At a recent interview, attorney Dan Yao, the head lawyer at New York’s Rock Solid Law, shared insights into navigating the complexities of estate law. With extensive experience in this field, he emphasized how intertwined New York’s estate laws are with other civil statutes.
“Creating a will or a trust, managing estate-related disputes, and handling real estate within the Chinese community can be incredibly daunting for many individuals,” Yao explained. “The New York Surrogate Court operates within its own set of traditions and procedures, so for the average person, dealing with estate issues can feel like navigating a maze without a map. This is why professional legal assistance is often essential for properly managing inheritance matters and resolving disputes.”
Rock Solid Law has built a reputation for its expertise in estate law. Yao noted that he has been appointed as supervising attorney for various estate cases by judges from several Surrogate Courts in the surrounding counties, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. In this role, he reviews and assesses the legality and appropriateness of estate proceedings, providing legal advice to the judges.
While Yao finds his role as a court-appointed supervising attorney meaningful and fulfilling—often volunteering his services pro bono—he spends much of his time representing clients as their private attorney. He leads clients through litigation and mediation processes in Surrogate Courts. Reflecting on his experience, Yao mentioned working with a wealthy oil family from the Netherlands to ensure fair management of a multi-million dollar estate, as well as successfully advocating for an elderly client against a distant relative in Florida over a significant inheritance.
Beyond litigation, Rock Solid Law helps a broad range of clients establish wills and trusts, assisting the community in their estate planning and management needs.
“Honestly, the best way to handle disputes is to avoid them altogether,” Yao recommended. He urged individuals to prepare their estate plans, including trusts and wills, while in good health. He pointed out that the Chinese community often invests heavily in real estate. However, when these properties become part of an inheritance, a lack of prior planning can lead to significant stress for family members, particularly the estate administrator. Mismanagement can easily lead to familial disputes. Therefore, taking proactive steps in estate planning when one is still mentally and physically fit is crucial.
With a wealth of experience in resolving estate disputes and establishing wills and trusts, Rock Solid Law excels in finding solutions even in complex situations. Community members with estate trust concerns are welcome to contact them at 212-392-5828 for consultation. Their office is located in Great Neck, with a secure space for clients to store original trust documentation and a meeting location in Flushing. The headquarters is conveniently situated at 15 Canterbury Road A3, Great Neck, NY 11021, directly across from the Great Neck train station.
