Estate Planning for an Irresponsible Child: How to Protect Your Assets and Their Future

Gabriel Katzner - June 15, 2026 - Estate Planning

Key Takeaways Trusts help prevent mismanagement and provide structured support instead of lump sum inheritance. Irresponsible beneficiaries may struggle with finances, addiction, or vulnerability to exploitation. Direct inheritance risks include loss of funds, creditor exposure, and lack of long term planning. Trustees manage assets, control distributions, and must act in beneficiaries’ best interests. Spendthrift trusts […]

What Happens When Beneficiaries Disagree?

Gabriel Katzner - June 10, 2026 - Estate Planning

Key Takeaways Beneficiary disputes can delay estate administration and increase legal costs. Disputes arise from emotional attachments, unfairness perceptions, or unclear estate planning documents. Executors may delay decisions to avoid liability during beneficiary conflicts. At Katzner Law Group, one of the most common concerns we hear during probate and estate or trust administration is what […]

What Happens If No One Claims an Inheritance?

Gabriel Katzner - June 2, 2026 - Estate Planning

Key Takeaways Unclaimed inheritances remain in probate while courts attempt to locate beneficiaries. Assets transfer to the state through escheatment if no heirs are identified. An inheritance is unclaimed when a beneficiary does not receive or accept assets. Courts must make reasonable efforts to locate beneficiaries before further action. Heirs may still claim assets after […]

What Happens to Personal Belongings After Death Without a Will or Trust?

Gabriel Katzner - May 25, 2026 - Estate Planning

Key Takeaways Personal belongings are distributed under intestate succession laws without a valid will or trust. A court appoints an administrator to manage the estate through probate. Personal belongings include physical items not classified as real estate or accounts. New York intestacy prioritizes spouse, then children, then other relatives. Probate typically takes 9 to 18 […]

Holographic Wills in California: Legal Requirements and Considerations

Gabriel Katzner - May 18, 2026 - Estate Planning

At Katzner Law Group, we’ve been asked the question whether a handwritten Last Will and Testament is legally enforceable and what risks it may carry. When discussing a holographic (i.e., handwritten) will in California, it is important to understand that this type of will can be legally valid, but only if it meets specific statutory […]

When Can Someone Be Declared Legally Incompetent

Gabriel Katzner - May 13, 2026 - Estate Planning

At Katzner Law Group, families often come to us during difficult and emotional situations asking how to declare someone incompetent and what the legal process involves. In New York, declaring someone legally incompetent typically requires filing a petition for guardianship in court and presenting medical evidence showing that the person cannot manage their personal or […]

What Is an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT)?

Gabriel Katzner - May 7, 2026 - Estate Planning

At Katzner Law Group, we often work with clients who are looking for advanced estate planning strategies to reduce estate taxes while preserving wealth for future generations. One of the most powerful tools available for high net worth families is the intentionally defective grantor trust, commonly referred to as an IDGT. An intentionally defective grantor […]

Who Pays Legal Costs When Contesting a Will?

Gabriel Katzner - April 30, 2026 - Estate Planning

At Katzner Law Group, one of the most frequently asked questions from clients considering challenging a will is: “Who pays the legal fees if I contest the will?” The answer depends on many factors, including the merits of the case, the court’s discretion, and the specific circumstances of the estate. Contesting a will can be […]

How to Make a Will in NY

Gabriel Katzner - April 28, 2026 - Estate Planning

At Katzner Law Group, one of the most common questions we hear is simple but important: how to make a Last Will and Testament in NY? Creating a legally valid will in New York requires meeting specific state requirements, properly signing the document, and clearly outlining how you want your assets distributed. When done correctly, […]

Celebrities Who Included Their Pets in Their Will

Gabriel Katzner - April 24, 2026 - Estate Planning

At Katzner Law Group, we often hear clients ask whether it is possible to leave money or property to a beloved pet. The idea may sound unusual at first, but many famous celebrities who left assets in their will to their pets have helped bring attention to this estate planning strategy. Through carefully structured trusts, […]

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