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New York

NY · 10 guides

Planning ahead

End-of-Life Planning Checklist for New York Residents

New York end-of-life planning checklist: health care proxy, living will, statutory short form POA, MOLST, beneficiary designations, and NY estate tax rules.

8 min read
Estate tax

Estate and Inheritance Tax in New York 2026

New York has a state estate tax with a dangerous 105% cliff. 2026 exclusion is $7.35M. No inheritance tax. Rates, cliff examples, and planning strategies.

9 min read
Executor duties

Executor Duties and Timeline in New York

What a New York executor must do: Surrogate's Court appointment, creditor notice, tax filing, commissions, and distribution under SCPA and EPTL.

8 min read
Funeral laws

Funeral and Burial Laws in New York

New York funeral and burial laws: disposition authority, cremation rules, green burial, human composting, embalming rules, and consumer rights.

8 min read
Probate

How Probate Works in New York: Surrogate's Court Process

New York probate explained: small estate affidavit, full probate in Surrogate's Court. Filing fees, deadlines, intestate rules, and statute citations.

9 min read
Financial

How to Close Bank Accounts After Death in New York

Step-by-step guide to closing bank accounts, transferring vehicle titles, handling real property, and accessing safe deposit boxes after a death in New York.

7 min read
Death certificates

How to Get a Death Certificate in New York

Order a New York death certificate from NYS DOH or NYC DOHMH. 2026 fees, the split NYC/state system, processing times, and how many copies you need.

7 min read
Funeral costs

New York Funeral Cost Guide

Realistic New York funeral costs for burial, cremation, and direct cremation. Component breakdowns, legal pricing rights, and pre-need contract rules under GBL ss 453.

7 min read
Benefits

Social Security Survivor Benefits in New York

How to claim Social Security survivor benefits in New York, including the $255 lump sum, monthly benefit amounts, WEP/GPO elimination, and NY tax implications.

7 min read
Getting started

What to Do When Someone Dies in New York: A Complete Guide

Step-by-step New York death checklist: Surrogate's Court probate, death certificates, estate tax cliff, financial tasks, and Medicaid recovery.

10 min read