Fratello Law

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Estate Planning Attorney in West Hills, NY

Protect Your Legacy Before It's Too Late

Comprehensive estate planning that shields your $737,800+ home from nursing home costs and ensures your family’s financial security.

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Call: 631-406-5580

West Hills Estate Planning Services

Your Assets Protected, Your Wishes Honored

You’ve spent decades building your West Hills home and savings. The last thing you want is to lose it all to nursing home costs or leave your family fighting over your wishes.

When Long Island families work with us, they get more than documents – they get peace of mind. Your home stays protected through properly structured trusts. Your healthcare wishes get honored through comprehensive directives. Your family knows exactly what you want because everything is clear and legally binding.

No more sleepless nights wondering if you’ve done enough. No more confusion about Medicaid rules or New York estate laws. Just solid protection for what matters most.

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Experienced West Hills Estate Planning Lawyers

Long Island Attorneys Who Get It Right

We’ve been protecting Long Island families since 2012, with offices in both Smithtown and Syosset. We understand what West Hills residents face – protecting high-value homes, navigating Suffolk County requirements, and planning for an uncertain future.

We meet you where you’re comfortable, whether that’s our office, your home, or even the hospital. We speak Spanish and Italian, and we never charge for initial consultations because we believe everyone deserves to understand their options.

TBR News Media readers voted us the Best North Shore, Suffolk County Law Firm. That recognition comes from doing one thing consistently: putting your family’s future first.

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Estate Planning Process in West Hills

Three Steps to Complete Protection

First, we listen. In your free consultation, we’ll discuss your assets, family situation, and concerns. We want to understand what keeps you up at night and what you hope to accomplish.

Second, we strategize. We’ll explain your options in plain English – no legal jargon, no pressure. Whether you need basic documents or complex asset protection trusts, we’ll recommend what actually fits your situation and budget.

Third, we execute. We’ll prepare your documents, guide you through proper signing, and make sure everything is legally binding. Then we’ll review your plan periodically to ensure it still serves your changing needs.

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Comprehensive Estate Planning in West Hills

Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't

Your estate plan includes all essential documents: wills, trusts, power of attorney, healthcare directives, and living wills. But we focus on what matters most to West Hills families.

With median home values of $737,800, asset protection isn’t optional – it’s essential. We’ll structure irrevocable trusts that shield your property from nursing home costs while letting you continue living in and benefiting from your home.

We also handle complex Medicaid applications, helping you qualify for benefits while preserving wealth for your spouse and children. Our team knows New York’s specific look-back periods and transfer rules, so you can plan with confidence rather than hope.

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How can I protect my West Hills home from nursing home costs?

The most effective protection comes from a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. This irrevocable trust removes your home from countable assets for Medicaid purposes while still allowing you to live in it and benefit from any appreciation. New York has a five-year look-back period for Medicaid applications. Any transfers must be completed at least five years before applying for benefits. The sooner you act, the more options you have. We help West Hills families structure these trusts properly, ensuring they meet all legal requirements while providing maximum protection for your most valuable asset. The process is straightforward when handled correctly from the start.
A will only works after you die and must go through probate court, which takes months and becomes public record. A trust protects you during your lifetime and transfers assets immediately upon death without court involvement. For West Hills residents with substantial assets, trusts offer privacy, faster distribution to heirs, and potential tax savings. They also provide protection if you become incapacitated, allowing your chosen trustee to manage affairs without court intervention. The most effective estate plans typically include both documents, with the will handling items not covered by the trust and naming guardians for minor children. We’ll help you determine what combination works best for your situation.
Start before you need it. With New York’s five-year look-back period, any asset transfers must be completed well in advance of applying for benefits. Waiting until you face a health crisis severely limits your options. If you’re healthy and in your 60s or 70s, now is the perfect time to implement asset protection strategies. If you’re already facing health issues, we can still help with crisis Medicaid planning, though your choices will be more constrained. We work with many West Hills families to create plans that protect assets while ensuring Medicaid qualification when needed. The key is starting the conversation while you still have time to implement effective strategies.
Costs vary based on your situation’s complexity and the documents you need. Basic wills and power of attorney packages cost less than comprehensive trust planning with asset protection features. We provide free initial consultations to assess your needs and offer transparent pricing before you commit. Most families find that proper planning costs far less than the potential losses from inadequate preparation. Consider that the median West Hills home value is $737,800. Protecting that asset alone makes estate planning a smart investment, not to mention the peace of mind it provides for you and your family.
Without proper documents like power of attorney and healthcare proxy, your family must go to court to have someone appointed as your guardian. This process is expensive, time-consuming, and public. The court might not choose the person you would have wanted, and they’ll face ongoing oversight requirements. Your family will experience delays accessing your accounts, making healthcare decisions, and managing your affairs. With proper estate planning documents, your chosen agent can step in immediately to handle finances and healthcare decisions according to your wishes, avoiding court involvement entirely. The difference is night and day.
Online forms can’t account for New York’s specific laws or your unique family situation. Estate planning mistakes can be costly and sometimes impossible to fix after you’re gone or incapacitated. New York has particular requirements for document execution, witness signatures, and notarization. A simple error can invalidate your entire plan. Additionally, online forms don’t provide the strategic planning needed for asset protection or Medicaid qualification. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney ensures your documents are legally valid, properly executed, and designed to achieve your specific goals. The cost of professional guidance is minimal compared to the potential consequences of do-it-yourself planning.

Local Resources

West Hills, NY is located in Suffolk County in New York State