Fratello Law

Estate Planning Attorney in Islandia, NY

Protect Your Family's Future Today

Comprehensive estate planning services with home visits, bilingual support, and personalized attention for Long Island families.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services Islandia

Your Family Protected, Your Wishes Honored

You’ve worked hard to build your life on Long Island. Your home, your savings, your family’s security – these matter. When you work with our estate planning team, you’re not just signing documents. You’re creating a plan that keeps your assets safe from probate delays, protects your family from unnecessary stress, and ensures your wishes are followed exactly as you intended.

The right estate planning means your loved ones won’t face months of court proceedings or family disputes over your estate. Instead, they’ll have clear direction, immediate access to what they need, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing you planned ahead. Your legacy stays with your family, not tied up in legal complications.

Trusted Islandia Estate Planning Lawyers

Local Knowledge, Personal Attention

We’ve served Long Island families since 2012, understanding the unique challenges facing Suffolk County residents. We know what it means to be “house rich and cash poor” on Long Island, where property values are high but fixed incomes can make long-term care planning crucial.

Our team provides estate planning services in both English and Spanish, recognizing the diverse needs of our Islandia community. We’re not a large firm that treats you like a number. We’re your neighbors who understand that estate planning isn’t just about legal documents – it’s about protecting the people you love most.

Estate Planning Process Islandia NY

Simple Steps, Lasting Protection

Your estate planning starts with a free consultation where we listen to your specific situation and concerns. We’ll discuss your assets, your family dynamics, and your goals for the future. No pressure, no sales pitch – just honest conversation about what matters to you.

Next, we create a customized plan that might include wills, trusts, power of attorney documents, and healthcare directives. We explain everything in plain language, so you understand exactly what each document does and why it’s important for your family.

Finally, we handle all the legal requirements and make sure your documents are properly executed and stored. We’re available for questions and updates as your life changes, because good estate planning isn’t a one-time event – it’s an ongoing relationship.

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Estate Planning Services Suffolk County

Complete Protection for Long Island Families

Our estate planning services address the real challenges facing Long Island residents. With nursing home costs averaging up to $600,000 for a three-year stay, proper Medicaid planning can mean the difference between preserving your family’s inheritance and losing everything to healthcare expenses.

We help you navigate New York’s complex estate laws, including the five-year lookback period for Medicaid eligibility. Our services include comprehensive will preparation, trust establishment, power of attorney documents, healthcare proxies, and asset protection strategies designed specifically for Long Island property owners.

Because we understand that mobility can be challenging for many of our clients, we offer home visits, hospital consultations, and nursing home meetings. Your estate planning shouldn’t wait because transportation is difficult – we come to you when you need us most.

How much does estate planning cost in Islandia, NY?

Estate planning costs vary based on your specific needs and the complexity of your situation. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your goals and provide transparent pricing before any work begins. Simple wills may cost less than comprehensive trust-based plans, but we’ll help you understand exactly what you need and why. Many clients find that proper estate planning actually saves money in the long run by avoiding probate costs, reducing estate taxes, and protecting assets from nursing home expenses. We’ll show you the potential costs of not having a plan versus the investment in proper planning.
A will is a document that directs how your assets are distributed after you pass away, but it must go through probate court, which can take months and cost thousands of dollars. A trust, on the other hand, allows your assets to pass directly to your beneficiaries without court involvement, providing privacy and immediate access to funds. For Long Island residents with significant property values, trusts often provide better protection and more flexibility. Trusts can also help with Medicaid planning and asset protection during your lifetime, not just after death. We’ll help you understand which option makes the most sense for your family’s situation.
The best time to start estate planning is now, regardless of your age. If you own property, have minor children, or want to ensure your medical wishes are followed, you need basic estate planning documents. Life is unpredictable, and having a plan in place gives you and your family peace of mind. Many people wait until they’re older or facing health challenges, but that’s actually when options become more limited. Starting early gives you more flexibility and often better asset protection strategies. Even young families benefit from having guardianship provisions for children and basic financial directives in place.
Medicaid planning in New York involves understanding the five-year lookback period, during which any asset transfers are scrutinized. If you need nursing home care and have transferred assets within five years, you may face penalties that delay your Medicaid eligibility. Proper planning helps you protect assets while still qualifying for benefits. There are legal strategies to protect your home and other assets while meeting Medicaid requirements. These include specific types of trusts, spousal protections, and timing strategies that work within New York’s rules. The key is planning before you need care, not after a crisis hits.
Absolutely, and you should update your estate plan regularly. Major life events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in assets should trigger a review of your documents. We recommend reviewing your plan every three to five years, even if nothing major has changed. New York laws also change over time, and what worked when you first created your plan might not be optimal today. We maintain ongoing relationships with our clients and can help you make necessary updates to keep your plan current and effective.
Yes, we understand that getting to our office isn’t always possible, especially for elderly clients or those with mobility challenges. We regularly visit clients at their homes, in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities throughout Suffolk County. Home visits often work better for estate planning because we can see your living situation and better understand your needs. There’s no additional charge for home visits, and we can handle document signing and notarization at your location. We’re committed to making estate planning accessible and convenient for all our clients.