Working to Preserve Legacies in Long Island & the New York Metro Area
Anderson, Bowman, Wallshein PLLC is a trusted source for comprehensive estate planning and administration services in the New York metropolitan area. Our firm features attorneys with a wealth of experience and a commitment to providing personalized solutions that address clients’ assets, family dynamics, and visions for the future.
If you have yet to create an estate plan, there is no better time than now to start. Having our team create a detailed plan can give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Do you need to update your estate plan? Are you in the process of administering an estate and need guidance? Turn to us for invaluable support and advice.
Many of the people who come to us in Queens are unsure which documents they actually need or how New York law will treat assets such as co-op apartments, family-owned businesses, or property in more than one state. We take the time to explain how wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations work together under New York’s estate and tax rules so you can choose an approach that fits your circumstances instead of relying on generic forms. Our goal is to help you understand both your options and the practical consequences of each choice before you sign anything.
Estate planning is also closely connected to issues like long-term care, Medicaid eligibility, and protecting family members who may live with disabilities or rely on income from Queens rental properties. When you meet with an estate planning attorney in Queens at our firm, we review how your plan can address these concerns while keeping an eye on court procedures in Queens County Surrogate’s Court and any potential probate delays. By looking ahead in this way, we work to reduce future stress for your family and provide a clearer roadmap for whoever will handle your affairs.
Discuss your situation and what our Queens estate planning attorneys can offer in a free consultation. Call (929) 590-5053 or contact us online to request yours.
Who Is Estate Planning For?
We believe estate planning is for everyone. While thinking about what will happen after you pass away can be uncomfortable, doing so is necessary to help make sure your loved ones will be taken care of according to your wishes.
Our attorneys work with clients from all walks of life, including:
Parents who want to provide for their children
Business owners wanting to safeguard assets and ensure smooth succession
Individuals or couples who have significant assets they want to preserve and pass on to loved ones
Older individuals planning for retirement and long-term care
We also frequently assist blended families, unmarried partners, and people who have relatives living outside the United States. These situations often require careful drafting to avoid disputes among heirs and to address how New York intestacy laws would divide property if there were no will. By speaking with an estate planning lawyer Queens residents trust, you can clarify who should inherit, how and when children will receive funds, and who should be appointed to make decisions if you become unable to act on your own.
You do not need to have a large estate to benefit from thoughtful planning. Even a modest home in Queens, a retirement account, and a checking account can create complications if there is no clear direction. We help clients decide when a simple will is sufficient and when tools like revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, or joint ownership make more sense. Our team takes into account your stage of life, family responsibilities, and comfort level with ongoing management so your plan remains workable in everyday terms, not just on paper.
Not sure where to start? Get a free consultation with our experienced attorneys to discuss your legal needs. We’ll provide you with clear guidance and expert advice, with no obligation.
Our attorneys work closely with clients to tailor estate plans to their goals and unique needs. We take the time to truly understand our clients and what they want to achieve before creating a plan.
Once finished, an estate plan may include:
A will, which details how assets should be distributed after your passing
Trusts, which can protect assets from taxes and creditors and help ensure they are managed according to your wishes
Powers of attorney for finances and healthcare, which designate someone to make crucial decisions if you become unable to do so
Advance directives or living wills, which express your wishes for end-of-life care
Guardianship designations, which determine who will take care of minor children if you and your co-parent pass away or become incapacitated
A business ownership and succession plan featuring provisions concerning choice of entity, buy-sell agreements, stock bonus and option agreements, and tax-free distributions
Tax-minimizing strategies designed to maximize the value of your estate
Life insurance policies, which can support your loved ones after you pass away
Charitable giving plans that allow you to support important causes while potentially reducing your tax burden
In New York, each of these documents must meet specific statutory requirements to be valid, and small mistakes can create confusion or even lead to litigation after a death. We review how your current assets are titled, how beneficiary designations are written, and whether prior planning—such as older wills or out-of-state trusts—needs to be updated to comply with New York law. By coordinating all of these pieces, a Queens estate planning lawyer at our firm works to create a clear, cohesive plan that is easier for your family to follow.
We also discuss practical issues that are often overlooked, such as where to store original documents, how to communicate your wishes to the people you have named, and when it may be appropriate to revisit your plan. Major life events like marriage, divorce, the purchase of a home in Queens, the birth of a child, or the sale of a business can all affect whether your existing documents still accomplish what you intended. Our team encourages clients to view estate planning as an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time transaction so that their documents continue to reflect their lives.
Request a free consultation with one of our estate planning and administration lawyers in Queens. Call (929) 590-5053 or get in touch through our online contact form.
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Estate Planning vs. Administration
Estate planning involves creating a plan for distributing your assets after your passing. Estate administration is the process of carrying out and fulfilling the terms of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
Some of the tasks involved in estate administration include:
Proving the validity of a will
Identifying and gathering assets
Paying debts
Filing state and federal death tax returns
Distributing assets according to directions in a will or trust
Our team has extensive experience in estate planning and administration, as well as relevant legal areas like business, real estate, and family law, allowing us to guide clients through every step with confidence and efficiency.
