Yi W. Stewart - Farrell Fritz

Yi W. Stewart represents clients in trusts and estates matters. Yi handles cases involving probate and trust contests, accountings, discovery proceedings, construction and reformation proceedings, and fiduciary litigation. Providing thoughtful, efficient advice and litigation tactics, she helps clients obtain resolutions through negotiation, mediation, and litigation.

When managing cases for her clients, Yi conducts legal research and pretrial discovery, and drafts motion papers and appellate briefs. She also represents clients in uncontested applications for fiduciary appointments and access to digital assets. Yi serves as guardian ad litem in Surrogate’s Courts and as pro bono counsel for unrepresented parties. Sharing her knowledge across many trusts and estates topics, Yi contributes to Farrell Fritz’s New York Trusts & Estate Litigation blog.

Prior to joining Farrell Fritz, Yi served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Rita Mella, Surrogate of New York County Surrogate’s Court. In July 2023, Yi co-founded the Trusts & Estates Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York to support the legal needs of the AAPI community.

Experience

Achieved favorable settlements for legatees in claims against fiduciaries in Supreme Court and Surrogate’s Court proceedings.
Represented clients in disputes involving prenuptial agreements and separation agreements.
Advanced the interest of a non-for-profit organization in a construction proceeding and on appeal.
Secured fiduciary appointment in a contested matter involving parental rights.
Obtained disclosure from Apple and Google of decedents’ digital assets.

Community Work

Asian American Bar Association, Pro Bono Clinic

Additional Information

Practice Areas

Estate Litigation

Trusts & Estates

Education

City University of New York School of Law, J.D.

Wesleyan College

New York University, M.A., Industrial & Organizational Psychology

Affiliations and Appointments

Asian American Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Committee, Founding Co-Chair

New York City Bar Association, Trusts, Estates & Surrogate’s Courts Committee, Secretary

Surrogate’s Court Advisory Committee to the Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts of the State of New York, Member

Asian American Bar Association, Judiciary Committee, Member

New York State Bar Association, Trusts and Estates Section, Member

Admissions

New York