Estate Planning & Elder Law
A thoughtful plan protects your family from uncertainty. When there is no plan — or a contested one — experienced litigation counsel protects them from worse.
We help individuals and families plan with clarity: wills, planning for aging and long-term care, and the practical guidance that keeps decisions in the family’s hands.
When estates become contested — will challenges, fiduciary disputes, contested accountings — the firm brings its litigation practice to Surrogate’s Court on behalf of beneficiaries and fiduciaries.
What We Handle
- Wills and estate planning
- Elder law planning
- Will contests and contested probate
- Fiduciary and accounting disputes
- Surrogate’s Court litigation
The core documents
A sound plan usually starts with a will, a durable power of attorney, and a health care proxy. The will directs who receives your property and who manages your estate. The power of attorney lets someone you trust handle financial matters if you cannot, and a health care proxy names the person who makes medical decisions for you when you are unable to.
Without a will, New York’s intestacy law decides who inherits, and the Surrogate’s Court appoints an administrator. The result may not be what you would have chosen.
Planning for aging and long-term care
The cost of long-term care can consume a lifetime of savings. Planning ahead — well before care is needed — gives families more options. For nursing-home Medicaid, New York reviews asset transfers made in the five years before the application, so timing matters.
When an estate is contested
When a will is challenged, or a fiduciary’s handling of an estate is questioned, the dispute is heard in the Surrogate’s Court. Common grounds for objecting to a will include improper execution, lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, and fraud. Accountings by executors and trustees can also be contested when funds are mismanaged.
The firm represents executors, administrators, and beneficiaries in these proceedings, bringing the same trial preparation it brings to every litigated matter.
Common Questions
What happens if someone dies without a will?
New York’s intestacy statute determines who inherits, and a family member can petition the Surrogate’s Court to be appointed administrator.
Do I need a trust?
Not everyone does. Whether a trust makes sense depends on your family, your assets, and your goals. We will tell you candidly whether it would help.
I believe a parent’s will was the product of undue influence. What can I do?
Objections to a will are filed in the Surrogate’s Court during the probate proceeding, and timing matters. Call to discuss the circumstances.
This page is general information about New York law, not legal advice about your situation. Deadlines and rules can change and depend on the facts; call the office to discuss your matter.
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