Fratello Law

Wills Attorney in Upper Brookville, NY

Protect Your Legacy with Precision

Your family’s future depends on decisions you make today. Get personalized wills and estate planning that actually protects what matters most.

Estate Planning Attorney Upper Brookville

Your Wishes, Clearly Documented and Legally Protected

You’ve worked hard to build your life in Upper Brookville. Your estate plan should reflect that same level of care and attention to detail. A properly drafted will does more than distribute assets. It protects your family from lengthy probate proceedings, reduces estate taxes, and ensures your children have the guardians you choose. Without clear documentation, New York’s intestate laws decide who gets what—and those decisions rarely match what you actually want.

Our clients gain peace of mind knowing their wishes are documented clearly, their assets are protected from unnecessary taxes and delays, and their families won’t face confusion or conflict during an already difficult time.

Long Island Wills Lawyer

Experience That Serves Upper Brookville Families

We have been serving Long Island families since 2012, with over 120 years of combined legal experience among our attorneys. We understand the unique needs of Upper Brookville residents—from protecting substantial assets to ensuring family legacies pass smoothly to the next generation.

As a boutique firm, we provide the personalized attention that larger practices simply can’t offer. We speak Spanish and Italian, and we’ll meet you at home, in the hospital, or at our office—whatever works best for your family’s situation.

Upper Brookville families trust us because we take time to understand your specific circumstances, explain your options clearly, and create estate plans that actually work when they’re needed most.

Will Preparation Process Upper Brookville

A Clear Path from Consultation to Completion

We start with a comprehensive consultation to understand your family situation, assets, and goals. This isn’t a rushed appointment—we take time to discuss your concerns and answer your questions thoroughly.

Next, we analyze your assets, from real estate and investment accounts to personal property and business interests. We’ll identify potential tax implications and recommend strategies to protect your wealth while ensuring your wishes are honored.

Finally, we draft your will and supporting documents with precision. Every detail is reviewed to ensure legal compliance and clarity. We’ll walk you through each section, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure you’re completely comfortable with your estate plan before you sign.

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Comprehensive Will Services Upper Brookville

More Than Just Basic Will Drafting

Your will is just one piece of a comprehensive estate plan. We help Upper Brookville families create complete strategies that include powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and trust structures when appropriate.

Given Upper Brookville’s status as one of New York’s wealthiest communities, many of our clients need sophisticated planning to minimize estate taxes and protect assets from probate. We work closely with your accountant and financial advisor to ensure your estate plan integrates seamlessly with your overall financial strategy.

Our services include guardian designation for minor children, executor selection and guidance, asset protection strategies, and ongoing plan updates as your life circumstances change. We understand that wealthy families often have complex situations requiring careful attention to detail and privacy.

How long does it take to create a will in Upper Brookville, NY?

Most straightforward wills can be completed within 2-3 weeks from your initial consultation. However, the timeline depends on the complexity of your estate and how quickly you can provide necessary information. For Upper Brookville residents with substantial assets, investment properties, or business interests, the process may take 4-6 weeks to ensure all details are properly addressed. We never rush this process because precision is critical—a poorly drafted will can create expensive problems for your family later. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during your consultation based on your specific situation. Our goal is thoroughness, not speed, because your family’s future depends on getting this right.
If you die without a will in New York, your assets will be distributed according to the state’s intestate succession laws, not your personal wishes. This means the court decides who gets what based on a predetermined formula. Your spouse would receive the first $50,000 plus half of the remaining estate if you have children. Your children would split the other half. If you have no spouse, your children inherit everything equally. If you have no children, your parents inherit, and so on down the line. This rarely matches what people actually want. You might want to leave more to your spouse, provide for stepchildren, exclude certain relatives, or leave gifts to charity. Without a will, none of these preferences matter—the state’s formula controls everything.
Will preparation costs vary based on the complexity of your estate and the documents needed. A basic will for a straightforward situation typically ranges from $500-$1,500, while comprehensive estate plans for complex situations can range from $2,000-$5,000 or more. Upper Brookville residents often need more sophisticated planning due to substantial assets, multiple properties, or business interests. We provide transparent pricing during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect—no surprise fees or hidden costs. We also offer free initial consultations to discuss your needs and provide a clear fee estimate. Many clients find that proper estate planning actually saves money by avoiding probate costs, reducing taxes, and preventing family disputes that can lead to expensive litigation.
Yes, you can update your will at any time while you’re mentally competent. In fact, we recommend reviewing your will every 3-5 years or after major life changes like marriage, divorce, birth of children, significant asset changes, or relocation. Updates can be made through a codicil (amendment) for minor changes or by creating an entirely new will for major revisions. We help you determine the most appropriate approach based on the scope of changes needed. Life in Upper Brookville often involves changing financial circumstances, property acquisitions, or family situations that require will updates. We maintain ongoing relationships with our clients to ensure their estate plans remain current and effective as their lives evolve.
Many Upper Brookville residents benefit from trusts in addition to wills, especially those with substantial assets, multiple properties, or complex family situations. Trusts can help avoid probate, provide privacy, reduce estate taxes, and offer more control over asset distribution. A revocable living trust allows you to manage assets during your lifetime and provides seamless transfer to beneficiaries after death without court involvement. Irrevocable trusts can protect assets from estate taxes and provide long-term care planning benefits. We analyze your specific situation during our consultation to determine whether trusts would benefit your estate plan. The decision depends on factors like asset value, family dynamics, tax considerations, and your privacy preferences. Not everyone needs a trust, but for many wealthy families, they’re an essential planning tool.
Bring a list of all your assets including real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, and valuable personal property. Also bring information about any debts, business interests, and existing estate planning documents. Think about who you want as beneficiaries, executors, and guardians for minor children. Consider alternate choices in case your first choices are unavailable. If you have specific wishes about asset distribution or funeral arrangements, bring those notes too. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything perfectly organized—we’ll help you work through the details during our consultation. The most important thing is getting started. We can always gather additional information as needed to complete your estate plan properly.