Fratello Law

Wills Attorney in Coram, NY

Stop Leaving Your Family's Future to Chance

Get the peace of mind that comes with a legally sound will that protects your loved ones and ensures your wishes are followed exactly.

Estate Planning Wills Coram

Your Family Gets Exactly What You Intended

When you have a properly drafted will, your family avoids the chaos that comes with New York’s intestate succession laws. Your assets go exactly where you want them—not where the state decides they should go.

Your children get the guardians you’ve carefully chosen, not court-appointed strangers who don’t know your family. Your spouse inherits according to your wishes, not the state’s formula that could leave them with far less than you intended.

No more family disputes over who gets what. No more lengthy probate delays while courts sort through your affairs. Just clear, legally binding instructions that protect your legacy and give your loved ones the security they deserve during their most difficult time.

Trusted Wills Lawyer Coram

Deep Local Roots, Proven Results

We have been serving Long Island families since 2012, with offices in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We understand the unique needs of Coram homeowners—from protecting multi-generational family properties to navigating Long Island’s complex estate planning landscape.

Our team speaks your language, literally. We offer bilingual services in Spanish and Italian, ensuring every family member understands their estate planning options completely.

We know that dealing with estate planning isn’t convenient. That’s why we come to you—offering home visits, hospital consultations, and nursing home meetings. We’re available early mornings and after hours because life doesn’t stop for office schedules.

Will Preparation Process Coram

Three Simple Steps to Secure Your Legacy

First, we sit down with you to understand your family situation, your assets, and your specific wishes. We’ll discuss who you want to inherit what, who should serve as your executor, and who you’d choose as guardians for any minor children. This isn’t a rushed process—we take the time to understand what matters most to your family.

Next, we draft your will using language that’s both legally bulletproof and crystal clear. We make sure every detail is covered—from your Coram home and bank accounts to your personal belongings and digital assets. We’ve seen too many families struggle with poorly written wills that don’t accomplish what the person intended.

Finally, we handle the proper execution with witnesses and notarization according to New York law. We’ll also discuss how to store your will safely and when you might need updates as your life changes. You’ll leave knowing your family is protected.

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Legal Will Services Coram

Complete Will Drafting for Long Island Families

Your will includes everything needed to protect your Coram family’s future. We designate your chosen executor, name guardians for minor children, and specify exactly how your assets should be distributed. We also address specific Long Island considerations that many attorneys miss.

Many Coram families own homes that have been in their families for generations. Others are caring for aging parents while planning for their own children’s futures. We understand these local realities and address them in every will we draft—from protecting family properties to coordinating with Medicaid planning.

We also coordinate with your other estate planning documents—powers of attorney, health care proxies, and any trusts you might need. This ensures your entire estate plan works together seamlessly, giving you comprehensive protection that covers every aspect of your family’s future.

What happens if I die without a will in New York?

If you die without a will in New York, your assets will be distributed according to the state’s intestate succession laws, not your personal wishes. This means if you’re married with children, your spouse gets the first $50,000 plus half of the remaining assets, while your children split the other half. This formula might not match what you actually want for your family. This creates problems you never intended. Your spouse might not get enough to maintain their lifestyle or keep the family home. Assets might go to relatives you wouldn’t have chosen, or children might inherit money before they’re mature enough to handle it responsibly. The process takes longer and costs more because the court has to sort through everything without your guidance. Your family faces unnecessary stress, potential conflicts, and legal expenses during an already difficult time. A simple will prevents all of this.
Your executor should be someone you trust completely who’s organized, responsible, and willing to take on the job. Many Coram families choose an adult child, spouse, or close family friend who lives nearby and understands their wishes. Proximity matters because your executor will need to handle local matters like property management and court appearances. Consider practical factors too. Your executor will need to locate assets, pay debts, file tax returns, and distribute inheritances. They should be comfortable handling financial matters and dealing with banks, insurance companies, and government agencies. They don’t need to be financial experts, but they should be detail-oriented and trustworthy. It’s smart to name a backup executor in case your first choice can’t serve. You should also discuss the role with your chosen executor beforehand to make sure they’re willing and understand what’s involved. This prevents surprises and ensures they’re prepared for the responsibility.
Update your will whenever major life changes occur. Marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, and the death of beneficiaries or your executor all require will updates. Moving to a new state, acquiring significant new assets like real estate, or starting a business also warrant revisions. In New York, you should also review your will if tax laws change or if your family relationships shift significantly. Sometimes people want to add or remove beneficiaries, change guardian designations, or update their executor choice based on new circumstances. We recommend reviewing your will every three to five years even if nothing major has changed. This ensures it still reflects your current wishes and takes advantage of any new legal strategies that might benefit your family. Regular reviews also help you catch any issues before they become problems.
While New York allows you to write your own will, working with an experienced wills attorney protects you from costly mistakes that could invalidate your will or create family disputes. DIY wills often have problems with witness requirements, unclear language, or missing provisions that can make them legally worthless. A lawyer ensures your will meets all New York legal requirements and addresses issues you might not think of. We help you plan for contingencies, coordinate with other estate planning documents, and use language that clearly expresses your intentions without ambiguity. The cost of professional will preparation is small compared to the problems and expenses your family could face if a homemade will fails. We’ve seen too many families struggle with poorly drafted wills that don’t accomplish what the person intended, creating exactly the chaos they were trying to avoid.
A will distributes your assets after you die and goes through probate court, while a trust can hold and distribute assets both during your lifetime and after death, often avoiding probate entirely. Trusts typically provide more privacy and can offer tax advantages, but they’re also more complex and expensive to create and maintain. For many Coram families, a will is the right choice because it’s simpler, less expensive, and easier to understand. Trusts make more sense for larger estates, complex family situations, or when you want to control how and when beneficiaries receive their inheritance over time. We help you decide which approach works best for your specific situation. Sometimes a combination of both tools provides the most comprehensive protection. The key is understanding your goals and choosing the strategy that accomplishes them most effectively without unnecessary complexity.
Will preparation costs vary based on your situation’s complexity, but the investment is minimal compared to the problems your family could face without proper planning. Simple wills for straightforward situations cost less than complex estates with multiple properties, businesses, or blended families requiring special provisions. We provide transparent pricing upfront after understanding your needs during your free initial consultation. There’s never a fee for that first meeting, so you can learn about your options without any financial commitment. We also offer payment plans to make estate planning accessible for all Long Island families. Consider that the cost of probate, family disputes, and legal problems from not having a will far exceeds the cost of proper preparation. We’ve helped families save thousands in probate costs and prevented countless disputes through proper planning. The peace of mind alone is worth the investment.