Bronx & Westchester Estate Planning Attorney > Bronx Estate Planning Attorney

Bronx Estate Planning Attorney

Estate planning is essential for anyone looking to protect their assets, provide for loved ones, and ensure their wishes are respected. Whether you’re starting a family, approaching retirement, or managing real estate, working with a skilled Bronx estate planning attorney can give you the clarity and control you need. At Cavallo & Cavallo, we help clients in the Bronx and surrounding areas craft comprehensive estate plans that reflect their unique goals and values.

Secure Your Future with a Trusted Bronx Estate Planning Lawyer

Many people assume estate planning is only necessary for the wealthy, but that’s far from true. A proper plan ensures your medical wishes are honored, your finances are managed in case of incapacity, and your loved ones are cared for when you’re gone. Without a plan, your estate may be subject to New York’s default probate and intestate succession laws—leaving important decisions in the hands of the court.

Common reasons people in the Bronx pursue estate planning include:

Avoiding probate delays and costs
Protecting property, savings, and investments
Appointing guardians for minor children
Minimizing state and federal estate taxes
Providing for a disabled loved one or elderly parent
Planning for long-term care and Medicaid eligibility

Estate planning gives you peace of mind and keeps your family from having to make difficult decisions during emotional times.

Core Documents in a New York Estate Plan

Each estate plan is tailored to the individual, but most include a combination of essential documents. These tools work together to handle matters related to healthcare, finances, and asset distribution:

Last Will and Testament
A will outlines how your assets should be distributed and who should serve as guardian for any minor children. Without a valid will, your estate will be distributed according to New York’s intestate laws, which may not align with your wishes.

Revocable Living Trust
Trusts can help manage your assets during your lifetime and distribute them after your death without going through probate. They offer more privacy and flexibility than a will.

Durable Power of Attorney
This document allows someone you trust to make financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

Health Care Proxy and Living Will
A health care proxy names someone to make medical decisions if you are unable to. A living will expresses your preferences for life-sustaining treatments.

Beneficiary Designations and Asset Titling
Some accounts, like life insurance and retirement plans, allow you to name beneficiaries directly. Ensuring consistency between your estate plan and these designations is key to avoiding conflict or delays.

Understanding New York Estate Laws

Estate planning in the Bronx is shaped by specific state laws that determine how estates are administered, taxed, and contested. Being aware of these laws is essential when creating a valid and effective plan.

For example:

New York does not impose an inheritance tax, but it does have an estate tax for estates exceeding the state exemption limit (currently over $6 million).
Probate is handled in the Surrogate’s Court and can take months or even years without proper planning.
The spousal right of election ensures a surviving spouse is entitled to a share of the estate, regardless of what’s written in the will.

A Bronx estate planning attorney can help ensure your plan is structured in compliance with current laws and tailored to your specific financial picture.

Planning for Medicaid and Long-Term Care

As people live longer, more families face the reality of high long-term care costs. Medicaid can help cover these expenses, but eligibility is based on strict income and asset limits. Without proper planning, you may be forced to spend down your assets to qualify.

Cavallo & Cavallo helps clients prepare in advance using tools such as:

Irrevocable Medicaid trusts to protect assets while preserving eligibility
Timely transfers of property and resources to avoid penalties during the five-year lookback period
Coordination of powers of attorney to allow financial transactions on your behalf

Planning early is the best way to secure care without sacrificing everything you’ve worked for.

Protecting Real Estate in the Bronx

Homeownership is a major part of many Bronx residents’ wealth. Making sure your property passes smoothly to your heirs requires more than just a will.

We help clients use strategies like:

Transferring real estate into a revocable or irrevocable trust
Creating a life estate deed to retain rights while naming a beneficiary
Using LLCs for income-generating property to protect against liability and simplify transfers

Proper real estate planning also ensures that properties don’t get tied up in probate, especially in co-op situations where board approval may be required.

Special Needs and Vulnerable Beneficiaries

Families with a disabled child or dependent need to take extra care in their planning. Inheriting assets outright could disqualify someone from receiving essential government benefits like Medicaid or SSI.

Special needs planning may include:

Establishing a third-party special needs trust to hold assets for the beneficiary’s care
Using a pooled trust if the assets come from the individual themselves
Writing a letter of intent to guide future caregivers on medical needs, daily routines, and goals

We work with families to ensure continuity of care and financial protection for their most vulnerable loved ones.

Business Succession and Estate Planning

Business owners in the Bronx need to plan not only for their personal estate but also for the future of their company. A good succession plan outlines what should happen to your business when you retire, become incapacitated, or pass away.

Planning might involve:

A buy-sell agreement with partners or family members
Designating a business successor or trustee
Structuring business assets within a trust or estate for tax efficiency

Without a plan, your business may be subject to disputes, forced sales, or closure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning in The Bronx

Do I need a lawyer to create a will in New York?
While you can create a will without a lawyer, having a Bronx estate planning attorney ensures that your documents meet state requirements, are properly witnessed, and reflect your full intentions.

What happens if I die without a will?
New York’s intestate succession laws will apply. Your estate may go to a spouse, children, parents, or other relatives based on a legal formula, not necessarily your personal wishes.

How often should I update my estate plan?
You should review your plan every 3 to 5 years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or a significant change in assets.

Is probate always necessary in New York?
Not always. Assets held in trusts or with proper beneficiary designations can bypass probate. However, assets in your name alone will generally go through the probate process unless otherwise planned.

Can I use a trust to avoid estate taxes?
In some cases, yes. Irrevocable trusts and other strategies can reduce the size of your taxable estate and provide other benefits such as asset protection.

What is the difference between a living will and a health care proxy?
A living will details your wishes for end-of-life care. A health care proxy appoints someone to make medical decisions for you if you’re unable to do so.

Serving Throughout The Bronx

Riverdale
Spuyten Duyvil
Pelham Bay
Morris Park
Throggs Neck
Kingsbridge
Woodlawn
Parkchester
Bedford Park
Fordham

How Cavallo & Cavallo Can Help

Estate planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. At Cavallo & Cavallo, we take a personalized approach to help Bronx families, individuals, and business owners achieve peace of mind. We have been guiding clients in the Bronx and surrounding areas for over 30 years and are dedicated to building plans that reflect your values, avoid legal complications, and protect what matters most.

Our services include:

Drafting wills, trusts, and healthcare directives
Real estate and Medicaid planning
Special needs and elder law planning
Probate and estate administration
Business and tax strategies

We explain your options clearly and work with you to craft a plan that fits your needs today and into the future.

Contact a Bronx Estate Planning Attorney Today

Your future, your loved ones, and your legacy deserve thoughtful preparation. Don’t leave important decisions to chance. Speak with a trusted Bronx estate planning attorney at Cavallo & Cavallo to start building a plan that brings you peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take control of your tomorrow.

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