Estate Planning
Established New York Estate Planning Attorney Helps You Prepare for the Future
TRUSTED FIRM ADVISES CLIENTS IN THE GARDEN CITY AREA ON WILLS, TRUSTS AND CONSERVATORSHIPS
No one knows what tomorrow may bring, but there are some inevitabilities for which you can prepare. You’ve worked too hard to risk your personal security or the legacy you leave, so it is wise to establish an estate plan you can count on no matter what comes your way. At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I help clients in the Garden City area and throughout New York guard against the unpredictable and leave instructions they feel confident about. Whether your estate is substantial or modest, I can work with you to design an estate plan that fits your unique circumstances and addresses your concerns.
SKILLED LAWYER PROVIDES COUNSEL FOR THOROUGH ESTATE PLANS
Establishing a well-thought-out estate plan allows you to provide protection for your property, finances and medical care. Your answers to these and other questions will inform your choices: Do you want to maximize giving to your heirs? Preserve a vacation home? Provide for a child with special needs? Appoint a decision-maker in case you become incapacitated?
To address these concerns and others, you can rely on me to help with a comprehensive estate plan. I may provide legal assistance with the following:
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Will drafting, execution and review
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Living trusts
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Advance healthcare directives (living wills)
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Powers of attorney
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Estate and gift tax issues
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Guardianships and conservatorships
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Choosing the appropriate executor
Each person has different concerns and goals for the future. I work closely with you to determine your priorities and create precise instruments to carry out your intentions.
THOUGHTFUL ATTORNEY HANDLES WILLS, GUARDIANSHIPS AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Estate plans can include instructions not only for distributing your property after you’ve passed but also for handling decisions in the event you can no longer make them for yourself. Though it may be difficult to think
about your mortality, clear and thorough plans can remove the fear of uncertainty.
I can help with:
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Wills — Your last will and testament provides the opportunity to distribute property, establish care for children and otherwise express your final wishes. A will is also the primary means by which you can leave property to a person or entity other than a blood relative.
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Trusts — Trusts are flexible instruments that allow you to put conditions on gifts and provide an allowance for a beneficiary rather than a lump sum. When you set up a living trust, for example, you can enjoy your property during your lifetime and transfer wealth seamlessly at your passing, helping your loved ones avoid probate.
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Advance directives — Advance directives allow you to clearly articulate your preferences for medical treatment and lifesaving interventions. They can set forth instructions on various matters, including who should serve as your healthcare proxy (or power of attorney) if you are incapacitated. Advance directives can also include DNR orders.
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Guardianships — If you have minor children, it’s important to plan for their care in the event you and their other parent pass away. While you can name a guardian in your will, the court will need to appoint them to serve in that capacity. Choosing a reliable, capable and trustworthy guardian can help ensure your children grow up feeling cared for and loved.
Knowing that you have planned for the long-term well-being and financial security of your loved ones can be comforting. At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship and supporting philanthropic causes.
Estate Planning/Wills
Experienced New York Estate Planning Attorney Drafts and Updates Wills
LAWYER HELPS CLIENTS IN THE GARDEN CITY AREA TO PLAN FOR THEIR PROPERTY AND FINANCES
At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I offer a full range of services relating to wills, including drafting, review, amendment, revocation and execution. My experience enables me to provide reliable and practical estate planning advice to people from all walks of life. I understand that it can feel overwhelming to make plans for the property and assets you have accumulated over a lifetime and it can be difficult to think about how your children should be cared for if the unthinkable happens. My goal is to help people in the Garden City area and throughout New York create wills in which they can feel confident and secure. I handle estates of all sizes and level of complexity, creating clear and enforceable instructions that accurately convey my clients’ intentions.
KNOWLEDGEABLE NEW YORK COUNSELOR CREATES COMPREHENSIVE LEGACY INSTRUCTIONS
Simple mistakes can render wills invalid in whole or in part. Essential elements of a valid will include:
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Intent — The testator, the person who creates the will, must intend that the document be a last will and testament at the time it is made. The testator must be of sound mind and comprehension, and must create the will voluntarily, without coercion or undue influence.
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Proper execution — A traditional will is written, signed by the testator and often affirmed by a witness.
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Clear language — A statement within a will that is confusing or open to various interpretations can invalidate all or part of the will.
An error in the drafting of your will can cause confusion in the court and conflict among your heirs. To make sure that your wishes can be carried out, it is wise to hire a respected lawyer. Through The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I offer pertinent and personal legal advice for drafting valid wills.
