Wills Attorney in Franklin Square, NY
Protect Your Family's Future Today
Clear legal guidance when your family’s security depends on getting it right the first time.
Estate Planning Franklin Square NY
Your Family Gets Real Protection
When you have a properly drafted will, your family won’t scramble to figure out what you wanted. They won’t fight over who gets what. They won’t lose half your estate to taxes or legal fees because nobody planned ahead. Your assets go exactly where you intended. Your children are protected by the guardians you chose, not strangers appointed by the court. Your spouse keeps the family home without worrying about creditors or lengthy probate battles. You get peace of mind knowing everything is handled correctly under New York law. Your family gets security, clarity, and the legacy you worked decades to build. No confusion, no family drama, no expensive court proceedings during their time of grief.
Franklin Square Estate Planning Lawyer
We Know Long Island Families
We have been serving Long Island families through their most important legal decisions for years. We understand the unique challenges you face in Franklin Square—protecting your family home from Medicaid recovery, planning for aging parents, and ensuring your children inherit what you’ve built without losing it to taxes. We speak Spanish and Italian because we know many Franklin Square families need legal guidance in their native language. We come to your home, the hospital, or nursing home because we know these conversations shouldn’t wait for a convenient office appointment when health issues arise. Our focus is elder law, estate planning, and the real issues Long Island families deal with every day. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone—we’re specialized in understanding exactly what you’re going through and the local considerations that matter most to your family’s future.
Will Preparation Process Franklin Square
Simple Steps, Complete Protection
First, we meet wherever you’re comfortable—your home, our office, or even the hospital if needed. We’ll discuss your family situation, your assets, and your concerns about the future. No legal jargon, no pressure, just clear questions and honest answers about what matters most to you. Next, we draft your will and any other estate planning documents you need. We explain everything in plain English (or Spanish or Italian) so you understand exactly what each document does and why it matters for your family. You’ll see how your assets will be distributed and who will handle everything. Finally, we handle the proper execution with required witnesses and notarization to ensure everything is legally valid under New York law. We keep copies secure and help you understand when and how to update your will as life changes. Your family gets complete protection, and you get peace of mind that lasts.
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Last Will Testament Franklin Square
Complete Will Drafting Services
Your will covers everything that matters to your family’s future. We help you designate guardians for minor children, distribute your assets according to your wishes, and name an executor you trust to handle everything properly. You decide who gets what, when, and how. In Franklin Square, many families own their homes outright or have significant equity built up over decades. We make sure your real estate transfers smoothly without probate complications that can tie up property for months. We also address retirement accounts, life insurance beneficiaries, and any family business interests. Because Long Island has specific considerations around property taxes, Medicaid planning, and estate recovery, we coordinate your will with other estate planning strategies. Your family gets comprehensive protection that works with New York law and addresses the local circumstances that could affect your estate’s value and distribution.
Do I need a will if I don't have a lot of money?
Yes, absolutely. A will isn’t just about money—it’s about control and protection for your family, regardless of your net worth. Without a will, New York decides who gets your assets, who raises your children, and who handles your affairs. Even if you only have a modest savings account and your family home, those decisions matter enormously to the people you love. The state doesn’t know your family dynamics or your wishes. A will lets you choose guardians for your kids, avoid family fights over sentimental items, and make sure your spouse can stay in the house without legal complications. It’s one of the most important documents you’ll ever sign, and it protects your family’s future regardless of your bank account balance.
How much does it cost to have a will prepared?
The cost depends on your family situation and what you need, but most straightforward wills are much more affordable than people expect—often less than what you’d spend on a family vacation. We believe in transparent pricing and will give you a clear estimate after we understand your needs during our initial consultation. Many families are surprised to learn that proper estate planning costs less than they thought—and far less than the legal problems that happen when someone dies without a will. We also offer payment plans when needed because we know this is essential protection, not a luxury. The real question isn’t what a will costs—it’s what happens to your family if you don’t have one when they need it most.
Can I write my own will instead of hiring an attorney?
You can try, but it’s risky business when your family’s security is at stake. New York has strict requirements for valid wills, and small mistakes can invalidate the entire document. We’ve seen homemade wills that seemed fine but caused major problems later. Missing signatures, improper witnesses, unclear language about assets—these issues turn into expensive court battles for your family when they’re already grieving and dealing with loss. A properly drafted will costs much less than fixing problems later in probate court. When your family’s financial security and your children’s future are on the line, it makes sense to get it right the first time with professional legal help.
What happens if I die without a will in New York?
New York’s intestacy laws decide everything for you, and your family has no say in those decisions—even if they seem unfair or don’t match what you would have wanted. Your assets get distributed according to a rigid formula that might not match your wishes. Your spouse might not get everything, your children might inherit money before they’re mature enough to handle it, and distant relatives could end up with assets you meant for others. The court appoints an administrator to handle your estate, which takes longer and costs more than having an executor you chose. Your family faces months of legal proceedings, court fees, and bureaucratic delays when they should be focusing on healing and moving forward with their lives.
How often should I update my will?
Review your will every few years and update it after major life changes like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in your assets or family circumstances. New York law affects how certain changes work automatically. For example, getting married can revoke parts of an old will, and having children creates new legal obligations for guardianship. Moving to a different state, buying property, or starting a business might also require updates to keep everything current. We recommend checking your will every three to five years to make sure it still reflects your wishes and current circumstances. It’s much easier and less expensive to make small updates regularly than to overhaul everything when problems arise or family situations change dramatically.
Can my family contest my will after I die?
They can try, but a properly drafted will prepared by a skilled attorney makes successful contests very difficult and expensive for anyone challenging it. Will contests usually claim the person lacked mental capacity, was under undue influence, or didn’t follow proper signing procedures. When we prepare your will, we take specific steps to prevent these challenges by ensuring proper witnesses, clear documentation, and full legal compliance with New York requirements. Most will contests fail when the document was prepared by a knowledgeable attorney who followed all state requirements carefully. We also include specific language that discourages frivolous challenges and protects your wishes from family disputes that could drain your estate’s value.
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Distinguished in Elder Law: Awards and Recognition
