Whether we like it or not, death is inevitable. Losing a loved one is a reality of life which all of us will face at some point in our lifetimes. It is heart-breaking, devastating, and never easy. Moreover, after the funeral and a grieving period, we will have to take care of certain matters in connection with the estate of our loved one, which, in itself, can be stressful, depressing, hectic and exhausting.

The Law Office of Olga Ruh, PLLC will work with you during this sensitive time and, based upon your specific needs, provide you with the following services:

Probate and Administration

  • Commence a probate proceeding if the Decedent died with a Will (i.e., acceptance of the Will by the Surrogate’s Court as a valid document) and secure the appointment of an Executor of the Will.
  • Commence an Administration proceeding of the Decedent who died without a Will (“intestate”) and secure the appointment of an Administrator of the Estate.
  • Assist the Executors and Administrators with estate administration (marshaling the estate assets, paying debts and satisfying the Decedent’s liabilities, distributing assets to the beneficiaries, if there is a Will, or, if there is no Will, to the heirs designated by the New York intestacy law).
  • Prepare Executor’s and Administrator’s Accountings.
  • Prepare and serve Receipt, Release, and Refunding Agreements upon the beneficiaries and heirs.

Trust Administration

  • Trust Accounting.
  • Trust Decanting.
  • Termination of Trust.

Estate/Trust Litigation

  • Will or Trust Contest.
  • Contested Estate and/or Trust Accountings.
  • Removal of the Executor or the Administrator of the Estate, or the Trustee of a Trust.
  • Turnover Proceeding (to return the property to the estate which has been removed from the estate or unlawfully held by a third party).
  • Rights of the Spouses in the Wills.
  • Kinship Proceeding (to question or establish the inheritance rights of more distant relatives).
  • Will or Trust Construction Proceedings to clarify ambiguity in a Will or Trust.
  • Establish the Validity of a Creditor’s Claim that the Decedent owed money.