Attentive and Dedicated Long Island Lawyer

Call Long Island, New York attorney Bonnie Peters-Lawston 24 hours a day.
Toll Free Office Number: (877) 581-8498 | 631-425-7299.
Two offices: Ridge, New York and Huntington Station, NY

A large portion of our clients live out of the state, they live and serve as executors and administrators from Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, California, Ohio, New Jersey, Carolinas, Virginia all over the United States. 

If your loved one passed away in New York State, or if your loved one had assets based in New York and you reside in another state, then our law firm can assist you with your legal matters. Please call our toll free number at (877) 581-8498.

If your case qualifies, contingency retainers can be offered and payment can be deferred.

Our office is experienced in all aspects of probate & estate administration . We provide support and services in:

• Contesting the will
• Probating the will and administering the estate
• Estate administration
• Removing an executor or administrator
• Admitting the Will to probate
• Administering trusts and many other related matters.

We will advise your family as to what is needed, prepare all the papers and file them with the Surrogate's Court. If there are any claims or law suits that need to be commenced, we can do that as well. Our office will assist you or your loved ones in collecting the assets, paying the bills, claims of the estate and the final distribution among the family according to the Will or New York State Law.

If you reside outside of New York, and cannot come to our office, the Law offices of Bonnie Lawston-Peters will prepare and email or mail the proper Estate and Administration papers to you for review and signature. Many of our clients reside in Florida and all over the country and have loved ones that have passed away in New York. They need assistance collecting the assets and making the distribution.

If you have an offer on the property through the estate, we can make an application for Preliminary Letters or a court order allowing you to enter into the contract of sale so you do not lose the sale.

Contact a Long Island attorney that keeps your best interests in mind throughout the entirety of your matter. We offer a free in-home consultation and senior citizen discounts on our services. Let us help you assess your legal situation today.

Probate FAQ's

What is probate?

Probate is a court process of proving the validity of a Will, transferring property and settling the affairs of the deceased's estate. If there is no Will, a similar process known as Administration is used to settle the deceased's affairs. For example, the loved ones left behind must either file a Probate proceeding (if there is a Will) or an Administration proceeding in order to sell a house or real property.

What is the purpose of Probate?

Probate is the legal avenue to establish clear title to, or ownership of assets. Upon one's death, before title can pass, all potential heirs and others must be eliminated. This process is known as probate.

When should probate be started?

Probate should start as soon as possible following the person's death. There are states such as Nevada that require the Will or process be commenced within 30 days of the death.

Can I be the Executor for my relative's Estate if I do not live in New York?

Absolutely! As your attorney, we will assist you in preparing the application to the Court and filing it. You will be treated the same as any Executor, a resident of New York or not. It does not matter. However, you will need an attorney to assist you with the papers, administration of the Estate, collection of the assets and the distribution.

How do I get started?

Contact our office first for a free consultation. We will discuss with you the process and what is needed. We will help you collect the assets and at the appropriate time, help you make the proper distribution among the heirs of the estate and a final accounting that is filed with the Court. We will prepare the tax returns for the Estate, obtain a tax identification number for the Estate and help you sell any real estate, stock or other assets of the Estate.

Since many of our clients are out of state and not residents of New York, we often communicate with them via e-mail and telephone and they have little to do. It can be an easy process. It's not easy after the loss of a loved one, but the probate or administration process does not have to be the same. Let us help you with the process and make your life a little more stress free.

How do I pay my Lawyer for this?

This is an expense that is usually paid through the Estate. You may choose an hourly rate, percentage or other arrangement which is determined on a case by case basis. In the past, we have been able to offer contingency retainers if the Estate meets certain criteria. Remember, as the executor you are entitled to a commission fee for the time you spend. That is based on a percentage set forth in the Surrogate's Court Procedure Law. Our clients have received commissions as high as $55,000.00 for serving as an executor.

Once the fee arrangement is agreed upon with the attorney, then the attorney will look at the Estate's assets to determine how the filing fees.

Can I be the Executor, Administrator or the Trustee for the Estate even if I cannot afford the legal fees?

If you do not have the money to pay the attorney in the beginning and you meet certain criteria, the legal fee can be paid at the end out of the Estate's assets.

How long does the Probate or Administration process normally take?

In a routine probate proceeding, you can expect it to take as little as four (4) weeks. However, probate and estate administration often takes much longer if complications arise.

What do I do if my loved one died without a Will?

We can help you. We will prepare the necessary forms for an administration proceeding. A relative, such as yourself, would be appointed as the administrator of the Estate. Then, New York State law would determine based upon the family relation who would inherit the Estate and what portion thereof. We can explain this process further to you during an initial consultation.

Is the executor liable for the estate personally?

No. Not unless you wrongfully take the Estate's money and do not make the distribution according to the Will or New York State Intestacy Law.

Contact a Long Island attorney that keeps your best interests in mind throughout the entirety of your matter. We offer a free in-home consultation and senior citizen discounts on our services. Let us help you assess your legal situation today.

Law Offices of Bonnie Peters-Lawston
PO Box 317, Ridge, NY 11961
Toll Free: (877) 581-8498
Fax: (866) 431-0045
E-mail

Second Location:
Phone: (631) 425-7299
No Mail Accepted Here
1841 New York Avenue
Huntington Station, New York 11746

The Law Offices of Bonnie Peters-Lawston represents clients in various Estate & Probate Administration matters. The firm is located on Long Island in New York and handles clients throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Westchester as well as Rockland County. Some of the communities we serve are the following, but not limited to: Huntington Station, Syosset, Woodbury, Oyster Bay, Huntington, Dix Hills, Commack, Northport, Brookville, Wheatley, Stony Brook, and Miller Place, Wading River, Ridge, Southampton, Eastern Long Island, Middle Island, Quogue, Cutchogue, Mattituck. Garden City, Glen Cove, Seaford, Brookville, Westbury, Massapequa, Valley Stream, Roslyn, Glendale, Forest Hills, Bayside, Syosset, Whitestone, Commack, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Bayville, Muttontown, Laurel Hollow, Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington Bay, Pt. Jefferson, Seldon, Stony Brook, A large portion of our clients live out of the state, they live and serve as executors and administrators from Florida, Nevada, Wisconsin, California, Ohio, New Jersey, Carolinas, Virginia all over the United States.