Fratello Law

Estate Planning Attorney in Old Bethpage, NY

Protect Your Family's Future Today

Your family deserves security and peace of mind, not uncertainty about what happens next.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services

Life Gets Simpler When Everything's Planned

You wake up knowing your family is protected. Your assets go exactly where you want them to go. Your healthcare wishes are clear and legally binding. No family disputes over your intentions because everything is documented properly.

This is what happens when you have a solid estate plan in place. Your loved ones aren’t left guessing about your wishes or dealing with complicated legal processes during an already difficult time. Instead, they can focus on what matters most – supporting each other and honoring your memory.

The peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve handled these important decisions is immediate. You’re not putting off something that could become a crisis for your family later.

Old Bethpage Estate Planning Lawyers

We Know Long Island Families

We’ve been serving Long Island families for years, and we understand what matters to people in Old Bethpage and Nassau County. You work hard for your home, your family, and your future. You want to make sure those investments are protected.

We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate estate planning, from young couples buying their first home to retirees planning for long-term care. We know the local concerns – protecting your home equity, planning for rising healthcare costs, and making sure your family can stay in the community they love.

Our bilingual team offers Spanish and Italian services, and we’ll meet you at your home, hospital, or nursing home when needed. Because good legal advice shouldn’t be complicated or hard to access.

Estate Planning Process Overview

Here's Exactly What We Do

First, we sit down and talk about your situation. What do you own? Who do you want to take care of? What are your biggest concerns? We listen carefully because every family is different.

Then we explain your options in plain English. Maybe you need a simple will, or maybe a trust makes more sense for your situation. We’ll walk through the pros and cons of each approach so you can make informed decisions.

Once you’re comfortable with the plan, we prepare all the documents. We make sure everything is properly executed and legally binding. Then we explain how to keep your plan current as your life changes. You’re not just getting paperwork – you’re getting a roadmap for protecting your family’s future.

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Estate Planning Services Available

Everything You Need Under One Roof

Our estate planning services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and asset protection strategies. We handle Medicaid planning, special needs trusts, and guardianship matters. If you own real estate, we can help with property transfers and deed planning.

For Old Bethpage families, we often focus on protecting home equity – a major concern given that median home values in Nassau County have reached $820,000. We also help with business succession planning for local entrepreneurs and comprehensive tax planning strategies.

Long Island families face unique challenges, from high property taxes to expensive long-term care costs. Our local expertise means we understand these pressures and can design plans that address them specifically. We’re not using cookie-cutter approaches – we’re creating solutions that work for your actual situation.

How much does estate planning cost in Old Bethpage?

Estate planning costs vary based on your specific needs and the complexity of your situation. A basic will might cost less than a comprehensive plan with multiple trusts and tax strategies. We offer free initial consultations so you can understand your options before making any financial commitment. During this meeting, we’ll give you a clear picture of what services you need and what they’ll cost. We believe in transparent pricing – no surprises or hidden fees. Most families find that the cost of proper estate planning is far less than what their loved ones would pay in probate costs, legal fees, and taxes without a plan in place.
Whether you need a trust depends on your specific situation, not just where you live. However, many Old Bethpage families do benefit from trusts because of the high property values and estate tax considerations in New York. Trusts can help you avoid probate, protect assets from creditors, and provide more control over how your assets are distributed. They’re particularly useful if you own real estate, have minor children, or want to plan for potential incapacity. We’ll review your assets, family situation, and goals to determine if a trust makes sense for you. Sometimes a will is sufficient, and sometimes a trust is the better choice. The key is getting personalized advice based on your actual circumstances.
Without an estate plan, New York state law decides what happens to your assets and who makes decisions for you if you become incapacitated. This rarely matches what people actually want for their families. Your assets would go through probate, which can take months or years and cost thousands of dollars. Your family would have no guidance about your healthcare wishes if you can’t speak for yourself. If you have minor children, a court would decide who raises them. The emotional toll on your family can be even worse than the financial cost. They’re left making difficult decisions during an already stressful time, often leading to family conflicts that could have been avoided with proper planning.
You should review your estate plan every three to five years, or whenever you experience major life changes like marriage, divorce, birth of children, death of beneficiaries, or significant changes in your financial situation. New York laws can also change, affecting how your plan works. We stay current on these changes and will let you know if updates are needed. Some changes require new documents, while others might just need simple amendments. We recommend keeping your plan current rather than waiting for a crisis. It’s much easier to make updates when you’re healthy and thinking clearly than trying to handle everything during a medical emergency or family crisis.
Yes, Medicaid planning is a significant part of our practice, especially for Long Island families facing high long-term care costs. Nursing home care in Nassau County can cost $150,000 or more per year, which can quickly deplete a lifetime of savings. We help families structure their assets to qualify for Medicaid while protecting as much wealth as possible for the healthy spouse and children. This often involves creating specific types of trusts, timing asset transfers properly, and understanding complex Medicaid rules. The key is planning ahead. Medicaid has a five-year look-back period, so strategies work best when implemented well before care is needed. We can evaluate your situation and recommend the best approach for your family’s circumstances.
Yes, we understand that it’s not always convenient or possible for clients to come to our office. We offer home visits throughout Old Bethpage and Nassau County, as well as hospital and nursing home visits when needed. This is especially important for elderly clients or those dealing with health issues. Estate planning shouldn’t be delayed because of mobility or transportation concerns. We bring the same professional service to your home that you’d receive in our office. We also offer telephone and video consultations for clients who prefer remote meetings. Our goal is to make quality legal services accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances or location.