Fratello Law

Estate Planning Attorney in Plainview, NY

Protect Your Family's Future with Confidence

Comprehensive estate planning that safeguards your assets and ensures your wishes are honored, no matter what life brings.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services Plainview

What Peace of Mind Actually Looks Like

Your family won’t have to guess what you wanted. They’ll know exactly who gets what, when, and how because everything is documented clearly and legally.

Your assets stay protected from unnecessary taxes, probate delays, and family disputes. Instead of losing months or years in court, your loved ones can focus on grieving and healing while your estate transfers smoothly.

If you become incapacitated, the people you trust will have the legal authority to make financial and healthcare decisions on your behalf. No emergency court petitions, no family arguments about who’s in charge.

Trusted Plainview Estate Planning Lawyers

Long Island Families Trust Us Because We Get It

We have been serving Long Island families since 2012, and we understand what matters most to Plainview residents. You’ve worked hard to build wealth in one of the most expensive areas in the country, and you want to make sure it’s protected.

We know the unique challenges of Long Island estate planning – from high property values that trigger estate taxes to the complexity of Medicaid planning when nursing home care costs $150,000+ per year. Our team speaks Spanish and Italian, and we’ll meet you at home, in the hospital, or at your assisted living facility because we know life doesn’t always happen in an office.

We’re not a massive law firm where you’re just another case number. We’re a local practice that builds relationships with families across generations, and we take the time to understand your specific situation before recommending any legal strategies.

Estate Planning Process Plainview NY

Here's Exactly How We Protect Your Legacy

We start with a free consultation where we listen to your concerns and learn about your family situation, assets, and goals. No pressure, no sales pitch – just an honest conversation about what you need and what options make sense for your circumstances.

Next, we create a personalized estate plan that addresses your specific needs. This might include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and Medicaid planning strategies. We explain everything in plain English so you understand exactly what each document does and why it’s important.

Finally, we handle all the legal paperwork and make sure everything is properly executed and filed. We also help you update beneficiaries, retitle assets, and take care of any other steps needed to make your plan work. You’ll leave with a complete estate plan and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family is protected.

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Estate Planning Services Plainview NY

Everything You Need to Protect Your Family

Our comprehensive estate planning services include wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and living wills. We also handle Medicaid planning, which is especially important for Long Island families given the high cost of long-term care in Nassau County.

For Plainview residents with significant assets, we provide advanced planning strategies like asset protection trusts and tax minimization techniques. With median home values around $729,100 in the area, many families need sophisticated planning to avoid estate taxes and protect their wealth.

We also focus on special needs planning for families with disabled loved ones, ensuring they can receive care without losing government benefits. Our bilingual services and flexible scheduling make it easy for busy Long Island families to get the legal protection they need without disrupting their lives.

How much does estate planning cost in Plainview, NY?

Estate planning costs vary based on the complexity of your situation and the documents you need. A basic will and power of attorney package typically costs less than a comprehensive plan with multiple trusts and advanced tax planning strategies. We provide transparent pricing upfront after understanding your needs during our free consultation. Many families find that the cost of proper estate planning is far less than what their heirs would pay in probate costs, estate taxes, and legal fees without a plan. Most importantly, we offer payment plans and flexible arrangements because we believe every family deserves quality estate planning, regardless of their current financial situation.
Many Plainview residents benefit from trusts, especially given the high property values in the area. If your total estate (including your home, retirement accounts, and other assets) exceeds $1 million, a trust can help you avoid probate and potentially reduce estate taxes. Trusts are also valuable for Medicaid planning, which is crucial for Long Island families facing nursing home costs that can exceed $150,000 per year. An irrevocable trust can protect your assets while still allowing you to qualify for Medicaid benefits when you need long-term care. Even if you don’t have a large estate, a trust might make sense if you want to maintain privacy, avoid probate delays, or ensure your assets are managed properly if you become incapacitated.
If you die without a will in New York, your assets will be distributed according to state intestacy laws, which may not match your wishes. Your spouse would receive the first $50,000 plus half of the remaining assets, with your children receiving the rest. This process requires probate court supervision, which can take months or years and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees and court costs. Your family will also have no privacy, as probate records are public documents that anyone can access. Without a will, you also can’t name guardians for minor children, choose who manages your estate, or make specific gifts to family members or charities. The court will make these decisions for you, which often leads to family conflicts and outcomes you wouldn’t have wanted.
You should review your estate plan every 3-5 years or after major life changes like marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, significant changes in assets, or moving to a new state. New York estate planning laws also change periodically, which can affect your plan. For Plainview residents, it’s especially important to review your plan when property values change significantly, as this can impact estate tax planning strategies. Changes in federal estate tax exemptions can also affect whether your estate will owe taxes. We recommend scheduling regular check-ins with your estate planning attorney to ensure your plan still meets your needs and takes advantage of any new planning opportunities or law changes that could benefit your family.
Yes, Medicaid planning is a crucial part of our estate planning services, especially for Long Island families. With nursing home costs in Nassau County often exceeding $12,000 per month, most families need strategic planning to protect their assets while qualifying for Medicaid benefits. We help clients establish Medicaid asset protection trusts, properly structure asset transfers, and navigate the complex five-year look-back period. Our goal is to preserve as much of your wealth as possible while ensuring you can access quality long-term care when needed. We also assist with Community Medicaid applications for home care services, which can help you stay in your Plainview home longer while receiving the care you need. Early planning is essential, so we recommend starting these conversations well before you need care.
Absolutely. We understand that estate planning often becomes necessary during difficult times when traveling to an office isn’t convenient or possible. We regularly meet clients at their homes throughout Plainview and the surrounding Long Island area. We also visit clients in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Our goal is to make estate planning as convenient as possible during what can be stressful times for families. All of our home consultations include the same comprehensive service you’d receive in our office, and we bring all necessary documents and equipment to complete your estate planning on-site. There’s no additional charge for home visits within our service area.