Fratello Law

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Estate Planning Attorney in Central Islip, NY

Protect Your Family's Future Today

Comprehensive estate planning that shields your assets and secures your legacy for generations to come.

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Call: 631-406-5580

Central Islip Estate Planning Services

Your Assets Protected, Your Wishes Honored

You’ve worked hard to build what you have. Now it’s time to make sure it goes where you want it to go.

Without proper estate planning, your family faces months of probate court, potential family disputes, and the very real possibility that your assets won’t reach the people you intended. That’s not a legacy anyone wants to leave behind.

With the right estate plan in place, your loved ones skip the courthouse drama and get straight to what matters – healing, remembering, and moving forward with the security you’ve provided for them.

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Trusted Central Islip Estate Planning Lawyers

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 facing Central Islip residents – from protecting the family home to navigating New York’s complex Medicaid system.

Our approach is simple: listen first, explain clearly, and create solutions that actually work for your family. We offer consultations in English, Spanish, and Italian, and we’ll meet you at your home, in the hospital, or at our office – whatever works best for you.

This isn’t about cookie-cutter documents. Every family is different, and your estate plan should reflect that.

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Estate Planning Process Central Islip

Clear Steps, No Surprises

First, we sit down and talk about your family, your assets, and your concerns. This initial consultation is always free, and there’s no pressure to move forward until you’re ready.

Next, we design a plan that fits your specific situation. This might include a will, trust, power of attorney documents, healthcare directives, or asset protection strategies – whatever makes sense for your family.

Finally, we prepare all the legal documents, walk you through each one, and make sure everything is properly executed. We also provide guidance on next steps, like updating beneficiaries and storing important documents safely.

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Comprehensive Estate Planning Central Islip

More Than Just a Will

Your estate plan includes everything needed to protect your family and your assets. We prepare wills, living trusts, power of attorney documents, healthcare proxies, and living wills tailored to New York law.

For Central Islip families, we also focus on asset protection strategies that can help preserve your home and savings from nursing home costs. With Long Island nursing home expenses averaging up to $600,000 for a typical stay, proper Medicaid planning isn’t optional – it’s essential.

We also handle the complexities of multi-generational planning, helping families who want to support their children while protecting assets for their own long-term care needs. This includes special needs planning for families with disabled loved ones who require ongoing government benefits.

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Do I need an estate plan if I don't have a lot of money?

Yes, absolutely. Estate planning isn’t just for wealthy families – it’s for anyone who wants to control what happens to their assets and who makes decisions if they can’t. Without a will, New York decides who gets your property, and it might not be who you’d choose. Even modest assets like a home, car, or bank account can get tied up in probate court for months, leaving your family without access to funds they need. Plus, estate planning includes important documents like healthcare proxies and power of attorney forms that have nothing to do with wealth. These documents ensure someone you trust can make medical and financial decisions if you’re unable to do so yourself.
Estate planning costs vary depending on your specific needs, but most families find it’s much more affordable than they expected. We offer free initial consultations so you can understand your options before making any financial commitment. The cost of not having an estate plan is often much higher. Probate proceedings can cost up to 10% of your estate’s value, and that’s money that comes out of what you’re leaving to your family. We’re transparent about our fees upfront, and we work with families to create payment plans when needed. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is protected is worth far more than the cost of proper planning.
A will is a document that tells the court who should get your assets after you die, but it has to go through probate court first. This means your family waits months for access to your assets, and the process is public record. A trust, on the other hand, can transfer assets to your beneficiaries immediately after your death, without court involvement. Trusts also provide privacy and can offer significant tax advantages and asset protection benefits. For many Central Islip families, a combination of both documents works best. We’ll help you understand which approach makes sense for your specific situation and goals.
Yes, but it requires proper planning, and timing is crucial. New York has a five-year lookback period for Medicaid eligibility, which means any asset transfers must be completed well before you need care. There are several strategies we can use to protect your home, including certain types of trusts and Medicaid planning techniques. However, these strategies must be implemented correctly and with proper legal guidance to be effective. The key is starting this planning while you’re healthy. Once you’re already in need of care, your options become much more limited. That’s why we recommend discussing asset protection as part of your overall estate planning strategy.
You should review your estate plan every three to five years, or whenever you experience a major life change. This includes things like marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, significant changes in assets, or moving to a different state. New York laws also change periodically, and these changes can affect your estate plan’s effectiveness. We stay current on all legal developments and will let you know if updates are needed. We also recommend reviewing your plan if any of the people named in your documents (like executors or trustees) are no longer able to serve in those roles. The goal is to keep your plan current and effective for your family’s needs.
If you die without a will in New York, the state’s intestacy laws determine who gets your assets. This means your property goes to your closest relatives in a specific order set by law, which might not match your wishes. Your assets will also have to go through probate court, which can take months and cost thousands of dollars. During this time, your family won’t have access to your accounts or assets, which can create serious financial hardship. Perhaps most importantly, dying without a will means you haven’t named guardians for minor children or designated who should make decisions about your final arrangements. These decisions will be left to the court system, adding stress and uncertainty during an already difficult time.

Local Resources

Central Islip, NY is located in Suffolk County in New York State