In Queens, estate administration often begins in Queens County Surrogate’s Court, where deadlines, filing requirements, and notice rules must be followed carefully. Families who have never dealt with the court system can find this process confusing, especially when they are still grieving. We help executors and administrators understand their responsibilities, gather the information the court requires, and respond to questions from beneficiaries or creditors so that the matter can move forward in an orderly way.
Questions frequently arise about how to handle real estate, such as a family home in Queens or investment property that generates rental income. We advise fiduciaries on when it may be appropriate to sell property, transfer it to heirs, or keep it within a trust, taking into account tax consequences and any mortgages or co-op board requirements. By working with an estate attorney Queens residents can rely on, families receive guidance that considers both legal obligations and the practical realities of maintaining or transferring important assets.
Common Estate Planning Concerns in Queens
People in Queens often face estate planning questions that are shaped by the mix of housing types, family structures, and small businesses found across the borough. Co-op and condo ownership, multi-family homes, and investment properties can all raise different issues when it comes time to pass assets to the next generation. We help clients think through how these local realities interact with New York estate laws so they can develop a plan that reflects both their goals and the way their property is actually held.
Many families also worry about potential disputes among relatives, especially where there are second marriages, stepchildren, or relatives who live outside the country. We work with clients to anticipate where disagreements might arise and to use clear, detailed documents to reduce the chances of conflict later on. An estate lawyer Queens residents meet with at our firm may recommend tools like trusts, staggered distributions, or specific directions about who will manage property so that expectations are understood in advance.
Another common concern involves planning for incapacity and long-term care, particularly given the cost of care in New York City and the surrounding counties. We discuss how financial and health care powers of attorney, health care proxies, and possible Medicaid planning strategies can fit together to provide a safety net if you cannot manage your own affairs. By addressing these issues before a crisis occurs, you can give the people you trust the legal authority and practical guidance they will need to act on your behalf.
What to Expect from Estate Planning & Administration Lawyers in Queens
At Anderson, Bowman, Wallshein PLLC, we aim to protect our clients’ assets and wishes by establishing clear and effective estate plans that leave no detail behind.
To accomplish this, we employ a two-step approach:
We thoroughly analyze what our clients need and want to achieve through estate planning. This step involves reviewing asset portfolios and discussing goals and dynamics unique to each client.
We assist clients in selecting legally enforceable methods for retaining, administering, and transferring wealth and carrying out their wishes.
In the realm of estate administration, we strive to simplify the process for clients and protect their rights and interests.
Numerous people have been glad they counted on us for estate planning and administration. With the support of our team, clients have safeguarded all kinds of assets, avoided probate, navigated tax laws, helped make sure their loved ones were taken care of, and more. Visit our Reviews page to read about some of the positive experiences that clients have had at our firm.
When you first meet with an estate planning attorney Queens families turn to for guidance, we walk through your existing documents, if any, and ask detailed questions about your priorities and concerns. This might include talking about who depends on you financially, whether anyone in your family has special needs, and how you feel about granting decision-making authority to particular people. We then explain in plain language how different planning tools could address those issues so you can make informed choices about the structure of your plan.
For clients involved in estate administration, we outline the typical timeline in Queens County, from filing the original petition to obtaining court authority, collecting and valuing assets, and ultimately making distributions. Throughout the process, we keep fiduciaries informed about upcoming steps and help them prepare the accountings and records that the court and beneficiaries may request. Our aim is to reduce surprises, answer questions promptly, and offer steady support so that you do not feel you are handling these responsibilities alone.
Request a free consultation with one of our estate planning and administration lawyers in Queens. Call (929) 590-5053 or get in touch through our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Start Working on an Estate Plan?
It is wise to consider an estate plan as soon as you have dependents, own real estate, or hold accounts that you want to control after your lifetime. Many people in Queens begin planning when they purchase a home, get married, or have children, but there is no need to wait for a particular milestone. Starting earlier allows you to make decisions calmly and to update your documents over time as your circumstances change.
Do I Need a Will If I Already Have Beneficiary Designations?
Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance policies control who receives those specific assets, but they do not address everything you own. A will can cover assets that do not pass by beneficiary designation and can also name guardians for minor children and outline your wishes for personal property. Having both coordinated beneficiary forms and a carefully drafted will helps create a more complete and consistent plan.
What Is the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?
Probate assets are items that are titled in your name alone and that do not have a valid beneficiary designation or joint owner with rights of survivorship. These assets typically pass through the Surrogate’s Court process after your death. Non-probate assets, such as accounts with named beneficiaries or property held in a properly funded trust, generally pass outside of probate, which can shorten the timeline and reduce court involvement for your beneficiaries.
