What is a letter of intent and how does it work?

A letter of intent is a legal document used in estate planning law in New York that outlines the wishes of the deceased person. It is written by the decedent, and is typically signed in the presence of two witnesses. The letter of intent is not legally binding, but it serves as an important reference document for probate court. When someone dies, their estate is divided among their heirs, based on the instructions in their will. A letter of intent can provide additional guidance to the court regarding the distribution of the deceased person’s assets. It can also cover other topics such as funeral arrangements, distributions to charities, and other wishes that the deceased may have. The letter of intent must be presented to the probate court along with the will. The court will assess the information in the letter and determine how it should be handled. It is important to ensure that the letter of intent is in line with the wishes expressed in the will. The letter of intent provides important guidance to the court when it comes to estate planning law in New York. It allows the court to consider the wishes of the deceased, while still following the instructions in the will. For this reason, it is essential to make sure that the language used in the letter of intent is clear and concise.

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