Legal Question in Family Law in New York
Rights of an illegitimate child
If a father leaves all his
fortune to his illegitimate
child does his wife and
legal children get
nothing? How can the
child prove he is the son
if the father is dead?
Asked on 10/07/08, 4:30 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Markowitz
Michael A. Markowitz, PC
Re: Rights of an illegitimate child
Under New York State law you cannot totally cut a wife out of a will. She has a "right of election" which is $50,000. However, children do not have a right to collect from a father under a will.
Mike.
Answered on 10/07/08, 7:44 am