Estate planning done poorly often costs more to correct than to do correctly from the start. At Morgan Legal Group, attorney Russel Morgan, Esq. brings specialist-level precision to every plan — ensuring your documents are legally airtight and coordinated as a unified strategy, not an afterthought collection of forms.
What a Complete New York Estate Plan Requires
New York law is specific. A genuinely protective plan integrates all four pillars:
| Document | Governing Law | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Last Will & Testament | EPTL §3-2.1 | Directs asset distribution; requires two attesting witnesses |
| Revocable or Irrevocable Trust | EPTL Article 7 | Avoids probate; irrevocable trusts protect assets and address Medicaid’s 5-year look-back |
| Durable Power of Attorney | GOL §5-1513 | Authorizes financial decisions; 2021 statutory short form |
| Health Care Proxy | NY Public Health Law Art. 29-C | Appoints your agent for medical decisions only |
Missing or mismatched documents leave your family exposed to probate delays, court intervention, or — for estates near the 2026 New York exclusion of $7,350,000 — the cliff trap: any estate exceeding 105% of the exclusion ($7,717,500) loses the entire exemption and is taxed from dollar one at rates up to 16%.
Serving All of New York State
Our clients span New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York. Wherever you are in the state, the statutory requirements are the same — and so is our standard of care.
Explore our practice areas: Estate Planning Overview · Wills · Trusts · Power of Attorney · Health Care Proxy · NY Estate Tax Guide
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