Preparing a will gives you peace of mind by knowing that your assets and legacy will be taken care of according to your wishes after you’re gone. By consulting with our knowledgeable  NYC estate planning attorneys now, you can be sure that your affairs are in order and that your loved ones are spared any undue estate management burdens.

Estate planning is most effective when your attorney takes the time to understand your individual needs and goals. The NYC will lawyers at Pierro, Connor & Strauss create custom-tailored solutions to help achieve your objectives.

Why You Need a Will

Your last will and testament enable you to decide what happens to your assets after you die. If you do not have a will, your estate will be settled according to default rules that the New York Surrogate Court will apply, naming an administrator who may or may not act in accordance with how you might have preferred your assets to be distributed.

In addition, a will:

  • Reduces stress on your heirs and saves them time, money, and other resources
  • Allows you to identify and name the person or persons that you want to manage your estate
  • Gives you control over who does and who does not receive any of your assets and property
  • Enables you to name a guardian for your minor children
  • Directs the management of your digital assets and online accounts
  • Alleviates interfamily squabbling and disputes
  • Allows you make final legacy gifts to your favorite charities
  • Instructs your survivors on how to manage your funeral and internment
  • Provides an opportunity for you to take care of your pets
  • Addresses taxation issues that can erode the value of your estate

Whether you live in one of the five boroughs, the greater New York City Metropolitan region or on Long Island, consult with our experienced New York City Will attorneys for more information about the potential advantages of estate planning, including the establishment of wills and trusts.

Contact us today for a FREE consultation

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What to Include in Your Will

At a minimum, your will should address:

  • Your significant assets, including cars, jewelry, bank accounts, digital assets, stocks, bonds, other financial instruments, real estate, and any personal property that you might want to specifically allocate to certain heirs.
  • Your outstanding debts, with instructions on how those debts should be paid out of your estate’s assets.
  • The beneficiaries of your estate, and who you want to receive certain assets such as life insurance, annuities, stocks, Roth and 401k accounts.
  • Who you want as the guardian or trustee for your minor children.
  • The person who will act as executor or administrator of your estate to verify that it is settled and distributed strictly according to your desires.

A NYC will lawyer can provide a questionnaire and checklist to verify that you are not omitting any critical information when you are deciding on how you want your estate to be administered.

Tips for Your Estate Plan

The specific circumstances of your estate will determine which planning tools will be best for achieving your unique objectives. Certain factors, however, are common to almost all estate planning:

  • Determine what expertise you need to manage your assets (g., accounting, tax and financial, legal, etc.), and identify the parties that you want as your estate planning team.
  • Outline and include your end-of-life desires on detailed legal documents, including an advanced healthcare directive, a medical care directive or living will, a financial durable power of attorney, and a valid last will and testament. We recommend these ‘core four’ documents to our clients and can help prepare them with you.
  • Identify a guardian for your minor children and verify that your desired guardian will accept the responsibility.
  • Talk to your financial consultants about how federal and state taxes might affect your estate and consider whether a revocable living trust or irrevocable trust might reduce the impact of estate taxes.
  • Consult with a lawyer about whether you can use mechanisms to pass property apart from formal probate.
  • Prepare for the expenses of long-term care in a skilled nursing facility.
  • Review life insurance policies and retirement accounts to confirm that all beneficiaries are up-to-date and correctly identified.

What Our NYC Clients Have to Say

Pierro, Connor & Strauss was the first law firm I ever contacted ever and I'd like to think I was lucky because they were incredible and professional and made my first experience great one. They afforded me the ability of understanding the legal process for which I was there for by explaining it in a way that I didn't feel it was all over my head. I had the best attorney who was all 10s across the board. He executed my documents with great efficiency and great quality. My lawyer Anthony K. was very friendly, incredibly proficient and experienced. In simple terms - The Best. I've already recommended Anthony and Pierro, Connor & Strauss to family and my best friends. Highly Recommended.

- Carlos S.

I recent had to rewrite my will after the passing of my wife. It was a complicated and upsetting process. Lou Pierro and Anthony Khatchoui (along with the rest of his team) were knowledgeable, kind, and efficient. I would absolutely recommend them to others in my situation.

- Richard F.

Why Work with Pierro, Connor & Strauss

The New York estate and trust lawyers at Pierro, Connor & Strauss understand the challenges that are inherent in estate planning, and we work to make the will-drafting process as straightforward and efficient as possible.

Please call our offices in New York City to schedule an appointment with one of our NYC will attorneys. We will treat you and your estate with the respect and attention it deserves and help you to take care of your heirs in full accordance with your wishes.

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Life Happens…..Are You Prepared?

Contact us today for a FREE consultation and we’ll be happy to help take the worry out of tomorrow so you can live today.