Estate planning does not have to be complicated. Whether you are in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, or anywhere Upstate, Morgan Legal Group helps New Yorkers build plans that actually work — not just paperwork in a drawer.
What a Complete NY Estate Plan Includes
A sound plan coordinates four documents together:
| Document | Governing Law | Core Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Will | EPTL §3-2.1 | Directs assets; requires two witnesses & testator signature at end |
| Trust(s) | EPTL Article 7 | Avoids probate; irrevocable trusts protect assets & address Medicaid’s 5-year look-back |
| Durable Power of Attorney | GOL §5-1513 (2021 form) | Names someone to handle finances if you cannot |
| Health Care Proxy | NY Public Health Law Art. 29-C | Names someone to make medical decisions — separate from the financial POA |
The 2026 NY Estate Tax Reality
New York’s basic exclusion is $7,350,000 for deaths in 2026. Estates above $7,717,500 (the “cliff” at 105%) lose the entire exemption and are taxed from dollar one at rates up to 16%. New York imposes no gift tax, but gifts within three years of death are added back. See our NY Estate Tax Guide for planning strategies.
Dying without a will triggers intestacy under EPTL Article 4 — the state, not you, decides who inherits.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Russel Morgan, Esq. serves clients across all of New York State. Start with a no-obligation 30-minute call to review your situation and build a coordinated estate plan.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: the New York estate planning guide.