THOROUGH ATTORNEY MAKES PLANS TO PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES
Your last will and testament provides the opportunity to distribute your property and finances, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A will is the primary means by which you can leave property to a person or entity other than a blood relative, such as a domestic partner, a friend or a charity. If you die without a will, the court determines how your estate is distributed; making decisions that might not reflect your desires. I can draft clear, legally sound wills that include considerations for:
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Property — Real estate is typically the most valuable property a person or couple owns. Wills can include instructions for all kinds of property, from homes, automobiles and art to sentimental objects.
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Financial assets — A wide array of financial assets can be accounted for in a will. You can choose how the wealth you hold in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, retirement plans and other sources of value should be distributed among your beneficiaries.
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Child guardianship — Your will allows you to make contingency plans for the care of your minor children. This is especially crucial if you are a single parent, but couples should also consider whom they want to raise their children if both parents pass away. You can also make arrangements in your will for the care of your pets.
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Executor responsibilities — Your will can include instructions for who should be in charge of overseeing the distribution of your property and seeing to it that your wishes are carried out.
As your life unfolds, your circumstances and concerns may shift. To remain current, you should review and update your will intermittently. I can advise you on your will in light of your current finances, marital status and family situation. The Moran Law Group, PLLC can also add valid supplements (known as codicils) that address changes in your state of affairs and outlook.
Contact a New York estate planning lawyer for help with a will At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I draft effective wills for clients in New York. Call me at 516-240-8076 or contact me online to schedule your consultation at my Garden City office.
Estate Planning/Probate and Estate Admin
Experienced New York Attorney Handles Probate and Estate Administration for Clients
RELIABLE LAWYER ASSISTS EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN
THE GARDEN CITY AREA
To maximize the value of an estate in probate or another administration process, representatives may find it helpful to contact a reputable estate planning attorney. At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I advise clients serving as executors or administrators on how to comply with all aspects of estate administration accurately and completely. If you've been appointed to serve in either position, you can benefit from sound legal guidance so you are not held personally liable for losses in the value of estate assets due to errors or misconduct. I guide individuals in the Garden City area and throughout New York through probate and estate administration with confidence and efficiency.
THOROUGH ADVOCATE ADVISES CLIENTS DURING EVERY STEP OF PROBATE
Probate can refer to the court process of validating a will so an executor can implement the decedent’s wishes or to the oversight the court provides for an estate administrator who settles an intestate estate — one in which the decedent left no will.
Most executors are not familiar with the relevant laws, and some are even surprised to learn the decedent’s will named them as the responsible party. To complete the process of settling an estate, I may help executors with the following tasks:
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Getting court approval as executor/estate administrator and posting bond
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Filing the will with the appropriate probate court
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Locating beneficiaries
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Finding and assembling assets
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Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
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Hiring valuation, genealogy or other experts, when appropriate
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Paying creditors and claimants
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Collecting amounts owed to the estate
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Paying current and delinquent taxes as well as estate taxes
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Distributing property to beneficiaries
Estate representatives can easily make mistakes due to inexperience, stress and hasty decisions. At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I provide clients with reliable, detailed guidance.
Even in seemingly straightforward probate and estate administration matters, disputes among beneficiaries or between beneficiaries and the executor can arise. When these conflicts surface, you can rely on my counsel and professionalism in negotiations or in court.
KNOWLEDGEABLE ATTORNEY HELPS CLIENTS BECOME EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
Distributing a decedent's property cannot take place without an executor or administrator managing and overseeing the process. When a person does not leave behind a will or establish another means of wealth transfer, the most willing and capable relative usually seeks court approval to act as the personal representative of the estate. I can help qualified individuals obtain the status of estate executor or administrator.
At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, my goal is for you to settle your loved one’s estate as efficiently, quickly and easily as possible.
Contact a reliable New York probate and estate administration lawyer Probate and estate administration issues can feel overwhelming for people unfamiliar with estate law. The Moran Law Group, PLLC helps people throughout New York to ease the burden. To schedule a free consultation, call my Garden City office at 516-240-8076 or contact me online.
Estate Planning/Trusts
Experienced New York Attorney
Creates Secure Trusts
KNOWLEDGEABLE NEW YORK LAWYER DESIGNS TRUSTS TAILORED TO YOUR ESTATE GOALS
There are several types of trusts, with each offering situation-dependent pros and cons. A qualified lawyer can help you select the type of trust instrument that addresses your legacy concerns. At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I handle:
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Revocable trusts — As the grantor of a revocable trust, you can retain control of your assets during your lifetime and may revoke or revise the trust at any time. Living trusts are a popular form of revocable trust.
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Irrevocable trusts — Once you establish this kind of trust, its assets no longer belong to you, and you cannot amend the trust without your beneficiary's consent. However, any appreciated assets in the trust are not subject to estate taxes.
