Fratello Law

Trust Attorney in Babylon, NY

Protect Your Family's Future Today

Your assets deserve protection that lasts generations. We create trusts that safeguard your wealth, bypass probate, and give you control over your legacy.

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Living Trust Creation Services

What Your Trust Actually Accomplishes

You’ll sleep better knowing your assets are protected from creditors, lawsuits, and the expensive probate process. Your family gets privacy, not public court records. Your disabled loved ones keep their government benefits while still inheriting your wealth.

Most importantly, you maintain control. You decide who gets what, when they get it, and under what conditions. No surprises, no family fights, no lengthy court battles eating up your hard-earned money.

When you become incapacitated, your chosen trustee steps in immediately. No court petitions, no expensive guardianship proceedings, no delays when your family needs access to funds for your care.

Babylon Trust Planning Attorneys

We Know Long Island Families

We have served Long Island families for over a decade, helping them navigate the unique challenges of protecting assets in one of the nation’s most expensive regions. We understand that your $800,000 Babylon home isn’t just property—it’s your family’s security.

Our bilingual team speaks Spanish and Italian, reflecting the diverse communities we serve. We offer home visits because we know that discussing your family’s future shouldn’t require you to travel when you’re dealing with illness or disability.

We’re not a factory law firm. Every trust we create is tailored to your specific situation, whether you’re planning for Medicaid eligibility, protecting a special needs child, or ensuring your business survives to the next generation.

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Trust Creation Process

How We Build Your Trust

First, we meet for a free consultation to understand your goals, family dynamics, and assets. We’ll discuss whether a revocable living trust, irrevocable trust, or asset protection trust best serves your needs.

Next, we draft your trust documents with precise language that accomplishes your objectives. We handle all the technical requirements—proper execution, funding instructions, and tax considerations that many attorneys overlook.

Finally, we help you transfer your assets into the trust. This includes retitling your Babylon home, bank accounts, and investments. We don’t just hand you documents; we ensure your trust actually works when you need it.

Throughout the process, we explain everything in plain English. You’ll understand exactly what you’re signing and why each provision matters for your family’s future.

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Babylon Asset Protection Planning

Protecting Your Long Island Assets

Long Island residents face unique challenges. With average home values exceeding $600,000 in Babylon and nursing home costs reaching $600,000 for a three-year stay, proper planning isn’t optional—it’s essential.

We create Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts that protect your home from nursing home costs while allowing you to live there for life. Our special needs trusts ensure disabled family members keep their government benefits while inheriting your assets.

For business owners, we structure trusts that protect your company from personal creditors while providing tax advantages. Multi-state property owners benefit from our experience handling assets across different jurisdictions.

Every trust includes provisions for Long Island’s specific legal requirements, from Suffolk County real estate laws to New York’s strict trust execution rules. We ensure your trust meets all local and state requirements.

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How much does it cost to set up a trust in Babylon, NY?

Trust costs vary based on complexity, but most living trusts range from $2,500 to $5,000. Asset protection trusts typically cost $3,500 to $7,500. This investment often saves families tens of thousands in probate costs and provides invaluable asset protection. We provide transparent pricing during your free consultation. There are no hidden fees, and we explain exactly what’s included in our services. Many clients find that the peace of mind and long-term savings far outweigh the initial cost. Remember, the cost of not having a trust can be devastating. Probate in New York can cost 3-5% of your estate value, plus months or years of court proceedings. A $600,000 Babylon home could generate $18,000-$30,000 in probate costs alone.
A revocable trust allows you to maintain complete control—you can change beneficiaries, add or remove assets, or dissolve the trust entirely. You serve as trustee during your lifetime and can access all assets freely. However, assets remain part of your taxable estate and aren’t protected from creditors. Irrevocable trusts provide stronger asset protection and tax benefits, but you give up direct control. Once established, changes require court approval or beneficiary consent. Assets are removed from your taxable estate and protected from most creditors and lawsuits. The choice depends on your priorities. If flexibility is most important, choose revocable. If asset protection and tax savings matter more, irrevocable trusts offer superior benefits. Many clients use both types for different assets and goals.
Absolutely. With a revocable living trust, you maintain complete control and can live in your home exactly as before. You can sell, refinance, or modify the property without restrictions. The trust doesn’t change your day-to-day life. Even with certain irrevocable trusts, you can retain lifetime use of your home. Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, for example, allow you to live in your house for life while protecting it from nursing home costs. You maintain homestead exemptions and can continue claiming property tax deductions. The key is proper trust design. We structure trusts to preserve your lifestyle while achieving your protection goals. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your quality of life to protect your assets.
Most trusts are completed within 2-4 weeks from our initial meeting. Simple revocable trusts can be ready in 1-2 weeks, while complex asset protection trusts may take 3-6 weeks depending on the assets involved. The timeline depends on how quickly you provide necessary information and review drafts. We expedite urgent situations, such as when someone is entering a nursing home or facing immediate creditor issues. After signing, we help you fund the trust by transferring assets. Real estate transfers typically take 1-2 weeks, while financial accounts can be retitled within days. We coordinate with your banks and financial institutions to ensure smooth transfers.
Your successor trustee takes over immediately and begins distributing assets according to your instructions. There’s no probate court involvement, no public records, and no delays. Your family gets privacy and efficiency during a difficult time. The trustee follows your specific distribution instructions—whether that’s immediate distribution to adult children, staggered payments over time, or continued trust management for minor beneficiaries. You control the timing and conditions of each inheritance. For ongoing trusts, professional management continues until the trust terminates according to your terms. This might be when beneficiaries reach certain ages, achieve specific milestones, or when the trust assets are fully distributed. Your wishes are carried out exactly as you intended.
A will alone subjects your estate to probate—a public, expensive, and time-consuming court process. In New York, probate typically takes 8-18 months and costs thousands of dollars. Your family’s financial affairs become public record, and creditors have extended time to file claims. Trusts bypass probate entirely. Your assets transfer privately and immediately to beneficiaries. There are no court fees, no public disclosure, and no lengthy waiting periods. For most Long Island families, this privacy and efficiency is invaluable. You still need a will even with a trust, but it becomes a simple “pour-over” will that handles any assets not transferred to the trust. The combination provides comprehensive protection while maintaining simplicity for your family.

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