Fratello Law

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Free Estate Planning Consultation
Free Estate Planning Consultation

Estate Planning Attorney in Upper Brookville, NY

Protect Your Family's Future With Confidence

Comprehensive estate planning that preserves your wealth, protects your legacy, and provides peace of mind for Upper Brookville families.

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Call: 631-406-5580

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services Upper Brookville

What Proper Planning Actually Delivers

Your estate plan isn’t just paperwork—it’s your family’s financial security when you can’t be there to provide it yourself. With proper planning, your assets stay protected from unnecessary taxes, creditor claims, and the lengthy probate process that can tie up your family’s inheritance for years.

You get clear documentation that ensures your healthcare and financial decisions are made by people you trust, not strangers in a courtroom. Your family avoids the stress of guessing your wishes during already difficult times.

Most importantly, you maintain control over your legacy. Your wealth transfers to the people and causes you care about most, in the way you intended, without government interference or family disputes.

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Trusted Estate Planning Lawyers Upper Brookville

Local Expertise You Can Count On

We have been serving Long Island families for years, building relationships that span generations. We understand the unique challenges facing Upper Brookville residents—from protecting substantial assets to navigating New York’s complex estate tax laws.

Our approach is straightforward: we take time to understand your specific situation, explain your options clearly, and create a plan that actually works for your family. We offer consultations in our office, at your home, or via video call, because we know your time is valuable.

We’re not just your attorneys during the planning process—we’re here for the long term, helping your family through life changes and ensuring your plan stays current with your goals.

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Estate Planning Process Upper Brookville NY

A Clear Path From Start to Finish

First, we meet with you to understand your family situation, assets, and goals. This initial consultation is always free, and we’ll explain exactly what documents you need and why.

Next, we design your estate plan. This might include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and asset protection strategies tailored to your specific needs. We explain each component in plain language so you understand exactly what you’re signing.

Then we prepare all documents with careful attention to New York law requirements. We coordinate the signing process, ensure proper witnessing and notarization, and help you implement any necessary asset transfers.

Finally, we provide ongoing support. Laws change, families grow, and circumstances evolve. We’re here to update your plan as needed and guide your family through any questions that arise.

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Estate Planning Attorney Services Upper Brookville

Complete Protection for Your Family's Future

Your estate plan includes comprehensive documentation: wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, healthcare proxies, and living wills. We also handle asset protection planning, Medicaid planning, and special needs trusts when appropriate.

For Upper Brookville families, we pay special attention to tax planning strategies. With New York’s estate tax exemption differing from federal levels, proper planning can save your family significant money. We structure your plan to minimize both state and federal tax burdens.

We also address the practical realities of wealth management in Nassau County. This includes protecting your assets from potential creditor claims, planning for long-term care costs that can reach $600,000 for a three-year nursing home stay, and ensuring your family business transitions smoothly to the next generation.

Our bilingual services in Spanish and Italian serve Upper Brookville’s diverse community, and we provide home visits for clients who prefer the convenience of meeting in familiar surroundings.

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How much does estate planning cost for Upper Brookville families?

Estate planning costs vary based on your specific needs and the complexity of your situation. A basic estate plan with wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives typically costs less than a comprehensive plan with multiple trusts and advanced tax planning strategies. We provide transparent pricing upfront during your free consultation. For Upper Brookville families with substantial assets, the cost of proper planning is minimal compared to the taxes, legal fees, and family disputes you’ll avoid. Most clients find that good estate planning pays for itself many times over. We offer flexible payment options and never charge for initial consultations, so you can understand your options without any financial commitment.
A will alone isn’t sufficient for most Upper Brookville families. While wills are important, they require probate—a court process that can take 1-2 years and cost thousands of dollars in legal fees. During probate, your family’s financial information becomes public record. Trusts avoid probate entirely. Your assets transfer immediately to your beneficiaries without court involvement. For families with substantial assets, trusts also provide better tax planning opportunities and protection from creditor claims. Additionally, trusts provide incapacity planning that wills cannot. If you become unable to manage your affairs, a properly structured trust ensures your assets are managed according to your wishes without requiring court-appointed guardianship.
Medicaid planning should begin at least five years before you anticipate needing long-term care. This is because of Medicaid’s five-year “look-back” period, which examines all asset transfers during that time. For Upper Brookville residents, this planning is crucial because nursing home costs on Long Island can exceed $200,000 annually. Without proper planning, these costs can quickly deplete even substantial estates. Early planning allows us to use legitimate strategies like asset protection trusts, which can preserve your wealth while still qualifying you for Medicaid benefits when needed. The key is starting before you need care, when you have the most options available.
Without an estate plan, New York’s intestacy laws determine who receives your assets. This might not align with your wishes, especially in blended families or if you want to leave assets to non-relatives. Your family will face probate court, which can take 1-2 years and cost thousands in legal fees. During this time, your assets may be frozen, creating financial hardship for your loved ones. Most critically, without proper healthcare directives and powers of attorney, your family may need to petition the court for guardianship if you become incapacitated. This is expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally difficult during an already stressful time.
You should review your estate plan every 3-5 years or after major life events like marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant changes in your financial situation. New York estate tax laws also change periodically, requiring plan updates. For Upper Brookville families, we recommend more frequent reviews because of the complexity of high-net-worth planning. Tax laws, investment values, and family circumstances all affect your plan’s effectiveness. We provide ongoing support to our clients, monitoring law changes that might affect your plan and reaching out when updates are needed. This ensures your plan remains current and effective throughout your lifetime.
Yes, we regularly help Upper Brookville business owners with succession planning, which is crucial for preserving both your business and family wealth. Business succession planning ensures your company continues operating smoothly while minimizing taxes for your heirs. This typically involves strategies like buy-sell agreements, key person insurance, and specialized trusts designed for business assets. We also address the unique challenges of family businesses, including how to treat children who work in the business versus those who don’t. For professional practices and closely-held companies, we coordinate with your accountant and financial advisor to ensure your business succession plan integrates seamlessly with your overall estate plan. This comprehensive approach protects both your business legacy and your family’s financial future.

Local Resources

Upper Brookville, NY is located in Nassau County in New York State