Bonnie Lawston

We provide probate , estate administration and trust services to clients
that have a loved one that died a resident of New York, Long Island or has
real estate in New York but died in another state.

We also provide extensive estate planning services to our clients that reside in New York.

A large part of our practice is working with out-of-state executors, heirs,
beneficiaries and trustees who reside in Florida, Texas, New Jersey, North
and South Carolina, Maryland, and other U.S. states as it relates to the New
York or Florida Estate or Trust matter.

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Estate Planning

Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

• Estate Administration
• Fiduciary Rights and Duties
• Fiduciary Commissions
• Ancillary Estate & Administration Proceedings
• Inheritance Rights

• Zoom

• Free Consultation
  Initial consultations are free!

Connecticut

State of Connecticut Judicial Branch

Since 1993

Florida

The Florida Bar

Since 2016

New York

New York State Office of Court Administration

ID Number: 2597169

Since 1994

Founder

Law Office of Bonnie Lawston, P.C.

Current

Certified Member

Guardian Ad Litem Panel for Surrogate Court in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Current

Former Certified Member

18B Family and Criminal Court Panel for Suffolk County Courts,

Current

Former Certified Member

Referee Panel for Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Current

Touro Law School

Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus

B.A. (1989) | Criminal Justice

1985 - 1989

Honors: Criminal Justice Honors

Activities: President Criminal Justice Association - 2 years

Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus

B.A. (1989) | Criminal Justice

1985 - 1989

Honors: Criminal Justice Honors

Activities: President Criminal Justice Association - 2 years

New York State Bar

Member

1994 - Current

WHAT DO I DO WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES? by Bonnie Lawston | Mar 3, 2020

March 3, 2020

Q. Does pretermitted children include unborn nieces and nephews at time of the will or just children of the testator?

30 April 2021

A: It depends on the language and intent of the testator if the additional Nieces and nephews take.

Q. Is the nominated executor allowed to retain a lawyer to 'Manage the Estate' without first being approved as executor?

30 April 2021

A: A nominated executor (named in the Will) or executor (appointed when Will is admitted to probate) should retain an attorney to assist them with the administration of the estate and legal affairs. The executor should be managing the assets such as collection the mail, providing information to the attorney about the asset so the attorney can collect it and if there is real property then the executor should secure the property, make sure it’s taken care of while the attorney lists and sells the property.