New York

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (4)+

• Coronavirus Legal Planning: What Documents do I Need? 

  In light of the coronavirus, it is important to know about the different legal planning documents and how they can be used to document wishes and empower loved ones to help should something happen. Content Detail

  By:

  New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)

• Covid-19 Funeral Assistance

  Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for Covid-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. This page describes who is eligible for their assistance as well as how to apply for assistance for Covid-19 related funeral expenses. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Emergency Management Agency

• Free Legal Services for Small Estates

  Explains how to get help from a volunteer lawyer for a small estate ($50,000 or less, not including jointly owned property). Content Detail

  By:

  Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.

• What legal planning documents do I need?

  This resource has been prepared to help you understand the different documents, so that you can know what you need to prepare now or may need in the future. Read More

  By:

  LawHelpNY

I need information about planning for the future (3)+

• A Legal Checklist and Document Organizer For Seniors and Caregivers

  This checklist and document organizer is provided to assist caregivers as they face a variety of challenges. Content Detail

  By:

  Rural Law Center of New York, Inc.

• Getting Your Affairs in Order and A Guide For Your Survivors

  This article will help you prepare for your death. The first part of this resource addresses concerns for those in the Retirement System and the second half addresses concerns of the Survivors. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Comptroller's Office

• Why You Need a Will

  This pamphlet explains the purpose of a will, and what happens if a person dies without one. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Bar Association

I need help writing a will (3)+

• Frequently Asked Questions About Wills In New York State

  This resource provides answers to commonly asked questions about wills in New York State. Read More

  By:

  Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS)

• Providing for Your Pets

  This is a brochure from the New York City Bar Association on measures that should be taken to plan for the care of a pet in the event of the owner's death or hospitalization. Content Detail

  By:

  New York City Bar Association - Committee on Animal Law

• Wills and Lawyers – who needs them?

  Alexander H. Ryley Director, Elderly Project Volunteers of Legal Service answers three common questions about wills and lawyers. -Do I need a will? -Can't I write a will myself? -Isn't the law pretty simple when it comes to wills? Content Detail

  By:

  Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) Elderly Project

I want to create a living trust (2)+

• Avoiding Living Trust Scams: A Quick Guide for Advocates

  Overview of common living trust funds scams and what to do if you are a victim of this type of scam. Content Detail

  By:

  National Consumer Law Center

• Living Trusts

  This resource provides an overview of what a living trust fund is and what to expect if you obtain this type of fund. Read More

  By:

  New York State Attorney General's Office

I am planning a funeral (3)+

• A Consumer's Guide to Arranging a Funeral

  This link will take you to a page on the NY Department of Health website written to help you find helpful information and learn about your rights if you are planning a funeral. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Department of Health

• A Guide To Burial Assistance And Funeral Planning For New Yorkers In Need

  This guide for residents of New York City only provides information on burial assistance and funeral planning for families and friends of poor persons who have died, and for social workers and others involved with making burial arrangements for poor people. Content Detail

  By:

  Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS)

• Covid-19 Funeral Assistance

  Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for Covid-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. This page describes who is eligible for their assistance as well as how to apply for assistance for Covid-19 related funeral expenses. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Emergency Management Agency

I am an executor or I may become an executor (3)+

• Being an Executor

  This pamphlet is designed to give you general information about the role of an executor of a will. Content Detail

  By:

  Rural Law Center of New York, Inc.

• Did you ever wonder, What is Probate?

  Alexander H. Ryley Director, Elderly Project Volunteers of Legal Service answers four common questions regarding probate. Content Detail

  By:

  Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) Elderly Project

• What is an Executor?

  Description of what an executor is; what an executor does; who should be named an executor; if they get paid; what Surrogate's Court is; How a Will is Probated; etc. Content Detail

  By:

  The Association of the Bar of the City of New York

Someone I know has died (1)+

• What happens to a person's property when they die

  In New York State, the Surrogate's Court decides what happens to a person's property when that person dies. Learn more about this process. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Unified Court System

The person who died did not have many assets (1)+

• Online Small Estate Affidavit Program

  This program will ask you questions to help you fill out an Affidavit of Voluntary Administration. You can use this form to divide the property of someone who died. You can only use this form if the person who died had less than $50,000 worth of property. Read More

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office