Macedonio and Duncan, LLP provides comprehensive estate planning services to clients throughout Suffolk County. We work with individuals and families from all walks of life and customize estate plans to each client’s unique needs.
When you consult with us, we will take the time to learn about your life and your family and help you establish an estate plan that achieves your objectives. From drafting wills and other essential documents to designing trust-based estate plans, we can help to protect your assets and your loved ones. Contact our Islip Terrace office today to speak with an experienced estate planning attorney.
Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Suffolk County, New York
While confronting our own mortality is daunting, creating an estate plan is a responsible thing to do. A well-conceived estate plan is not limited to deciding who gets what after you pass away. Proper planning can help to achieve important objectives such as planning for incapacity, providing for a special needs loved one, and preserving your wealth.
At a minimum, a well-conceived estate plan should include the following documents:
- Will (Last Will and Testament) — This is the most basic estate planning document that declares how your property will be managed and distributed upon your death and names an executor to carry out your instructions. Also, a will is the only way to designate
a guardian for your minor children if both parents have died.
- Durable Power of Attorney — This legal document allows you to name a trusted person (e.g. spouse, adult child, close associate) to act as your agent, conducting your personal and business affairs if you become incapacitated, such as managing property and bank accounts, and paying debts.
- Advance Health Care Directive — Also referred to as a healthcare proxy, this important document names someone to act as your healthcare representative to make decisions about the medical care you should receive if you cannot communicate your wishes due to an illness or injury.
At Macedonio and Duncan, we regularly advise clients on will-based estate plans and also help them consider other effective estate planning tools, such as:
Revocable Living Trust
A revocable living trust takes ownership of your property while allowing you to continue managing it during your lifetime. Because you no longer own the property, probate is not necessary, however, the trust must go through an administration phase to carry out the terms of the trust.
A living trust also serves as an incapacity planning tool because you can designate the trustee to manage the property if you become incapacitated.
Irrevocable Trust
An irrevocable trust cannot be changed or modified during your lifetime and is designed to help you achieve objectives such as providing for a loved one with special needs, planning for long-term care, leaving a charitable legacy, protecting your assets from creditors and legal claims, and mitigating or avoiding estate taxes.
Guardianship
A guardianship is designed to protect a loved one, either a minor child or an adult, and his or her estate in the event of a debilitating illness or injury.
Why Choose Madeconio and Duncan for Your Estate Planning Needs
A well-conceived estate plan will not only protect your assets and loved ones when you pass away, it can also help you navigate life’s transitions. By working with our capable trust and estate attorneys, you will be well-prepared for the expected and the unexpected.
Our services are not limited to drawing up documents. We will work closely with you to design an estate plan that helps you achieve your financial objectives. In addition, we provide ongoing counsel to ensure that your estate plan is aligned with life’s changes: marriage, owning a home, starting a family, retiring. Our trust and estate attorneys also advise clients with closely held businesses and professional practices about business succession planning as part of a comprehensive estate plan.
While some may believe that they don’t need an estate plan because they don’t have children or significant assets, we believe that estate planning is for everyone. Our legal team advises clients from all walks of life: individuals, families, business owners, and same-sex couples.
We understand that each client has unique needs and will work with you to create an estate plan that best suits yours. Regardless of your financial or family circumstances, trust Macedonio and Duncan to provide you with compassionate, efficient representation and dependable service.
Contact Our Experienced Suffolk County, New York Estate Planning Attorneys
At Macedonio and Duncan, we have a working knowledge of the applicable trust and estate laws and a well-earned reputation for serving our clients with the highest standards of professional excellence. When you become our client, rest assured we will always work in your best interests. Don’t wait to plan your estate, contact our office today!
