Estate Planning Attorneys

Prepare for the Future with an Experienced, Dedicated Attorney by Your Side

Estate Planning for All Stages

Creating a comprehensive estate plan often gets postponed on our to-do list. However, the unexpected can happen at any time. No matter your situation, having a proper estate plan will specify your wishes regarding your assets, property, health, and other factors in case of an unforeseen event. Discussing your potential death or incapacity, or talking with a loved one about their demise, is never easy. Nonetheless, ensuring your wishes are known in preparation for the unexpected is far better than being unprepared. Completing your estate plan not only clarifies your decisions and wishes but also protects your loved ones and eases the burden on your family in managing your affairs without the necessary authority.

We understand the difficulty in starting these conversations and addressing the worst-case scenarios. Our compassionate attorneys at The Law Office of Alan C. Stein have the knowledge and resources to guide you through creating a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your needs. We are a small firm with a big heart, dedicated to ensuring your family and friends understand your wishes after you pass.

 

Do You Need an Estate Plan in New York?

Estate planning is not just for older adults. It is a vital process for individuals of all ages who want to ensure their affairs are in order and their wishes are followed, regardless of what the future holds.

At The Law Office of Alan C. Stein, we understand the importance of having a clear plan in place so loved ones know exactly how to handle your affairs. Our New York estate planning team works diligently to craft unique estate plans tailored to your circumstances and goals, effectively and efficiently communicating your wishes. 

We outline estate plans for:

When you partner with an estate planning lawyer at The Law Office of Alan C. Stein, they will personally analyze your specific needs and goals. We pride ourselves on working with each client one-on-one to construct an estate plan that you can trust to securely protect your wealth and assets for the people you care about.

What Does a Comprehensive Estate Plan Cover?

Many believe that an estate plan solely protects and distributes assets, but it encompasses various elements safeguarding different aspects of an individual’s life. A basic estate plan includes a Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Living Will, and Last Will & Testament. Depending on your circumstances, a Revocable or Irrevocable Trust might also be included. A comprehensive estate plan ensures tangible and trustworthy health, legal, and financial management if you become incapacitated or incapable of making important decisions.

Benefits of a Comprehensive Estate Plan
with The Law Office of Alan C. Stein:

Protect Your Assets

Estate planning allows you to determine howyour assets will be distributed upon your death. By creating a Will or establishing a Trust, you can specify who will manage and distribute your assets and ensure your wishes are carried out.

Establish Beneficiaries and Guardians

Working with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney ensures proper beneficiary designations, designates individuals to receive specific property and assets, and appoints a legal guardian for any minor children upon your death.

Solidifies Health-Related Wishes

Life is unpredictable, and accidents or illnesses can occur at any age. By establishing documents like a Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, and Living Will, you can designate someone you trust to make crucial decisions on your behalf if you cannot and provide important directions regarding your wishes.

Eliminates Family Arguments

Estate planning helps prevent or minimize conflict among your loved ones. By clearly outlining your wishes and distributing your assets according to a well-thought-out plan, you can avoid disputes and disagreements after you are gone.

Estate planning allows you to control your financial and personal affairs, protect your loved ones, and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Consulting with an experienced estate planning attorney will help you navigate the process and tailor a plan to suit your unique circumstances and goals.

Create an Estate Plan with a Trusted New York Estate Planning Lawyer

A complete estate plan requires more than just a simple will.
An effective estate plan should also outline contingency plans regarding your:

Proper advanced planning with an experienced attorney can help offset the cost of long-term care and maintain essential benefits. An attorney with extensive estate planning experience can design your plan to minimize potential deductions for your loved ones, including Federal and State gift and estate taxes or recovery from governmental programs such as Medicaid.

Items to Include in Your Estate Plan

Regardless of your age or current circumstances, it is important to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney who can guide you through the process and help you create a comprehensive plan that aligns with your goals and desires. At The Law Office of Alan C. Stein, our New York lawyers can outline estate plans that include:

Power of Attorney

Designates a person to act for you and handle your financial and/or legal matters if you are unable to do so.

Living Trust

Provides a mechanism to manage your property during your lifetime and potentially maximize governmental benefits and avoid probate.

Health Care Proxy

Appoints a person to make decisions regarding your health care treatment if you cannot provide informed consent.

Living Will

An advance directive that provides healthcare providers with your end-of-life wishes regarding your care.

Last Will and Testament

Transfers your property to the people or organizations of your choosing and names your Personal Representative and Guardian if you have minor children

Testamentary Trust

Provides a mechanism to manage assets upon your demise and holds them for a loved one unable to manage their own affairs or under governmental assistance.

Supplemental Needs Trust

Provides a mechanism to manage and distribute assets on behalf of a disabled individual to ensure continued care without jeopardizing governmental benefits.

The arrangements set up in your estate plan will legally bind your wishes. Comprehensive estate plans give you the power to decide who will make important legal, financial, and health care decisions if you cannot, allowing your wishes to be honored during your lifetime and after your death.

Estate Planning Services We Offer

Wills

Our attorneys create a Last Will and Testament that carries out your wishes for your assets, belongings, the guardianship of your minor children, and more.

Trusts

Our practiced attorneys guide you in selecting the right type of trust, appointing a trustee, and ensuring your assets are distributed to the correct beneficiaries.

Disability Planning

 Our dedicated disability planning attorneys help you create the right power of attorney and healthcare proxy to ensure your finances and wellbeing are cared for in case of illness. They also help draft a living will that ensures all your end-of-life wishes are upheld.

Estate Tax Planning

 Our estate planning attorneys guide you in transferring your hard-earned assets with minimal taxation through various estate planning vehicles. Both New York State and the federal government impose a tax on transferring your property at your death if your gross estate exceeds a predetermined exclusion amount, which changes annually. We work with you and your accountant to determine the best planning to shelter your wealth.