Estate Planning Attorney in Jericho, NY

Protect Your Family's Future with Confidence

Clear guidance through every step of estate planning, from wills to asset protection strategies tailored for Jericho families.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services Jericho

Your Family Protected, Your Wishes Honored

When your estate plan is properly structured, your family avoids the stress of court proceedings and family disputes. Your assets go exactly where you intended, when you intended, with minimal taxes and legal fees.

Your loved ones won’t face the uncertainty of state-imposed decisions or the financial burden of probate costs that can consume up to 10% of your estate’s value. Instead, they’ll have clear direction and immediate access to the resources they need during difficult times.

With proper planning, you maintain control over your healthcare decisions and financial affairs, even if you become unable to make those decisions yourself. Your home equity stays protected, and your family’s financial security remains intact.

Trusted Estate Planning Lawyers Jericho

Local Knowledge, Personal Attention

We have served Long Island families for over a decade, understanding the unique challenges facing Jericho residents. With property values averaging over $1.1 million, many families here are house-rich but concerned about protecting their wealth from nursing home costs and estate taxes.

Our founder, Cheryl Fratello, is admitted to practice in New York and accredited for Veterans benefits claims. We provide bilingual services in Spanish and Italian, reflecting the diverse needs of Nassau County families.

Unlike larger firms, we offer home visits, hospital consultations, and flexible scheduling including early morning and after-hours appointments. This accessibility ensures you get the legal guidance you need when and where you need it most.

Estate Planning Process Jericho NY

Straightforward Process, Lasting Protection

Your estate planning begins with a free consultation where you discuss your family situation, assets, and concerns. This conversation helps identify your specific needs and goals, whether that’s protecting your home from Medicaid spend-down or ensuring your children’s guardianship preferences are legally documented.

Next, we draft the appropriate documents based on your situation. This might include a will, revocable trust, power of attorney, healthcare proxy, and HIPAA releases. Each document is explained clearly so you understand exactly what you’re signing and why it matters.

The final step involves executing your documents with proper witnesses and notarization. We ensure everything meets New York State requirements and provide guidance on implementing your plan, such as funding trusts or updating beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies.

Ready to get started?

Explore More Services

About Fratello Law

Get a Free Consultation

Estate Planning Documents Jericho NY

Complete Protection for Jericho Families

Your estate plan includes all necessary documents to protect your family and assets. A comprehensive will ensures your property goes to your chosen beneficiaries and names guardians for minor children. Power of attorney documents allow trusted individuals to handle your financial and healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated.

For Jericho families with significant home equity, revocable trusts can help avoid probate and provide privacy for your family’s financial matters. Healthcare proxies and living wills ensure your medical wishes are respected, preventing family conflicts during medical crises.

Given Long Island’s high nursing home costs—averaging up to $600,000 for a three-year stay—Medicaid planning strategies help protect your home and savings. This is particularly important for Jericho residents whose substantial property values could otherwise disqualify them from benefits they’ve earned.

How much does estate planning cost in Jericho, NY?

Estate planning costs vary based on your specific needs and the complexity of your situation. Basic estate planning documents typically range from $1,200 to $4,000, depending on whether you need simple wills or more complex trust structures. For Jericho families with substantial assets, the investment in proper estate planning often saves thousands in probate costs, estate taxes, and family disputes. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your needs and provide fee estimates upfront. The cost of not having an estate plan is often much higher than the cost of creating one, especially when you consider probate fees, potential family litigation, and the financial impact of improper Medicaid planning.

Do I need a trust if I live in Jericho?

Whether you need a trust depends on your assets, family situation, and goals. For many Jericho residents with substantial home equity, a revocable living trust can provide significant benefits including probate avoidance, privacy, and streamlined asset management. Trusts are particularly valuable if you own property in multiple states, have a blended family, or want to ensure seamless management of your affairs if you become incapacitated. They also provide more control over how and when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance. However, trusts aren’t necessary for everyone. A thorough consultation with us can help determine whether a trust fits your specific situation and goals, or if other estate planning tools would be more appropriate.

What happens if I die without a will in New York?

If you die without a will in New York, state intestacy laws determine how your assets are distributed. This means your property may not go to the people you would have chosen, and the distribution process becomes more complicated and expensive. Under New York law, if you’re married with children, your surviving spouse receives the first $50,000 of your estate, and the remainder is split equally between your spouse and children. If your children are minors, the court appoints a guardian to manage their inheritance until they turn 18. The court also decides who administers your estate, which may not be the person you would have preferred. This process typically takes longer and costs more than if you had a properly executed will in place.

How can I protect my home from nursing home costs?

Protecting your home from nursing home costs requires careful planning, especially given Long Island’s high care costs that can reach $600,000 for a three-year stay. Several strategies can help preserve your home equity while ensuring you qualify for Medicaid benefits when needed. Asset protection trusts, when properly structured and funded at least five years before needing care, can protect your home from Medicaid spend-down requirements. These trusts allow you to continue living in your home while removing it from your countable assets for Medicaid purposes. Other strategies include spousal protection provisions, which allow a healthy spouse to retain the family home, and homestead exemptions. The key is planning well in advance, as Medicaid’s five-year lookback period means any transfers made within that timeframe could affect your eligibility.

When should I update my estate plan?

You should review and potentially update your estate plan whenever you experience major life changes such as marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of beneficiaries, or significant changes in your financial situation. New York law changes can also affect your estate plan. For example, updates to estate tax exemptions or Medicaid regulations might require adjustments to your planning strategies. It’s generally recommended to review your estate plan every three to five years, even if no major changes have occurred. Additionally, if you move to or from New York, you should have your estate plan reviewed to ensure it complies with your new state’s laws and takes advantage of any beneficial provisions that might not have been available in your previous state.

What's the difference between a will and a trust?

A will is a legal document that directs how your assets should be distributed after your death and names guardians for minor children. However, wills must go through probate, which is a public court process that can take months or years to complete. A trust is a legal entity that can hold and manage your assets both during your lifetime and after your death. Revocable trusts allow you to maintain control over your assets while alive, but they avoid probate when you die, providing privacy and typically faster distribution to beneficiaries. Both documents serve important purposes, and many comprehensive estate plans include both a will and a trust. The will handles items not transferred to the trust and names guardians for children, while the trust manages the bulk of your assets and provides ongoing management if you become incapacitated.

Local Resources

Jericho, NY is located in Nassau County in New York State

Estate Planning Attorney in Jericho, NY

Protect Your Family's Future with Confidence