Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in New York
My father does not have a will and all attempts to get him to do it have failed. I fear is ailing health will take him before he will get a will in place. I am the only child and he feels that will protect his assests to going to me. He lives in NY and I in NC where he also has a home. He owns his home in NY outright and has several bank accounts. I am the bbeneficiry on his 401ks etc but how do I go about getting him to make sure his bank accounts and home is not held up in probate or frozen since he does not have a will. CAn he put my name on the homes and accounts in case if he refuses to get a will
2 Answers from Attorneys
He can add you as joint owner, with right of survivorship. Otherwise, his estate must go to probate in NY.
He can add you to the Deed, as joint owner with right of survivorship and make bank accounts POD (payable to you upon his death) These will pass to you without probate when he passes away.