Cover Your Estate Planning Necessities with a Long Island Will Lawyer
Your estate plan determines how your assets are distributed and any remaining debts repaid upon your passing, and the will is the cornerstone of any estate plan. If you are at the point where you think it is time to begin taking estate planning seriously, or if you need to alter or adapt your existing estate plan, a Long Island will lawyer from Davidow, Davidow, Siegel & Stern can help.
We provide complete estate planning services to our clients, with wills being just one of many legal tools we can use to create a plan that suits each of our client’s individual needs. The Long Island estate planning lawyers from Davidow, Davidow, Siegel & Stern have many years of combined experience assisting individuals and families with the full spectrum of their estate planning needs.
With our assistance you can create a will that is comprehensive, clear, and integrates seamlessly into other elements of your estate plan, like a revocable trust, also referred to as a living trust. The estate planning needs of each of our clients are unique, and we take the time to fully understand your situation, concerns, and intentions. This understanding helps us create custom-tailored wills and holistic estate plans that completely accomplish your goals.
What is a Will?: According to A Long Island Will Lawyer
A will, also referred to as a last will and testament, is “a statutory written statement of what a person wants done with their property after they die.” Your will provides directions on how your property will be divided after death and can include specific instructions to that effect. Your property in the will includes real estate, cash, and other liquid assets, as well as personal property and investments. An early part of the process is creating an inventory of assets to provide clarity when it comes time to distribute them.
Wills name an “Executor”, which is an individual(s) who is (are) given the responsibility and power to carry out your wishes detailed in your will. It is also possible and recommended to appoint a guardian for any minor children in your will. Your Long Island will lawyer will go over your objectives, help you inventory your assets, and work with you to create a plan which suits your needs and goals.
Wills are important documents and should be kept in a safe and secure location. A lack of a will is a leading cause of stress and estrangement among surviving family members after a death in the family. With a clear will, the potential of disharmony is minimized, and your survivors will know exactly what you want to happen to your assets.
Do Wills Automatically Take Effect in New York?
The legal enforceability of a will does not take effect until the will is filed in the Surrogates Court and is admitted for probate. If a person has less than $50,000 in personal property in their estate, a small estate can be filed in place of a full-blown probate. Your Long Island estate planning lawyer from Davidow, Davidow, Siegel & Stern will review your situation and make suggestions that align with New York law and your preferences.
It is important to note that wills are confidential documents until the person who created them passes. Once a will is admitted into probate or a small estate, it becomes a public document. This means that anyone interested can see and read the contents of the will. Ensuring that the will is properly drafted and legally enforceable is important and can help prevent future disputes among surviving family and friends. Those wishing complete confidentiality and privacy need to avoid probate, perhaps with a living revocable or irrevocable trust.
Why Should I Sign a Will?
The will is the centerpiece of the majority of estate plans because it is flexible and capable of suiting a broad variety of needs. A will is capable of controlling the broadest variety of assets on your behalf, from liquid assets to personal belongings.
By creating a legally valid last will and testament, you can:
- Determine the individuals and/or organizations that inherit your property
- Establish a guardian to care for any minor children or persons with special needs in your family
- Determine who will be named executor to administer your estate once your will takes effect
- Identify a person to act as trustee to manage the property that is left to minor children until they become of age or some later date you think appropriate
- Identify a person to act as trustee to manage the property that is left to a child with disabilities
If you have not drafted a will, your assets may be distributed through New York intestate laws. This means that your wishes are not taken into account. Instead, the court divides your assets and property in line with their own rules. Working with a Long Island will lawyer will ensure that your assets are fully accounted for and your wishes followed upon your passing.
Discuss Your Estate Planning Needs with a Long Island Will Lawyer
Take control of your estate and ensure that New York courts do not get to take over control over how your assets are distributed. Connect with the Long Island will lawyers from Davidow, Davidow, Siegel & Stern. They are standing by to help with the drafting of your final will and testament in addition to any other estate-planning needs or concerns you might have. Give them a call at (631) 234-3030, or make an appointment on this website.