Trusts & Estates Attorneys in New York & New Jersey
Protecting Your Legacy and Guiding Families Through Complex Estate Matters.
Trusts and estates law governs the planning, management, and distribution of a person’s assets during life and after death. In New York and New Jersey, estate planning is not just for the wealthy — it is essential for anyone who wants to protect their family, minimize tax burdens, and ensure their wishes are honored. Our attorneys provide comprehensive counsel on estate planning, probate, and trust administration to give clients peace of mind and protect what matters most.
Trusts & Estates Services We Provide
- Estate Planning: Drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives.
- Trust Creation & Administration: Establishing revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, and managing ongoing obligations.
- Probate & Estate Administration: Guiding executors and beneficiaries through the probate process, asset distribution, and creditor claims.
- Estate Litigation: Representing clients in will contests, trust disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, and contested accountings.
- Tax Planning: Strategies to minimize federal estate tax, New York estate tax, and New Jersey inheritance tax.
- Guardianships: Establishing legal authority to make decisions for minors or incapacitated adults.
- Business Succession Planning: Helping business owners transfer ownership efficiently while preserving value.
Trusts & Estates Law in New York
Key features of New York estate law include:
- Probate: Most estates must pass through the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the decedent lived.
- Estate Tax: New York imposes its own estate tax, separate from the federal system, with an exemption that changes annually.
- Spousal Rights: Surviving spouses are entitled to an “elective share” regardless of will provisions.
- Contested Estates: New York courts frequently hear disputes over capacity, undue influence, and will interpretation.
Trusts & Estates Law in New Jersey
New Jersey estate law includes:
- Inheritance Tax: Unlike many states, New Jersey imposes an inheritance tax depending on the relationship of the beneficiary to the decedent.
- Probate Process: Typically less complex than in New York, but still requires filings with the Surrogate’s Court.
- Will Challenges: Grounds include lack of capacity, undue influence, and fraud.
- Intestate Estates: If someone dies without a will, assets are distributed under New Jersey’s intestacy laws.
Federal Estate & Gift Tax Considerations
In addition to state-specific laws, federal estate and gift tax rules apply:
- Estates above the federal exemption threshold may be subject to estate tax.
- Lifetime gifts may also be taxable, depending on size and timing.
- Trusts can be used to reduce federal estate tax liability and preserve family wealth.
Why Skilled Representation Matters
Trusts and estates law is about more than documents — it’s about securing your family’s financial future, preventing disputes, and navigating complex tax and probate rules. Mistakes can cause unnecessary expense, conflict, or even litigation. Having an experienced trusts and estates attorney in New York and New Jersey ensures that your estate plan is sound, your probate process runs smoothly, and your loved ones are protected.
