Which statement about no-contest provisions in New York is correct?

Which statement about no-contest provisions in New York is correct?

• A. It generally prohibits contests with no exceptions.
• B. In New York, forfeiture can be avoided only if the contest is in good faith with probable cause.
• C. There are exceptions to forfeiture under New York law.
• D. There are no no-contest clauses allowed in New York law.

Answer: (C)

No-contest provisions in New York are recognized, but they are not absolute. The law provides carve-outs from forfeiture, so a beneficiary isn’t automatically disinherited in every contest. That’s why the correct statement is that there are exceptions to forfeiture under New York law. The other options describe the rule in overly absolute terms or wrongly claim such clauses aren’t allowed at all. In practice, some challenges to a will may be barred by a no-contest clause, while others—made with legitimate grounds or under specific exceptions—may proceed without triggering forfeiture.

No-contest provisions in New York are recognized, but they are not absolute. The law provides carve-outs from forfeiture, so a beneficiary isn’t automatically disinherited in every contest. That’s why the correct statement is that there are exceptions to forfeiture under New York law. The other options describe the rule in overly absolute terms or wrongly claim such clauses aren’t allowed at all. In practice, some challenges to a will may be barred by a no-contest clause, while others—made with legitimate grounds or under specific exceptions—may proceed without triggering forfeiture.