A good estate plan makes sure your assets go where you want them, your family is taken care of, and someone you trust can step in if you become incapacitated. In New York, the core documents are governed by the Estates, Powers & Trusts Law (EPTL) and related statutes.
The guides below walk through wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and beneficiary designations, with a focus on what Westchester County residents need to know.
Estate Planning in Westchester County, New York Articles
Beneficiary Designations in New York: What You Need to Know
Understanding beneficiary designations in New York, how they override wills, common mistakes, and how to coordinate them with your estate plan.
Digital Assets and Estate Planning in New York
How to plan for digital assets in your New York estate plan, including email, social media, cryptocurrency, and financial accounts. NY's RUFADAA law explained.
Estate Planning for High-Net-Worth Families in Westchester County
Advanced estate planning strategies for affluent Westchester County families navigating both New York and federal estate taxes, from credit shelter trusts to charitable planning.
Estate Planning in Westchester County: What Every Family Should Know
Estate planning for Westchester County families: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and New York estate tax strategies.
Health Care Proxy in New York
How a New York health care proxy works: who can serve as agent, execution requirements, the relationship to living wills, and why every adult needs one.
How Much Does Estate Planning Cost in Westchester County?
Estate planning costs in Westchester County range from $800-$3,000 for basic plans to $10,000+ for complex trusts. Learn what affects pricing and the value of professional planning.
Power of Attorney in New York
How the New York statutory power of attorney works: the formal requirements, agent authority, the statutory short form, and why every Westchester County adult needs one.
Prenuptial Agreements and Estate Planning in New York
How prenuptial agreements interact with New York estate law, including the elective share, and what Westchester County families should consider when coordinating prenups with estate plans.
The Elective Share in New York: A Surviving Spouse's Right
New York law guarantees a surviving spouse a minimum share of the decedent's estate. Learn how the elective share works under EPTL 5-1.1-A, including testamentary substitutes.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will in New York?
When you die without a will in New York, intestacy laws determine who inherits. Learn how EPTL 4-1.1 distributes your estate and why a will matters.
Wills in New York: What You Need to Know
How to make a valid will in New York: the formal requirements under EPTL 3-2.1, what a will can and cannot do, and common mistakes that invalidate wills.
Need Help with Estate Planning in Westchester County, New York?
Speak with a Westchester County attorney about your specific situation.