportunities Attorney-Client Privilege grants, allowing you to speak freely, honestly, without fear of judgment, of scorn, of humiliation, even without fear of shame. A safe-space, if you will. A space where we can reasonably and justifiably predict the future based on prior precedent. A discussion protected by privilege, whereby the courts recognize that compelled disclosure should never occur. Importantly, there are two other relationships, and thereby communications, that retain privilege too: specifically, the martial privilege and the clergy privilege.
Why do the higher powers enforce these privileges, inter alias, because there is a basic human understanding that no matter what situationwe find ourselves in, we all need those few special persons to lean on. That is what a spouse does; that is what a priest does; and that is what an attorney does—and the government recognizes that the only way to do that effectively, the persons in-need require immutable protections. Without those privileges, it is too easy to imagine a reality where speech is preemptively hampered, and there is a chilling effect on a person’s ability to speak honestly.
It is a blessing that the person is able to “tell it how it is,” and thereby embolden the attorney to recommend, advise, and/or educate regarding the available options, the favorable and unfavorable elements from each course of action, and prepare for each contingent situation, if engaged.
At Re:Yes Law PLLC, we propose solutions to difficult situations you feel are particularly unique to you. We effectively educate you, delivering information in its most digestible, understandable manner. We do not speak “like a lawyer” (unless you want us to), because we are aware that that professional verbose manifestation does nothing but confuse and shame.
At Re:Yes Law PLLC, we purposefully do not confuse or humiliate—instead, we empower you with advice™ so that you can make effective decisions.
Re:Yes Solutions
Esquires, like myself, are essentially sworn into secrecy to you as soon as we speak with you—the strongest pinky-promise, if you will. Breaches of those vows corrected (and precluded) with sanctions. Those sanctions can be as severe as threats to our Ability to Practice Law. Therefore, we take it seriously. That privilege is among a few—a few recognized “go to” people, like a spouse in marital privilege, and like someone in a confession room in priest-penitent privilege. Simply, the privilege is sacred and allows us to really, really explore your options—in a way that no one else can; so much so that it is illegal to practice law without authorization.
Again, the Attorney-Client Privilege is sacred. With that inextricable bond, you and the attorney from Re:Yes Law, will complete the following, with the Principal One & Done™ Goal Empowering You with Advice™:
(D) We will establish what you know you want to happen upon your death;
(O) We will establish what you know you do not want to happen;
(N) We will explore what you do not currently know or do not understand, for whatever reason, allowing you to find out your true desired Outcome; and, inter alias,
(E) We will empower you with advice™ to make a Definitive Decision regarding your unique Estate Plan, a Time-Warp Touchdown (see Re:Yes Law Phoenix Logo to understand the reference); or we can chat about those options.
I am the Esquire-Genie, if you allow the jest, who can grant that desired Outcome, as long as it is feasibly, legally, and ethically possible within the confines of the appropriate Laws, rules, and/or codes.
Too easy: there are systems in place, that allow us, the smartest organism on this planet, to leave behind our own specifically-developed Legacies—to offer peace of mind to you, your friends, your family, and your loved ones, empowering you from beyond the grave™.
Re:Yes Law PLLC strives, without compromise, to provide a seamless experience. The Goal: empowering you with advice™ like the re-born Phoenix, fire-breath onto an Impervious Object, the Time-Warp Football. It contains a power that has been infused by the law firm, Re:Yes Law PLLC, by the powers granted by the respective Legal Authority, to create your final actions, your final Vision, your desired Outcome.
If you have any questions or concerns, let’s chat.
