Can a lawyer in a in other state help me.

[Jenn1313]

My father past away a few weeks ago. A family friend recommended a lawyer so she can help me be appointed Administrator of the estate of my father. Since my dad had no will and only had his name in his bank acc. Its been weeks and I still have not heard anything from the lawyer..And sometimes I don't even get a reply back in emails. I live in Delaware my dad was from NY. Can I get a lawyer in Delaware to appoint me administrator?

 

[LdiJ]

My father past away a few weeks ago. A family friend recommended a lawyer so she can help me be appointed Administrator of the estate of my father. Since my dad had no will and only had his name in his bank acc. Its been weeks and I still have not heard anything from the lawyer..And sometimes I don't even get a reply back in emails. I live in Delaware my dad was from NY. Can I get a lawyer in Delaware to appoint me administrator?

No, its going to have to be done in NY. A lawyer in Delaware who happened to be also licensed in NY could do it, but that could involve some travel costs which would be silly to pay.

 

[HRZ]

YOu need to focus on NY law and steps .

IS Dads estate quite small...there may be " simplified " steps for small NY estate ...I didn't look, but you should .

 

[Taxing Matters]

No, its going to have to be done in NY. A lawyer in Delaware who happened to be also licensed in NY could do it, but that could involve some travel costs which would be silly to pay.

An attorney in Delaware may represent a client in NY if that attorney is also licensed in NY (and there are a number that are) or if the attorney is admitted to NY just for that one matter, known as representing the client pro hac vice (pronounced like “pro hawk veechay”). Travel costs will be an issue if court representation is needed though in a lot of probate actions very little actual court appearance is needed. Also, the Delaware attorney can arrange with a NY attorney to handle the court appearances if those are necessary as an alternative to the Delaware attorney doing it himself/herself. The travel issue and representation issues are things that ought to be discussed, along with the attorney’s knowledge of NY probate, if hiring a Delaware attorney is contemplated. Often hiring local NY counsel is the better choice, especially over hiring one out of state whom you do not already know. But sometimes using an out-of-state lawyer is better for the client, even with some additional cost. I do work in other states for some clients because they are familiar with me and prefer to have me do all their legal work rather than relying on some attorney in that other state whom they’ve never met. There is more to choosing a lawyer than just cost.

 

[HRZ]

If less than $30000 check NYs simplified rules for small estates