Wills, Trusts & Estates

What are wills, trusts & estates?

Wills and estates refer to the broad planning framework by which you define how your assets, business interests, property and personal legacy will be handled after death or if you become incapacitated. A proper estate plan addresses your wishes for asset distribution, guardianship, tax implications, business succession and the administration of your estate through probate or other channels.

Trusts are legal vehicles that hold assets, under defined terms, for the benefit of one or more persons. Trusts can bypass or simplify probate, provide enhanced privacy and control, and help you protect wealth, provide for loved ones with special needs, or prepare for future contingencies.

A comprehensive plan ensures that all of your personal, financial and business affairs are coordinated, your wishes are documented, your beneficiaries are protected, and your legacy is secure — whether you are planning for tomorrow or decades ahead.

Wills & estate planning

Your will is the cornerstone of your estate plan. We help you draft clear, enforceable documents that name your beneficiaries, appoint an executor, provide for minor children or dependents, designate guardians, and outline your wishes for asset distribution and end-of-life arrangements. We also assist with Powers of Attorney (for finances and health care), Living Wills (advance health-care directives), and guidance on probate, estate administration, and business succession. Life changes — marriage, children, business transitions, increased asset complexity — so we make sure your plan evolves with you.

Living trusts

A living (or "inter vivos") trust allows you to place assets into a trust while you're alive and maintain control as trustee or successor trustee. These trusts can streamline administration, reduce or eliminate the need for probate, provide flexibility if you become incapacitated, and offer continuity of management for your assets.

Asset-protection trusts

For business owners, entrepreneurs or individuals with substantial or complex asset portfolios, an asset-protection trust is a specialized trust designed to shield wealth from creditor claims, lawsuits, unforeseen liability, or future tax exposure. We design, implement and administer trusts tailored to your risk profile, goals and family structure, while ensuring legal compliance and strategic alignment with your overall estate plan.

Special needs trusts

If you have loved ones with a disability or long-term care needs, a special needs trust (or supplemental needs trust) ensures they receive financial support without jeopardizing government benefits such as SSI or Medicaid. We work closely with families to establish and administer special needs trusts that care for a beneficiary's quality of life, preserve eligibility for benefits, and provide trusteeship with sensitivity, clarity and fiduciary diligence.

Article 81 guardianship

Article 81 guardianship is a legal process under New York law that allows the court to appoint a guardian to manage the personal needs and/or property of an individual who is unable to care for themselves due to cognitive decline, disability, illness or incapacity. Unlike more rigid guardianship models, Article 81 is highly tailored — granting only the specific powers necessary to protect the individual while preserving as much independence as possible. From evaluating whether guardianship is appropriate to filing the petition, navigating hearings, and helping appointed guardians fulfill their ongoing responsibilities, we bring a compassionate, practical approach to ensuring vulnerable individuals receive the support and dignity they deserve.

Probate & estate administration

Probate and estate administration involve the legal process of settling a person's affairs after death — identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, distributing property to beneficiaries, and ensuring the decedent's wishes are properly carried out. In New York, this process can range from straightforward to highly complex. We assist executors, administrators and families through every step, providing guidance on court filings, fiduciary duties, asset management, and resolving conflicts when necessary. Our goal is to streamline the process, minimize stress, and ensure the estate is handled efficiently, lawfully, and with respect for the decedent's legacy.