Securing Your Future With An Estate Plan On Long Island
Long Island has many attorneys dabbling in estate planning. Any one of them will be able to pull out the document you need to draft your legal will. At Futterman Lanza, LLP, we take your estate preservation plans beyond the simple paperwork and strategically protect you and your assets. Whether you live in Nassau County, Suffolk County or anywhere on Long Island, securing your legacy and protecting your loved ones is crucial. At Futterman Lanza, LLP, we understand that estate planning is a critical component of your family’s future. With over 50 years of combined experience, our Long Island estate planning lawyers remain at the forefront of legal developments to provide you with superior service.
Our firm focuses on elder law and estate planning. We are adept at navigating the complexities of the law to meet your needs precisely. We respect the dignity of each client, offering professional and individualized legal representation. At Futterman Lanza, LLP, we are committed to resolving your unique legal concerns in a caring, timely and cost-efficient manner. Our law firm primarily represents clients throughout Long Island (Nassau County and Suffolk County) and the Metro New York area.
Why An Estate Plan Is Essential For Your Future
Estate planning plays a crucial role in preparing you to manage and distribute your assets both during and after your lifetime. This process helps you meet your financial goals and ensures the care of your loved ones according to your specific wishes. Everyone, no matter the size of their estate, should create an estate plan to prevent potential legal issues and honor their personal and financial preferences. A comprehensive estate plan usually includes wills, trusts, health care directives and powers of attorney, each providing distinct and essential functions in asset management and decision-making.
What is a will?
A will is a legal document that establishes your wishes for the distribution of your estate. It can also include guardianship appointments to care for any minor children you may have. It is the foundation of any estate plan, providing clear instructions to be executed by your chosen executor. Without a will, your assets are distributed according to New York state laws, which might not align with your personal wishes.
Why would I need a trust?
A trust enables a dedicated trustee to hold and manage assets on behalf of your beneficiaries. Trusts come in various forms and can be used to achieve specific goals such as tax reduction, asset protection, and providing for minors or family members with special needs. Unlike wills, trusts often enable the bypassing of the probate process, allowing for quicker asset distribution and maintaining privacy.
Why is a health care directive so important?
A health care directive, also known as an advance directive or living will, is a document that identifies your wishes regarding medical treatment if you become incapacitated and unable to communicate your decisions. It is an essential part of estate planning that ensures your health care preferences are respected, particularly concerning life-sustaining procedures such as tube feeding and ventilators.
Choosing a power of attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document that grants another person the authority to make decisions on your behalf. This can include managing your finances, making health care decisions or handling business concerns. Powers of attorney can be designated as durable, meaning they remain in effect if you become incapacitated, ensuring that your appointed individual can manage your affairs without court intervention.
Does It Matter Which Lawyer You Hire To Write Your Will?
We understand how important estate planning is to any family and can help identify legal solutions that will work for your unique situation and avoid contentious litigation. We are a boutique law firm focused on personal client service. With us, every case is personal. Let us put our experience with trusts, estate and tax planning to work for you.
Do I Need A Will?
Do you really need a valid, updated will if your intent is to have all of your estate assets passed on to your surviving spouse or adult children? In New York, the answer is yes. Your intent should be in writing and clearly indicate your beneficiaries and choices for the executor. Proving a will to be valid is what’s known as probate. While our firm will discuss strategies to avoid probate, a valid will is an important component of estate planning.
The law is very specific regarding the format and witnessing of wills. Many older wills that have not been updated result in a more expensive probate process. Without a valid last will and testament signed by yourself under the supervision of an experienced attorney, the probate court will be required to make decisions about the disposition of assets that may come under dispute. By taking the time now to draft – or update – your will, you won’t be leaving your family with the burden of protecting their interests in probate court.
From our Long Island offices in Smithtown, Garden City and Bay Shore, we draft wills and provide sound estate planning strategies for individuals and families in Nassau County, Suffolk County and communities throughout the state of New York.
Call Our Long Island Estate Planning Attorneys Today
At Futterman Lanza, LLP, we understand the complexities of estate planning and provide you with customized solutions that meet your unique needs. Our experienced estate planning lawyers guide you through each step, ensuring that your estate plan is comprehensive and legally sound.
To learn more about estate planning and how we can help you, call us at 631-894-4730 to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach us by filling out our online contact form. We have offices in Smithtown, Bay Shore and Garden City.