Wills Attorney in Woodbury, NY

Protect Your Family's Future Today

Clear, legally sound wills that ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Estate Planning Wills Woodbury

Your Family Gets Real Protection

When you have a properly drafted will, your family knows exactly what you want. No guessing. No fighting. No expensive court battles over who gets what.

Your children have the guardians you chose, not ones assigned by a judge who’s never met your family. Your assets go to the people you actually care about, not distant relatives you haven’t spoken to in years.

Most importantly, your loved ones can focus on grieving and healing instead of navigating complex legal processes during an already difficult time. That’s what real estate planning does—it removes uncertainty when your family needs clarity most.

Woodbury Wills Lawyer

Local Attorneys You Can Trust

We’ve been serving Long Island families for years, and we understand the unique considerations that come with living in Woodbury. From the high property values to the complex family dynamics that often exist in our community, we’ve seen it all.

Our approach is different. We don’t rush you through a cookie-cutter process. We take time to understand your specific situation, your family relationships, and your concerns about the future.

We offer consultations in our office, by phone, or even in your home if that’s more convenient. We also provide services in Spanish and Italian, because important legal decisions should be made in the language you’re most comfortable with.

Will Preparation Process Woodbury

Simple Steps, Solid Results

First, we sit down and talk about what matters to you. Who should inherit your assets? Who would you trust to raise your children? What specific wishes do you have that need to be documented?

Then we draft your will according to New York’s strict legal requirements. This isn’t just filling out a form—it’s creating a document that will hold up in court and actually accomplish what you want it to accomplish.

Finally, we make sure everything is properly executed with the right witnesses and signatures. We also discuss where to store your will and how to keep it updated as your life changes. The whole process typically takes a few weeks, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing it’s done right.

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Last Will Testament Woodbury

Complete Will Drafting Services

Your will includes everything needed to protect your family and distribute your assets according to your wishes. We help you designate beneficiaries for all your property, name guardians for minor children, and choose an executor you trust to handle your estate.

For Woodbury residents, we pay special attention to real estate holdings, which often represent a significant portion of local families’ wealth. We make sure your home and any other properties are properly addressed in your will, considering both current value and potential future appreciation.

We also coordinate with your other estate planning documents, like powers of attorney and health care proxies, to create a comprehensive plan. This integrated approach ensures there are no gaps in your planning that could create problems for your family later.

Do I really need a will if I don't have much money?

Yes, absolutely. Even if you don’t consider yourself wealthy, you likely have more assets than you realize—your home, car, bank accounts, retirement funds, and personal belongings all add up. More importantly, without a will, New York State decides who gets your assets and who raises your children. If you’re married with kids, your spouse doesn’t automatically inherit everything. Under New York law, your spouse gets the first $50,000 plus half of the remainder, and your children get the rest. This can create serious financial problems for your surviving spouse. If you have minor children, a will is essential for naming guardians. Without one, a judge who doesn’t know your family will decide who raises your kids. That’s not a decision you want to leave to chance.

How much does it cost to have a will prepared?

The cost varies depending on the complexity of your situation, but most people are surprised by how affordable proper will preparation actually is. A straightforward will typically costs much less than most people expect, and it’s a fraction of what your family might spend on legal fees if you don’t have one. Think about it this way: the cost of having a will prepared is usually less than what you’d spend on a family vacation, but it provides protection that lasts a lifetime. When you consider the potential costs of probate disputes, family conflicts, and legal complications that can arise without a will, the investment in proper planning makes perfect sense. We offer free initial consultations, so you can learn about your options and get a clear understanding of costs before making any decisions. No surprises, no pressure—just honest information about what you need and what it will cost.

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

When you die without a will in New York, it’s called dying “intestate,” and the state’s laws determine who inherits your assets. These laws don’t consider your personal relationships or wishes—they follow a rigid formula based on family relationships. If you’re married with children, your spouse gets the first $50,000 plus half of the remaining assets, and your children split the other half. If you have minor children, this can create immediate financial hardship for your surviving spouse, who may not have enough money to maintain the household and care for the kids. The process also takes longer and costs more because the court has to appoint an administrator and oversee the distribution of assets. Your family has no control over who gets appointed, and they may end up working with someone they don’t know or trust during an already difficult time.

Can I just use an online will template instead of hiring a lawyer?

Online templates are risky because they can’t account for your specific situation or New York’s complex legal requirements. We’ve seen too many cases where DIY wills created more problems than they solved. New York has very strict rules about how wills must be signed and witnessed. If you miss even one technical requirement, your will might be invalid, leaving your family with the same problems they’d face if you had no will at all. Online templates also can’t help you navigate complex family situations, tax implications, or coordination with other estate planning documents. The biggest risk is that you won’t know if there’s a problem until it’s too late. When your family is dealing with your estate, they’ll discover any mistakes or omissions, and by then it’s too late to fix them. Having an experienced attorney prepare your will ensures it’s done right the first time and will actually accomplish what you want it to accomplish.

How often should I update my will?

You should review your will whenever you experience major life changes—marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of beneficiaries, significant changes in your financial situation, or if you move to a different state. At a minimum, you should review your will every three to five years to make sure it still reflects your wishes and circumstances. People’s relationships change, assets grow or shrink, and laws evolve. What made sense when you first created your will might not be appropriate years later. The good news is that updating a will is usually much simpler and less expensive than creating the original document. We can often make changes through a codicil (an amendment to your existing will) or by preparing a new will that revokes the old one. The key is staying proactive about keeping your estate plan current rather than letting it become outdated.

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

A will is a document that takes effect when you die and tells the court how to distribute your assets. A trust is a legal arrangement that can hold and manage assets during your lifetime and after your death, often avoiding probate entirely. Wills are simpler and less expensive to create, making them the right choice for many families. They’re particularly useful for naming guardians for minor children, something trusts can’t do. However, wills must go through probate, which is a public court process that can take months or even years. Trusts offer more privacy and control, and they can help your family avoid probate, but they’re more complex and expensive to set up and maintain. The right choice depends on your specific situation, the size of your estate, and your family’s needs. We can help you understand which option makes the most sense for your circumstances.

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

Wills Attorney in Woodbury, NY

Protect Your Family's Future Today