Fratello Law

Trust Attorney in Islip, NY

Protect Your Family's Future Today

Stop worrying about what happens to your assets when you’re gone. Our experienced trust attorney helps Islip families secure their legacy and avoid costly probate.

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Living Trust Services Islip

Your Assets Protected, Your Family Secure

When you create a living trust with our team, your family skips the expensive, time-consuming probate process that can drag on for months in New York courts. Your loved ones get direct access to what you’ve worked so hard to build.

No more worrying about court battles or family disputes over your estate. A properly structured trust gives you control over exactly how and when your assets get distributed. Plus, it protects them from creditors and potential lawsuits.

Your peace of mind starts the moment your trust documents are finalized. You’ll know your family is protected, your wishes will be honored, and your legacy remains secure.

Islip Trust Lawyers

Local Professionals Who Actually Care

We’ve been serving Long Island families since 2012, with offices in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We understand the unique challenges Islip residents face – from high property values to complex New York estate laws.

Our team knows that creating a trust isn’t just about legal documents. It’s about protecting the people you love most. That’s why we take time to understand your specific situation and explain everything in plain English.

We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate these decisions. We’re here to help yours too. No legal jargon, no rushed consultations – just honest guidance when you need it most.

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Trust Creation Process Islip

Simple Steps to Secure Your Legacy

First, we sit down for a free consultation to understand your goals, family situation, and concerns. We’ll explain your options and help you determine which type of trust makes the most sense for your circumstances.

Next, we draft your trust documents with precision and care. Every detail matters – from naming trustees to specifying distribution terms. We make sure nothing gets overlooked that could cause problems later.

Finally, we help you fund your trust by transferring your assets properly. This critical step ensures your trust actually works when your family needs it. We guide you through the entire process so you can have confidence everything is done right.

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Asset Protection Trusts Islip

Complete Trust Solutions for Every Need

Whether you need a revocable living trust to avoid probate or an irrevocable trust for tax planning, we create the right solution for your situation. Our services include special needs trusts, Medicaid asset protection trusts, and charitable trusts.

Islip residents face unique challenges with New York’s complex estate laws and high property values. We help you navigate these local considerations while protecting your assets from potential creditors and reducing estate taxes.

Your trust isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone. We also prepare powers of attorney and healthcare directives to protect you if you become incapacitated. Complete protection for every stage of life.

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What's the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust in New York?

A revocable trust lets you maintain control and make changes during your lifetime. You can modify beneficiaries, add or remove assets, and even dissolve the trust completely if your circumstances change. This flexibility makes revocable trusts popular for basic estate planning and probate avoidance. An irrevocable trust, once created, generally cannot be changed. However, this permanence provides significant benefits including asset protection from creditors and potential estate tax savings. In New York, we can sometimes modify irrevocable trusts with proper legal procedures and family consent. The choice depends on your specific goals – whether you prioritize flexibility or maximum asset protection and tax benefits. Most families start with revocable trusts and add irrevocable trusts later for advanced planning.
Trust creation costs vary based on complexity, but most families find the investment far less expensive than the probate costs their heirs would face without proper planning. Simple revocable trusts typically cost less than complex irrevocable trusts with multiple beneficiaries and special provisions. We provide transparent pricing upfront after understanding your specific needs during your free consultation. No hidden fees or surprise charges – you’ll know exactly what to expect before we begin any work. Remember, the cost of not having a trust often far exceeds the cost of creating one. Probate in New York can cost thousands of dollars and take months or years to complete. A trust eliminates these costs entirely.
Yes, a properly funded living trust allows your assets to pass directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate court. This means faster distribution, lower costs, and complete privacy for your family. No court supervision, no public records, no delays. The key is proper funding – actually transferring your assets into the trust. Real estate, bank accounts, investments, and other assets must be retitled in the trust’s name. We guide you through this process to ensure nothing gets missed. Assets not properly transferred to your trust may still go through probate, which is why working with experienced attorneys is crucial for complete probate avoidance. We provide detailed funding instructions and ongoing support.
Without proper planning, your family would need to petition the court for guardianship to manage your affairs. This process is expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally difficult for your loved ones during an already stressful time. Court proceedings become public record. A revocable trust with proper successor trustee provisions allows someone you choose to step in immediately and manage your assets according to your wishes. No court involvement, no delays, no public proceedings. Your chosen trustee can pay bills, manage investments, and handle financial matters seamlessly. We also prepare financial powers of attorney and healthcare directives as part of comprehensive trust planning, ensuring you’re protected in every scenario where you cannot make decisions for yourself. Complete incapacity protection.
Special needs trusts allow you to provide for a disabled family member without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid or Social Security. The trust pays for supplemental needs not covered by government programs – things like entertainment, travel, or special equipment. There are two types: first-party trusts funded with the disabled person’s own assets, and third-party trusts funded by family members. Each has different rules about what happens to remaining assets when the beneficiary dies. First-party trusts must repay Medicaid, while third-party trusts can pass to other family members. Proper drafting is critical because mistakes can disqualify your loved one from essential benefits. We ensure your special needs trust complies with all federal and New York state requirements while maximizing benefits for your family member.
Medicaid asset protection trusts can help protect your assets from long-term care costs, but they require careful planning and timing. Assets must be transferred to the trust at least five years before applying for Medicaid to avoid penalties under New York’s look-back rules. You can retain certain benefits like receiving income from trust assets while still protecting the principal from Medicaid recovery. However, these trusts are irrevocable, so you give up direct control over the assets. The trade-off is significant asset protection. The earlier you plan, the more options you have. We help families navigate New York’s complex Medicaid rules to develop strategies that protect assets while ensuring access to necessary care. Timing is everything with Medicaid planning.

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