Hope you enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you,
Yandy Reyes, Esq., NY Estate Planning Esquire/Attorney
Hay tres hechos que son aplicables universal e indiscutiblemente a todos nosotros. Todo el conocimiento que posee una persona (o falta de él) se divide en tres categorías:
(1) Reconocer lo que uno sabe;
(2) Reconocer lo que uno no sabe;
(3) Uno no reconoce lo que uno no sabe
Para explicar, el primero son hechos, sistemas, métodos, etc. que individualmente sabemos que sabemos. Por ejemplo, en su profesión o oficio determinado, como por ejemplo un médico, abogado, piloto, fontanero, ingeniero, artista, etc., ya saben lo que saben, y que son capaces de aprender más o menos dependiendo de su base de conocimientos y experiencia. Un médico sabe cómo diagnosticar infecciones / enfermedades médicas X, Y y/o Z dependiendo de ciertos síntomas físicos reales; un piloto sabe que puede volar en los tipos de avión X, Y y /o Z; un abogado conoce el mejor recurso legal (y ético) dependiendo de los hechos específicos individualizados y las circunstancias presentes; un plomero sabe cómo solucionar los problemas específicos de los tubos presentes en un momento dado.
Esos mismos individuos conocen las limitaciones en su base de conocimiento y experiencia, es decir, saben lo que no saben. Por ejemplo, el médico sabe si puede diagnosticar fuera de su alcance de práctica; el piloto sabe si puede volar un tipo diferente de avión y/o helicóptero; un abogado sabe si los hechos y circunstancias dados están más allá de su nivel de habilidad; y el plomero sabe si el problema va más allá de la plomería.
Ambas situaciones se identifican fácilmente para aquellos que practican una habilidad y / o comercio. El hecho que nos da más inquietud es el cual que uno no conoce lo que uno no sabe.
Estas son situaciones en las que uno no sabe lo que no sabe. Para decirlo de otra manera, hay situaciones en las que los hechos son tan complejos que ignoramos las posibilidades, posibles problemas, posibles costos, gastos y dificultades involucradas. Estas son situaciones en las que no hemos invertido el tiempo, energía, atención y/o el dinero para comprender la situación. Claramente, soy un abogado sin entrenamiento o educación en ciencias como lo requiere la profesión médica. Si alguien se me acercara y me dijera que tiene dolor de estómago, no podría evaluar los síntomas para encontrar una causa. Eso es lo que puede hacer un médico. Claramente también, si no se trata, los síntomas pueden empeorar sin la ayuda de ese profesional.
El siguiente hecho es cuando uno no reconoce lo que uno no sabe, es muy común. Cuando vamos para un cambio de aceite en un taller mecánico. Lo hacemos y, sin embargo, el mecánico comienza a señalar todas las cosas malas con el carro. Cuando no sabemos nada mejor, debemos aceptar la evaluación de esa persona, o rechazar esa evaluación, es decir, cambiar el filtro o no cambiar el filtro. Ahora, si uno sabe acerca de los carros y el mantenimiento, entonces sabe si se trata de problemas reales o no y qué consecuencias hay para la inacción.
Todo depende de lo que sabes y de tus propias habilidades individuales. Lo que hace un especialista es que invierten su tiempo, energía, atención y / o dinero para desarrollar su profesión. También importa lo que el especialista está dispuesto a explicarle a los que no saben para que ellos puedan captar y apreciar el conocimiento que ellos tienen sobre tu situación.
Tal como se aplica en la ley, existe un beneficio indispensable en un Cliente potencial (PC) que discute las opciones legales (y éticas) con un abogado a través de una consulta gratis. El mejor resultado, ya sea que la PC se convierta en un cliente real o no, es el empoderamiento de esa persona para que pueda notar las complicaciones involucradas, es decir, para obtener del abogado esas incógnitas desconocidas, para que la PC pueda hacer una decisión informada y educada sobre las acciones a tomar.
La mejor parte de una discusión con un abogado son las poderosas protecciones y oportunidades que otorga el privilegio Abogado-Cliente, que le permite hablar libremente, honestamente, sin temor al juicio, al desprecio, a la humillación, incluso sin temor a la vergüenza. Un espacio seguro, por así decirlo. Una discusión protegida por privilegios, mediante la cual los tribunales reconocen que no se divulgará obligatoriamente. Es importante destacar que hay otras dos relaciones, y por lo tanto comunicaciones, que también conservan el privilegio: específicamente, el privilegio matrimonial y el privilegio del sacerdote.
