Wills Lawyer in Long Island

Serving Roslyn, Woodbury, Hewlett, Jamaica Estates, Queens, Garden City, & Great Neck

A will, also known as your last will and testament, is considered a legal document that lists how you wish your personal belongings and assets to be distributed and to whom. Anyone over the age of 18 may create a will. There are certain legal requirements that must be followed in order for a will to be considered legal and binding in a Probate Court. It is therefore vital that you obtain the legal guidance of a Long Island will attorney to prepare this crucial document for you.

When creating a will, it is not always necessary to have an attorney, but it is highly recommended. As a legal document, any errors in the method in which it was prepared or executed can make it invalid. It is also important to be aware of any earlier wills, and make it known which is the latest draft that needs to be followed.

Working with a will attorney in Long Island that residents trust can also reduce the likelihood of family conflict after you pass away, because your wishes will be clearly documented and properly executed under New York law. At Jonathan E. Kroll & Associates, PLLC, we can help you think through issues such as second marriages, children from prior relationships, or closely held business interests so that your will reflects your real-life circumstances instead of relying on generic forms.

Protect your family’s future with guidance from an experienced will attorney in Long Island. Complete our online form or call (516) 324-3138 now to get started with your estate planning needs.

Do You Need a Will?

Having a last will and testament is a very important tool in preserving your assets. It can be changed as life’s vagaries affect your life.

Many people in Nassau and Suffolk County are unsure when they should update a will, but major events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the purchase of a home on Long Island are common times to revisit these documents. By reviewing your plan periodically, we help you keep your will aligned with current New York estate laws and with the realities of your finances, family structure, and future goals.

There are various key points that a will can assist in handling:

• Designate a trust to be established for family members after assets go through probate.
• Nominate a guardian to care for your minor children if you pass away.
• Help settle disputes through probate court by making your wishes clear and specific.
• Lessen the time it takes to free up assets for your designated parties.
• Direct how debts, taxes, and expenses are to be paid.

How Our Firm Helps With Will Planning in Long Island

Along with our experience and dedication to addressing our clients’ needs and concerns, the lawyers at Jonathan E. Kroll & Associates, PLLC are highly capable of providing our clients with the legal assistance they require in creating a will. We represent clients throughout all of New York, Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island, and offer a free initial consultation with an accomplished lawyer to help you get started.

When you meet with a will lawyer in Long Island at our firm, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about topics such as choosing executors, coordinating beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, and planning for assets that pass outside of probate. We regularly appear in Nassau County Surrogate's Court and Suffolk County Surrogate's Court, and we draw on that experience to draft wills that are clear, enforceable, and less likely to be challenged.

What To Expect When You Create a Will

When you sit down to plan a will, you may be unsure what information you need to bring or how the process will unfold. We typically begin by discussing your family situation, your assets, and any concerns you have about potential disputes, so we can recommend an approach that fits your goals. From there, we will prepare a draft that complies with New York estate laws and walk you through each provision in plain language. This step-by-step process helps you feel more confident in your decisions and ensures that important details, such as guardianship for minor children or specific gifts, are not overlooked.

After your draft is complete, we will arrange for the proper signing and witnessing of your will in accordance with New York requirements, which helps reduce the risk of challenges in the Nassau County or Suffolk County Surrogate's Court. We can also talk with you about how your will fits with other parts of your estate plan, such as beneficiary designations and any trusts you may wish to create. Once your will is signed, we can safely store an original or advise you on secure storage options so that your executor can easily locate the document when it is needed. Over time, we will remain available to help you review and update your will as laws change or as major life events occur.