Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Documents in Walden, NY
Hudson Legacy Law helps Hudson Valley families plan for the future with personalized wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and life & legacy planning.
Your Estate Plan Is More Than a Will
A will may be one of the best-known estate planning documents, but comprehensive planning can involve much more. Your plan may need to address what happens to your assets after your death, who can manage financial matters if you cannot, who can make healthcare decisions for you, and how your wishes will be communicated to the people you trust.
Hudson Legacy Law helps you understand the purpose of each document so you can make informed choices instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all estate plan.
Wills: Put Your Wishes in Writing
A last will and testament allows you to document important decisions about your estate, including who should receive property and who should be responsible for administering your estate. For parents of minor children, a will can also address guardianship wishes.
If someone dies without a will, New York intestacy laws determine how applicable property is distributed. Creating a properly executed will gives you the opportunity to make those decisions yourself rather than relying on the state's default rules.
Dana works with clients to prepare wills that reflect their circumstances and fit within their broader estate planning goals.
Trusts: Plan for How Assets Are Managed
Trusts can provide additional options for managing and distributing assets. Depending on your circumstances and goals, a trust may become part of a comprehensive estate plan.
Because trusts can serve different purposes, deciding whether you need one should begin with your actual situation, not with a generic recommendation. We can help you understand how a trust may fit into your plan and whether it is appropriate for the people and assets you want to protect.
Powers of Attorney & Healthcare Directives
Estate planning should also address what happens during your lifetime if you become unable to handle important matters yourself.
A power of attorney can authorize a person you trust to handle specified financial and legal matters on your behalf. A healthcare directive can help communicate your healthcare wishes and identify the person you want involved in medical decision-making when applicable.
Putting these instructions in place can provide valuable direction to the people who may otherwise be left trying to determine what you would have wanted.
Life & Legacy Planning With Hudson Legacy Law
Dana Ware is a certified Personal Family Lawyer® and brings more than 15 years of legal industry experience to Hudson Legacy Law. Her life & legacy planning approach looks beyond individual documents to consider your family, assets, wishes, and broader legacy.
Rather than deciding that you need a particular document before speaking with an attorney, start with the bigger question: What does your estate plan need to accomplish? We can help you understand the available planning tools and create documents appropriate for your circumstances.
Common Questions About Estate Planning Documents
Is a will enough, or do I need a trust?
That depends on your assets, family circumstances, and planning goals. Wills and trusts serve different purposes, and an attorney can help you understand which tools may be appropriate for your plan.
What happens if I die without a will in New York?
New York's intestacy laws generally determine how property subject to those laws is distributed when someone dies without a valid will.
Do I need an estate plan if I do not have children?
Yes, estate planning can still address your assets, beneficiaries, healthcare wishes, and who may act for you if you become unable to make certain decisions yourself.
When should I review my estate planning documents?
It can be helpful to revisit your plan when your life, relationships, assets, business interests, or wishes change.
Can my estate plan be updated?
Estate plans can often be updated as circumstances change, although what can be changed depends on the documents involved.
Find Out Which Estate Planning Documents Fit Your Life
You do not have to determine which documents you need on your own. Start with Hudson Legacy Law's complimentary 15-minute intake call to learn about the firm's process and the next steps for scheduling a paid consultation.