¿Por qué será que las autoridades superiores permiten estos privilegios, inter alias, ya que existe un entendimiento humano básico que no importa cuál es la situación que nos encontramos, que todos necesitamos esa persona especial en quien apoyarse. Eso es lo que hace un cónyuge; eso es lo que hace un sacerdote; y eso es lo que hace un abogado–y el gobierno reconoce que la única manera de poder hacerlo de manera eficaz, la persona en necesidad requiere protecciones. Sin esos privilegios, es demasiado fácil imaginar un mundo donde el hablar se vea obstaculizada y haya un efecto escalofriante en la capacidad de una persona para dialogar honestamente.
Es una bendición que la persona es capaz de “decir las cosas como son,” y por lo tanto consultar con un abogado para recibir recomendaciones, y/o educación con respecto a las opciones disponibles, los elementos favorables y desfavorables de cada curso de acción, y prepararse para cada situación contingente.
En Re:Yes PLLC, ofrecemos soluciones para circunstancias difíciles que a veces se sientan particularmente únicos para usted. Nosotros educamos de manera efectiva, brindándole información de la manera más digerible y comprensible. No hablamos “como un abogado” (a menos que usted lo desee), porque somos conscientes de que esa forma de hablar profesional, elocuente y verbosa no hace más que confundir. No confundimos, en cambio, le damos consejos para que pueda tomar decisiones efectivas.
Las Soluciones Re:Yes
Abogados, como yo, son esencialmente jurados en secreto tan pronto como hablamos con usted, la promesa más fuerte, con infracciones tratadas con sanciones. Esas sanciones pueden ser tan severas como las amenazas a nuestra Ley de Capacidad para Practicar. Entonces nos lo tomamos en serio. Ese privilegio se encuentra entre unos pocos: unas pocas personas reconocidas como “ir a”, como un cónyuge en privilegio matrimonial, y como alguien en una sala de confesión en el privilegio de sacerdote penitente. Simplemente, el privilegio es sagrado y nos permite explorar realmente sus opciones.
Nuevamente, el privilegio abogado-cliente es sagrado. Con ese vínculo inextricable, usted y el abogado de Re:Yes Law completarán lo siguiente, con el OBJETIVO de Empoderarlos con Consejos.
(D) Estableceremos lo que sabe lo que desea que ocurra en caso de su incapacidad y/o muerte;
(O) Estableceremos lo que sabe lo que no desea que suceda;
(N) Exploraremos lo que actualmente no sabe o no comprende, por cualquier razón, permitiéndole descubrir su verdadero Resultado deseado; y
(E) Ta vamos ha Empoderar con Consejos™ para tomar una Decisión Definitiva con Respecto a su Plan de Sucesión único (el poderoso Fútbol Time-Warp; vez, Re:Yes Law Phoenix Logo para comprender la referencia); o podemos conversar sobre esas opciones disponible a usted.
Soy el Abogado-Genio, si permite la broma, (One & Done™), quién puede otorgar ese Resultado Deseado, siempre que sea factible, legal, y éticamente posible dentro de los límites de las Leyes, reglas y/o códigos apropiados.
Demasiado fácil: hay sistemas en lugar, que nos permiten, el organismo más inteligente en este planeta, para dejar atrás nuestros propios legados desarrollados específicamente–ofrecer tranquilidad a usted, sus amigos, su familia, y sus seres queridos–y para tu beneficio sin fricción, from the comforts of your home™–por favor traducir eso, por que es importante para entender lo que yo ofrezco.
Re:Yes Law PLLC se esfuerza sin compromiso, por proporcionar una experiencia perfecta. Empoderarlos con Consejos™ Legales como el renacido Fénix, fuego-aliento sobre un Objeto Impermeable, el Fútbol Time-Warp. Contiene un poder que ha sido infundido Re:Yes Law PLLC, por los poderes otorgados por la Autoridad Legal respectiva, para crear sus acciones finales, su Visión final, su Resultado Deseado.