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Credit shelter trusts — Also called bypass or family trusts, credit shelter trusts allow a grantor to place enough wealth in a trust for heirs so that the grantor can pass down the remainder of their wealth via a will that does not trigger an estate tax. The assets in the credit shelter trust are not subject to estate tax.
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Generation-skipping trusts — Also called a dynasty trust, a generation-skipping trust enables a grantor to transfer a substantial amount of tax-free money to beneficiaries at least two generations below them. It can be an excellent way to provide a legacy for your grandchildren.
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Qualified personal residence trusts — A QPRT prevents the value of a grantor’s primary residence or vacation home from being added to their estate. Establishing a QPRT may help avoid triggering the estate tax later on.
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Irrevocable life insurance trusts — This type of trust removes a grantor’s life insurance from the taxable estate. It can help to leave a tax-free legacy to loved ones.
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Qualified terminable interest property trusts — A QTIP trust helps grantors in second marriages provide for the lifetime needs of a second spouse while preserving a legacy for children from the first marriage.
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Special needs trusts — If someone in your family has a disability or special needs, this type of trust can be used to help meet future financial needs.
Trusts are very flexible instruments. The Moran Law Group, PLLC can help you create one that addresses your unique estate planning needs. I also counsel clients who want to augment their asset protection by reviewing existing insurance policies and recommending ways to reduce exposure to liability.
Contact a skilled New York trust and estate planning lawyer. The Moran Law Group, PLLC serves clients throughout New York who wish to protect their assets with a trust. Call me at 516-240-8076 or contact me online to schedule a free consultation at my Garden City office.
COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELOR HELPS CLIENTS IN THE GARDEN CITY AREA TO PROVIDE TRUSTS FOR THEIR LOVED ONES
At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I utilize my experience to advise clients in the Garden City area and throughout New York on the best means to meet their financial and estate objectives, including the efficient distribution of assets and estate tax avoidance. Trusts are legal entities created to hold and transfer property. These instruments provide benefits such as shielding your financial assets from losses due to liability and taxation, so your heirs can keep more of what you pass down to them. Distributing assets via a trust can also keep the details of your estate confidential, unlike the public probate process that is used for wills.
Estate Planning/Probate Litigations
Experienced New York Attorney Litigates Probate Disputes
DEDICATED LAWYER REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN THE GARDEN CITY AREA DURING INHERITANCE CONFLICTS
The Moran Law Group, PLLC advocates on behalf of clients in the Garden City area and throughout New York who want to ensure that property and wealth are handled in accordance with the desires and instructions of the deceased. If you suspect that a will is fraudulent or invalid, or that an estate is being mismanaged, you have a right to seek remedy in court. Similarly, estate administrators facing accusations of incompetence or unlawful conduct are entitled to vigorously defend themselves. I represent beneficiaries and executors in estate litigation, seeking favorable resolutions to disputes.
INFORMED NEW YORK ATTORNEY GUIDES CLIENTS THROUGH WILL CHALLENGES
There are several bases for challenging a will. Whether you are alleging misconduct or accused of it, it is important to understand the legal reasons a will may be challenged:
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Lack of capacity — This ground alleges that the testator, the person who signed the will, was not of sound mind at the time the will was created.
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Undue influence — A will might be invalid if a person with access to and power over the testator used emotional manipulation to gain special consideration in the will.
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Fraud — This ground alleges that the person who signed the will was deceived about the contents of the document at the time it was drawn up.
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Void for vagueness — This ground asserts that the terms of the will are open to conflicting interpretations, and it is impossible to know which interpretation is correct. A challenger can seek to prevent all or part of the will from being implemented.
Many probate disputes stem from suspicions that a particular individual took advantage of the deceased and was included in the will to the detriment of the rightful heirs. While the court looks harshly on elder exploitation, all challenges must be supported by reliable evidence. At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I advise clients on their will challenges and work to resolve issues favorably.
ACCOMPLISHED COUNSELOR HELPS WITH CLAIMS OF EXECUTOR MISCONDUCT
Executors have a fiduciary duty to manage the assets of an estate according to the decedent’s wishes, for the benefit of the beneficiaries. The fiduciary must act in total accordance with the terms of the will so that assets are not lost due to waste, fraud, misallocation or mismanagement. Beneficiaries may challenge alleged misconduct and demand a full account of a fiduciary’s actions. At The Moran Law Group, PLLC, I have experience on both sides of probate controversies.
Contact an established New York probate litigation attorney . Probate conflicts can be damaging if they are not managed by experienced and knowledgeable legal counsel. The Moran Law Group, PLLC provides capable representation for beneficiaries and fiduciaries throughout New York. Call 516-240-8076 or contact me online to schedule your consultation at my Garden City office.