Skip to main content
SimplyTrust
SimplyTrust
MobileNewForms & ToolsFreeLearnStates
OverviewEstate Law
Probate by County
OverviewEstate Law
Forms
Revocable Living Trust for New York ResidentsNew York Last Will and TestamentNew York Pour-Over WillNew York Healthcare Power of AttorneyNew York Financial Power of Attorney
Getting Prepared
New York Estate Planning Cost CalculatorNew York Revocable Living Trust Cost CalculatorNew York Will Cost CalculatorNew York Life Insurance CalculatorNew York Beneficiary Designation CheckerNew York Signing Requirements CheckerNew York Document Portability CheckerNew York Revocable TrustNew York Trust or Will Decision Tool
Someone Just Passed Away
New York Death Certificate CalculatorNew York Probate Decision ToolNew York Inheritance ExplainerNew York Estate Settlement Checklist
I'm an Executor
New York Probate Cost CalculatorNew York Executor Fee CalculatorNew York Self-File Probate AssessmentNew York Executor Duties Checklist
I'm a Trustee
New York Trustee Compensation CalculatorNew York Trustee Duties Checklist
Taxes & Inheritance
New York Who Inherits CalculatorNew York Estate & Inheritance Tax Calculator
Company
AboutCareersContactFormsMobileNewPress
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSecurityAI Access

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc.

SimplyTrust Logo

Every family deserves a plan. We'll help.

Forms

  • Revocable Trust
  • Last Will
  • Pour-Over Will
  • Healthcare Proxy
  • Financial POA

Tools

  • Trust vs Will
  • Probate Calculator
  • Who Inherits
  • Estate Settlement
  • Death Tax Calculator
  • Life Insurance

Learn

  • Articles
  • State Guides
  • Estate Law
  • Life Events
  • Law Firms
  • Financial Institutions

Company

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Mobile App

SimplyTrust is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal counsel, or attorney review. Information on this platform is for general informational purposes only. Use of SimplyTrust does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are solely responsible for all documents you create. For advice tailored to your circumstances, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

© 2026 SimplyTrust Software Inc. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy·Terms of Service·Security··AI Access

All content, data, and calculations are proprietary. Automated scraping, systematic downloading, or data extraction is prohibited under our Terms of Service. Product visuals are simulated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual experience.

Estate planning, in your pocket.

Create and manage your trust from your phone.

Revocable Trusts

Skip probate with a revocable trust

Estate Ledger

Every decision signed, timestamped, and hashed

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing

Download

Get the app on iOS and Android

Home→Tools→Beneficiary Checker→New York

Are Beneficiary Designations Protected in New York?

Check how divorce, creditors, and state laws affect your life insurance, retirement accounts, and other beneficiary designations.

Select all that apply

West Dakota: $999,999 (99.9%)East Montana: $888,888 (88.8%)

This tool provides general information about state beneficiary designation laws. It does not constitute legal advice. ERISA-governed plans are subject to federal law which may differ from state law. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.Data verified 2026-01-21

SimplyTrust

Protect your beneficiaries

Frequently Asked Questions

New York automatically revokes beneficiary designations to an ex-spouse upon divorce for most asset types including life insurance and retirement accounts. This is codified at EPTL § 5-1.4. ERISA-governed employer plans (like 401(k)s) are subject to federal law and require manual updates.

Partially. New York provides some creditor protection for inherited IRAs, but with limitations. See CPLR 5205.

No. Per stirpes is not the default in New York. If a beneficiary dies before you without a named contingent beneficiary, the proceeds typically go to your estate and through probate. Explicit per stirpes designation or contingent beneficiaries are needed.

How Do Beneficiary Designations Work in New York?

Beneficiary designations on life insurance, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death accounts determine who receives these assets when you die. These designations override your will, making it critical to keep them updated.

New York is one of the states that automatically revokes beneficiary designations to an ex-spouse upon divorce. This applies to: life insurance, retirement accounts, pod accounts, tod accounts, annuities. However, ERISA-governed employer plans (401k, pension) are subject to federal law and must be updated manually.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

New Baby or Adoption

New Baby or Adoption

Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.

Learn more
Marriage

Marriage

Starting a life together means planning for it. Beneficiary updates, asset titling, powers of attorney, and what blended families need to know.

Learn more

More estate planning resources

Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.

Free

Last Will and Testament

Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.

Get Started
Free

Pour-Over Will

Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.

Get Started
$12/month

Revocable Living Trust

Find out if a revocable trust makes sense based on your state's laws.

Get Started

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Calculate how much life insurance coverage you need. Accounts for income replacement, debt payoff, college funding, and state-specific factors like cost of living and estate taxes.

Use Calculator

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.

Use Calculator

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.

Use Calculator

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Get a personalized checklist for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.

Get Checklist

New York Estate Planning Attorneys

58 firms

New York Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering New York probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.