Every family has its own story. Your assets, your relationships, your worries — none of them are exactly like anyone else’s. At Morgan Legal Group, we believe your estate plan should reflect that. Attorney Russel Morgan, Esq. has guided New Yorkers across the state — from New York City and Long Island to Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate communities — through one of the most personal decisions they will ever make.
This site exists for one reason: you. Not abstract legal doctrine. Not a generic checklist that could belong to anyone. A real plan, built around the life you have built and the people you love.
What “For You” Actually Means in Practice
Estate planning in New York is not one document — it is a coordinated set of four instruments that protect you at every stage of life.
| Document | What It Does | Governing Law |
|---|---|---|
| Will | Directs asset distribution; names guardians for minor children | EPTL §3-2.1 |
| Trust | Avoids probate; enables tax planning, asset protection & Medicaid strategy | EPTL Article 7 |
| Durable Power of Attorney | Appoints someone to handle finances if you are incapacitated | GOL §5-1513 |
| Health Care Proxy | Appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf | NY Public Health Law Art. 29-C |
These four documents work together. A will alone leaves your family exposed to probate delays. A trust without a health care proxy leaves a gap at the hospital bedside. We design every plan so the pieces fit — for your situation, not a template.
Why New York Families Need a Plan Sooner Than They Think
If you die without a will, New York’s intestacy laws under EPTL Article 4 decide who inherits — and those rules rarely match what you would have chosen. A spouse may share your estate with adult children. A beloved partner who was never legally married may receive nothing.
The 2026 New York estate tax adds another layer of urgency. The basic exclusion is $7,350,000 for deaths through December 31, 2026 — but New York’s notorious “cliff” means an estate valued at even $7,717,500 (105% of the exclusion) loses the entire exemption and is taxed from dollar one at rates from 3% to 16%. Learn more on our NY Estate Tax Guide.
New York also has no gift tax — but gifts made within three years of death are added back to the taxable estate, so timing matters. An irrevocable trust can be a powerful tool here, as can careful use of the power of attorney to act while you still can.
Serving You Across New York State
Our statewide practice means your family’s needs are not limited by geography. Whether you are planning your first will, establishing a revocable trust to spare your heirs probate, coordinating a health care proxy with your physician, or beginning a conversation about what your full estate planning overview should look like — we are here.
Ready to talk? Schedule a 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan, Esq. at a time that works for you.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: estate planning in New York.