When you sit down to protect your future — not a family corporation, not a business partnership, just you — every document in the plan needs to reflect your individual circumstances, wishes, and risk profile. At Morgan Legal Group, attorney Russel Morgan, Esq. structures each appointment around the single person in the room.
What One Appointment Covers
A complete New York estate plan for an individual rests on four coordinated documents:
| Document | Governing Law | What It Does for You |
|---|---|---|
| Last Will & Testament | EPTL §3-2.1 | Names beneficiaries; requires two witnesses & testator signature at the end |
| Revocable or Irrevocable Trust | EPTL Article 7 | Avoids probate; irrevocable forms address Medicaid’s 5-year look-back & tax reduction |
| Durable Power of Attorney | GOL §5-1513 | Authorizes a trusted agent for financial decisions — durable by default under the 2021 statutory form |
| Health Care Proxy | NY Public Health Law Art. 29-C | Appoints a separate agent for medical decisions only |
Why Timing Matters in 2026
New York’s estate tax basic exclusion is $7,350,000 for deaths in 2026. Critically, an estate exceeding 105% of that threshold — $7,717,500 — loses the entire exemption and is taxed from dollar one at rates up to 16%. Gifts made within three years of death are pulled back into the taxable estate. A single planning session can identify whether an irrevocable trust or strategic gifting fits your individual picture before that cliff becomes relevant.
Serving individuals across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate — learn more about statewide coverage or explore the full estate planning overview.
Schedule Your 30-Minute Individual Consultation →
Explore related pages: Wills · Trusts · Power of Attorney · Health Care Proxy · NY Estate Tax Guide
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