Your Estate Plan, on Your Terms
A properly structured estate plan ensures your property passes the way you intend — not the way New York State decides if you don't have one.
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What Estate Planning Actually Covers
Most people know they need a will. Fewer realize how many decisions a will alone leaves unresolved — and how much of the friction families face after a death comes from gaps in planning rather than the loss itself.
A complete estate plan addresses each of the following:
- Will: Directs the distribution of your property and, if you have minor children, names a guardian. Without one, New York's intestacy laws determine who inherits — and the result may not reflect your wishes.
- Revocable Living Trust: Holds assets during your lifetime and transfers them to your beneficiaries outside of Surrogate's Court, avoiding the time and expense of probate. You remain in full control while you are living.
- Irrevocable Trust: Removes assets from your taxable estate and may serve estate tax, Medicaid planning, or asset protection purposes. Once established, the terms generally cannot be changed.
- Durable Power of Attorney: Designates someone to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. New York law has specific requirements for this document to be effective.
- Healthcare Proxy and Living Will: Names the person authorized to make medical decisions on your behalf and documents your wishes regarding end-of-life care.
Each document serves a distinct function. Together, they form a plan that works.
Who This Planning Is For
Estate planning is not reserved for the wealthy or the elderly. The circumstances that make a plan necessary are far more common than most people assume.
Our clients include individuals and families who are:
- Married with children from a prior relationship, where clear direction is essential to honor both sets of obligations
- Non-citizen spouses who face different federal estate tax treatment than U.S. citizen spouses
- Residents with property or financial ties in multiple states — New York, New Jersey, and Florida among them — where coordination across jurisdictions matters
- Business owners whose personal estate is intertwined with a company they have built over decades
- Adults who simply want their family to have clarity, not confusion, when the time comes
If any of these descriptions fit your situation, the planning questions are real — and answering them now is considerably easier than leaving them for your family later.
How We Approach the Work
We have been advising individuals and families on estate planning since 1986. That longevity reflects something specific: we explain the law in plain English, we recommend what fits your situation rather than a standard package, and we do not expect you to arrive knowing the answers.
Our process begins with understanding your family structure, your assets, your concerns, and what you want your plan to accomplish. From there, we draft documents that reflect those intentions precisely — and we explain what each one does before you sign it.
All of our client communications, including our newsletters and legal alerts, are written by our attorneys. The same rigor that goes into our client correspondence goes into the plans we draft.
Estate Planning Questions We Hear Most Often
Do I need a will or a trust in New York?
The right answer depends on your assets, your family structure, and what you want to avoid. A will directs distribution of your property but must pass through Surrogate's Court — a process that takes time and is a matter of public record. A revocable living trust accomplishes the same goal outside of court, which is often preferable for families with real estate, significant assets, or a desire for privacy. Many clients benefit from having both. We walk through the distinction with every client before recommending either.What happens if I die without a will in New York?
New York's intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate. The result may not reflect your intentions — particularly for blended families, unmarried partners, or individuals who want to leave something to a friend, a charity, or a family member the law would not prioritize. A will removes that uncertainty.How much does estate planning cost in New York?
The cost depends on the complexity of your plan — the number and type of documents needed, the nature of your assets, and any specialized planning your situation requires. We discuss fees clearly at the outset so there are no surprises. The more relevant question for most clients is what it costs not to have a plan in place.Can one estate plan cover property in multiple states?
Real estate is governed by the laws of the state where it is located, which means a New York will may not control what happens to a Florida vacation home or a New Jersey investment property. A revocable living trust is often the most effective way to hold multi-state property, because trust assets pass outside of probate regardless of where the property sits. We regularly advise clients with ties to New York, New Jersey, and Florida on how to structure their plans accordingly.What is a power of attorney and why does it matter?
A durable power of attorney designates someone to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to petition a court for guardianship — a process that is time-consuming, expensive, and public. New York has specific statutory requirements for a power of attorney to be legally effective, and not all documents prepared elsewhere will meet them. How often should I update my estate plan? A plan that made sense when your children were young may not reflect your situation after a divorce, a death in the family, a significant change in assets, or a move to another state. We generally recommend reviewing your plan after any major life event and at regular intervals regardless. Tax law changes can also affect whether your existing documents still accomplish what you intend.