Achieve Your Estate Planning Goals With Wills & Trusts
Nassau County wills and trusts attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael W. Alpert can help you address all legal needs related to setting up wills and trusts. It is important to have a properly drafted will in order to give clear direction as to your intent as to how you would want your estate to be administered.
Without a will correctly drafted by an experienced wills, trusts and estates attorney, there will be a great deal of uncertainty as to how assets and property are to be administered. Further, complications can arise as to how to care for minor children in the event of your death. Please know that the Law Offices of Michael W. Alpert, Esq. will ensure that any will drafted by our office will be legally valid, clear, and unambiguous. Contact us today at 516-280-7288 for a FREE consultation.
Virtual and contactless in-person estate planning is available. No office visit is necessary. Virtual notary available. Call (516) 280-7288 for immediate help.
Simple Will vs. Living Trust: Which One Is Right For Me?
There are various factors which will determine whether a simple will or the use of a living trust will be more effective for your individualized estate needs. However, important aspects like the size of your estate, your family structure, your age, and your eagerness to avoid the probate process will determine whether a will or a living trust will be more suitable for your estate needs. A trust is a legal entity created by an individual during their lifetime. A trust (just like an individual or corporation) can own assets, real property, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and life insurance policies. There are a variety of trusts which can be utilized to avoid probate and to ensure the uninterrupted management of your assets upon your death.
Why You Need A Trusted Wills & Trusts Attorney in Nassau County, NY
This is life! You all must have witnessed— or, even heard of — the blood feuds and family drama that sparks up after a loved one has passed away.
Legacy disputes can last literally for decades and can turn the mourning time into a family quarrel that can’t be controlled. Unless you have a will in place!
What is A Will?
A will is an important document that allows you to express what you want to happen to your assets after your death. It contains your wishes as to how your property, assets and interests are properly distributed upon your death. With little limitations, you are granted the ability to give your properties to whomever you want, for whatever purpose or reason you may have.
You will also designate the person you’d like to act as your personal representative after your death in your will. This personal representative, in some cases called an executor or administrator, is the legal representative for distributing your estate.
The distribution of a property after demise comes with lots of sentiments. A will that clearly explains your last wishes may diminish speculation and conflict over what you “would have” desired.
In Nassau County, we excel at estate and wills planning for people on Long Island. We advise a will to be drafted with two key components:
- Instructions that are clear about your wishes regarding the beneficiaries of your estate. Make it clear who gets what and how they get it
- The Personal Representative or executor who you want to settle your affairs and handle the distribution of your estate
These two components are the basics of estate planning. No matter how small your estate is, it’s always a good idea to have a will. Our firm primarily services estate and will planning Clients in Nassau County, including towns like Garden City, Mineola, Westbury, New Hyde Park, Merrick, Bellmore, to name a few.
Revocable Trusts and Irrevocable Trusts
Revocable trusts can be used to avoid probate, and are commonly used for individuals who may own real property in one or multiple jurisdictions. Revocable trusts can be used to create a uniquely tailored and specific course of distributions for the beneficiaries of the trust proceeds. Irrevocable trusts are used as a tool to protect assets against the ever increasing cost of long term care, and can be an effective device to make one eligible for Medicaid benefits. Both of these trusts can also be created in such a way to avoid estate tax liability should the value of the gross estate exceed certain state and federally imposed limits.
As a general rule, while the creation of a living trust (revocable or irrevocable) can be more expensive to set up and administer, it has the important advantage of avoiding the probate process. The will must go through the probate process, and therefore the determination as to whether you want to structure a trust to avoid the probate process is one you can discuss with a Long Island, NY will attorney or trust attorney at the Law Offices of Michael W. Alpert, Esq. We are experienced in the drafting of wills and trusts in New York, and gladly serve the estate needs of those living in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Hire An Experienced Nassau County Wills & Trusts Attorney Today
Many people feel besieged by the thought of making the end of life plans just because the idea of one’s death can be scary. Others are besieged by the legal process related to these decisions.
Hiring a Nassau County wills attorney, like the Law Offices of Michael W. Alpert, means gaining access to our rich experience and knowledge. We are well-versed with the state and local laws and can make sure that your will is valid, accurate, and doesn’t leave anything out.
A skilled Wills attorney in Nassau County will take time to listen to your specific needs and provide insight into the best way to achieve your objectives, specifically if you have demanding family dynamics. We are familiar with drafting wills and determining how best to divide your estate.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Long Island wills and trusts attorney, please contact us online or call (516) 280-7288 for immediate assistance.