Estate planning sounds intimidating — but your first appointment is simply a conversation. Before you schedule, here is a plain-English overview of what a complete New York estate plan covers and what you will bring to that meeting.
What Is a Complete NY Estate Plan? (The 101 Version)
A sound plan has four coordinated pieces:
| Document | What It Does | Key NY Law |
|---|---|---|
| Will | Directs who inherits your assets after death; requires two witnesses and your signature at the end | EPTL §3-2.1 |
| Trust(s) | A revocable living trust avoids probate (EPTL Article 7); an irrevocable trust can reduce estate tax or protect assets for Medicaid (5-year look-back) | EPTL Article 7 |
| Durable Power of Attorney | Authorizes someone to handle your finances if you cannot; New York’s 2021 statutory short form is durable by default | GOL §5-1513 |
| Health Care Proxy | Appoints an agent for medical decisions — entirely separate from the financial POA | NY Public Health Law Art. 29-C |
These four documents work together. A will alone, for example, does not keep a family out of probate court; a trust alone does not cover medical emergencies.
Why 2026 Matters for New York Estates
New York’s estate-tax basic exclusion is $7,350,000 for deaths in 2026. An estate that crosses 105% of that threshold — $7,717,500 — loses the entire exemption and is taxed from dollar one at rates up to 16%. New York also adds back gifts made within three years of death. See the full breakdown on our NY estate tax guide or on tax.ny.gov.
If you die without a will, New York’s intestacy rules under EPTL Article 4 decide who inherits — not you.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
- A plain-language intake — Russel Morgan, Esq. will ask about your family, assets, and goals, no jargon required.
- A coordinated plan recommendation — you will leave knowing which documents you need and why.
- Next steps — drafting, signing, and funding (for trusts) are scheduled from there.
Serving clients across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate — see our statewide guide for location-specific notes.
Schedule your 30-minute consultation →
Morgan Legal Group · Attorney Russel Morgan, Esq. · Estate Planning Overview
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: estate planning in New York.