Fratello Law

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Free Estate Planning Consultation
Free Estate Planning Consultation

Estate Planning Attorney in Brentwood, NY

Protect Your Family's Future with Confidence

Clear estate planning guidance that actually makes sense, designed for Brentwood families who value straightforward legal support.

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Call: 631-406-5580

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services Brentwood

Your Assets Protected, Your Wishes Honored

You’ve worked hard to build something meaningful for your family. You want to know that when the time comes, your loved ones won’t face confusion, court battles, or unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.

Proper estate planning means your family gets clear direction instead of legal chaos. Your assets transfer smoothly to the people you choose, when you want, without the delays and costs of probate court. Your healthcare wishes are respected if you can’t speak for yourself.

Most importantly, you get peace of mind knowing everything is handled correctly. No more wondering if you’ve covered all the bases or if your family will be okay.

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Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer Brentwood NY

Local Expertise You Can Actually Trust

We’ve been serving Long Island families for years, helping them navigate estate planning with the personal attention they deserve. We understand the unique needs of Brentwood residents, from protecting family homes to planning for multi-generational households.

What sets us apart is our approach. We offer bilingual services in Spanish and Italian, reflecting the diverse community we serve. We’ll meet you at home, in the hospital, or at a nursing home because we understand that life doesn’t always happen in an office.

We focus exclusively on elder law and estate planning, which means we’ve seen every situation and know how to handle complex family dynamics with patience and respect.

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Estate Planning Process Brentwood Attorney

Simple Process, Comprehensive Protection

Your estate planning starts with a straightforward conversation about your family, your assets, and your concerns. We take time to understand your specific situation without rushing you through a checklist.

Next, we’ll explain your options in plain language. Whether you need a simple will or a complex trust structure, we’ll walk you through what each document does and why it matters for your family. You’ll understand exactly what you’re signing and how it protects your loved ones.

Finally, we handle all the legal requirements to make sure your documents are properly executed and legally binding. We’ll also guide you through funding your trust if needed and ensure your beneficiary designations align with your overall plan.

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Estate Planning Documents Brentwood NY

Complete Estate Planning Protection

Your estate plan includes all the essential documents to protect your family and your wishes. You’ll get a comprehensive will that clearly states how your assets should be distributed and who should care for minor children.

Power of attorney documents ensure someone you trust can handle your financial and healthcare decisions if you become incapacitated. Healthcare directives spell out your medical wishes so your family knows exactly what you want.

For Brentwood families with substantial assets, trusts can provide additional protection from probate costs and delays. Given that the median home value in Brentwood is nearly $580,000, many families benefit from trust planning to protect their most valuable assets and ensure smooth transfers to the next generation.

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How much does estate planning cost in Brentwood, NY?

Estate planning costs vary based on your specific needs and the complexity of your situation. A basic will and power of attorney package typically costs less than a comprehensive trust-based plan. Most Brentwood families find that the cost of proper estate planning is minimal compared to what their families would face in probate court without a plan. Probate can cost 3-7% of your estate’s value, plus months or years of delays. We provide upfront pricing so you know exactly what to expect. We’ll explain the cost of each option during your consultation, helping you choose the level of protection that makes sense for your family’s situation and budget.
Whether you need a trust depends on your assets, family situation, and goals. Many Brentwood homeowners benefit from trusts because they help avoid probate on real estate and provide privacy for your family. If you own a home worth $400,000 or more, have retirement accounts, or want to protect assets from potential long-term care costs, a trust often makes financial sense. Trusts also help if you have minor children or want to control how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance. The decision ultimately comes down to your specific circumstances. We’ll review your situation and explain whether a trust would benefit your family, without pushing you toward more complex planning than you actually need.
Without an estate plan, New York’s intestacy laws decide who gets your assets and who makes decisions for your minor children. This rarely matches what families actually want. Your assets will go through probate court, which typically takes 6-18 months and costs thousands of dollars in legal fees and court costs. During this time, your family can’t access your accounts or sell your property. If you become incapacitated without power of attorney documents, your family may need to go to court to get permission to handle your affairs. This guardianship process is expensive, time-consuming, and strips away your privacy during an already difficult time.
You should review your estate plan every 3-5 years or after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in your financial situation. New York estate planning laws change periodically, and what worked for your family five years ago might not be optimal today. Tax laws, Medicaid rules, and probate procedures evolve, potentially affecting your plan’s effectiveness. We recommend scheduling periodic reviews to ensure your documents still reflect your wishes and take advantage of any beneficial law changes. We’ll also remind you when it’s time for an update, so you don’t have to keep track of these details yourself.
While online estate planning tools exist, they can’t account for New York’s specific laws or your family’s unique circumstances. Generic forms often miss important details that could invalidate your documents or create problems for your family. Estate planning involves more than just filling out forms. You need to understand how different documents work together, how to properly fund trusts, and how to coordinate beneficiary designations with your overall plan. For Brentwood families with homes, retirement accounts, and other significant assets, the cost of professional legal help is minimal compared to the potential problems from DIY planning. Our experience with New York law and local court procedures ensures your plan works when your family needs it most.
A will is a document that tells the court how to distribute your assets after you die, but it only takes effect after your death and must go through probate. A trust is a legal entity that can hold your assets during your lifetime and distribute them according to your instructions without court involvement. Wills are public documents once they’re filed with the court, while trusts remain private. Trusts can also provide ongoing management for beneficiaries who aren’t ready to handle large inheritances all at once. Most comprehensive estate plans include both documents. The trust handles your major assets like your home and investment accounts, while a “pour-over” will catches any assets that weren’t transferred to the trust and provides instructions for guardianship of minor children.

Local Resources

Brentwood, NY is located in Suffolk County in New York State