We’ve all been told that if we do nothing else to take care of our legal affairs, we should write a will. That’s pretty good advice.

If you don’t make a will before your death, state law will determine who gets your property (and it may well not be whom you would have chosen), and a judge may decide who will raise your children. In your will, you can make these decisions yourself.

While you may be considering writing a will on your own, we would urge you to reconsider. New York State has very specific requirements in order for a will to be considered valid, if your do-it-yourself will is not exactly to the standards set by the state, it is the same as not having a will at all.

You know you need a will, be sure you draft it correctly with the help of Kathleen Gaines.
Other areas to consider include:

  • Living Trusts and avoiding probate
  • Power of Attorney
  • Estate Taxes
  • Executors and Probate Court
  • Life Insurance