Bronx & Westchester Estate Planning Attorney > Westchester Estate Planning Attorney

Westchester Estate Planning Attorney

Planning your estate is essential to securing your family’s future, protecting your assets, and making sure your wishes are honored. A knowledgeable Westchester estate planning attorney can guide you through the process, helping you create a plan that reflects your personal goals and protects your loved ones. At Cavallo & Cavallo, our Westchester estate planning attorneys help clients throughout Westchester County build estate plans that provide clarity, minimize legal complications, and reduce financial burdens.

What Estate Planning Covers and Why It Matters

Estate planning involves more than just writing a will. It’s a comprehensive process that allows you to direct how your property will be handled after your death, who will care for minor children, and who will make decisions if you become incapacitated. In Westchester, where many residents have significant real estate holdings and complex financial portfolios, these plans are particularly important.

Estate planning can help you:

Name guardians for minor children
Avoid the delays and costs of probate
Minimize state and federal estate taxes
Prevent family disputes
Appoint someone you trust to manage your affairs if you become unable to

Without a valid estate plan, your assets will be distributed according to New York’s intestacy laws, which may not reflect your intentions.

Core Estate Planning Documents in New York

A strong estate plan includes several legal documents that work together to ensure your wishes are clear and enforceable. These tools not only guide what happens after death but also provide protection during your lifetime.

The essential documents include:

A Last Will and Testament to distribute property and name an executor
A Revocable Living Trust to manage and transfer assets outside of probate
A Durable Power of Attorney to handle financial matters during incapacity
A Health Care Proxy and Living Will to direct your medical care
Updated beneficiary designations for retirement accounts and life insurance

Each component serves a distinct role and should be kept current as life changes.

Probate and Estate Administration in Westchester County

Probate is the legal process of validating a will and settling an estate through the Surrogate’s Court. If there is no will, the estate is handled under New York’s intestacy statutes. This process can be slow, stressful, and costly for surviving family members, especially when there are disputes or unclear intentions.

Some key facts about probate in Westchester:

It is required unless the estate is held in a trust or passes automatically
The process can last from several months to over a year
Legal fees and court costs can reduce the value of the estate
Estates valued under $50,000 may qualify for simplified administration

Working with an estate planning attorney can help you minimize or avoid probate, ensuring a more efficient transfer of assets.

Reducing Estate Taxes and Preserving Wealth

New York has its own estate tax system with an exemption amount that changes annually. For 2025, estates exceeding approximately $6.94 million may be subject to tax. This can pose a challenge for Westchester residents with valuable property, retirement accounts, or business interests.

Proper planning can help reduce or eliminate estate tax exposure by:

Using marital deductions for spouses
Creating credit shelter trusts
Making strategic lifetime gifts within IRS limits
Utilizing irrevocable life insurance trusts
Setting up charitable giving vehicles

These strategies must be implemented in advance, making early planning critical.

Planning for Incapacity and Long-Term Care

Estate planning is just as much about protecting you during your lifetime as it is about planning for after your death. If you become mentally or physically unable to make decisions, having the right documents in place ensures your affairs will be handled smoothly by someone you trust.

This includes:

A Durable Power of Attorney for finances
A Health Care Proxy to appoint a medical decision-maker
A Living Will stating your preferences for life-sustaining treatment

For those concerned about long-term care costs, especially in a region like Westchester where nursing care is expensive, Medicaid planning may be necessary. This can involve transferring assets to protect them from being used to pay for care while maintaining eligibility for government benefits.

Special Needs and Elder Law Considerations

If you have a loved one with special needs or an elderly relative requiring long-term care, estate planning can be adapted to meet their specific needs. A poorly structured inheritance can disqualify someone from benefits like SSI or Medicaid.

Special needs planning may include:

Creating a Special Needs Trust to hold assets without affecting eligibility
Naming appropriate trustees to manage funds
Coordinating benefits and private resources for lifelong support

We also help clients plan for guardianship or explore alternatives that ensure the well-being of vulnerable family members.

Business Succession and Legacy Planning

For business owners in Westchester, estate planning should also address the future of their business. A succession plan can ensure a smooth transfer of ownership and protect the business’s value.

Important aspects include:

Naming a successor or selling the business
Drafting buy-sell agreements with partners
Minimizing taxes on the transfer
Coordinating business succession with your personal estate plan

A clear plan reduces uncertainty for both family members and business partners.

When to Update Your Estate Plan

Life changes can make your estate plan outdated or ineffective. Reviewing your plan every few years, or after significant life events, helps ensure it still meets your goals.

You should consider an update if you:

Get married, divorced, or remarried
Have or adopt children
Experience the death of a spouse or beneficiary
Buy or sell a major asset like a home or business
Move to or from New York
See changes in tax laws that affect your estate

At Cavallo & Cavallo, we offer ongoing support to keep your documents current and aligned with your wishes.

Serving Throughout Westchester, NY

Scarsdale
Bronxville
Larchmont
Rye
Chappaqua
Pelham
Armonk
Mamaroneck
Dobbs Ferry
Tarrytown

How Cavallo & Cavallo Can Help

Cavallo & Cavallo brings decades of experience helping Westchester families build comprehensive estate plans tailored to their unique needs. We provide trusted guidance through every stage of the process—from creating wills and trusts to advanced tax planning, asset protection, and elder law matters.

Clients rely on us for:

In-depth knowledge of New York estate laws and Westchester courts
Personalized attention and strategic planning
Thorough document preparation and legal guidance
Ongoing reviews and updates to adapt to life changes
Compassionate, client-centered service

Whether your estate is simple or complex, we work to preserve your legacy and protect the people you care about most.

Talk to a Westchester Estate Planning Attorney Today

Estate planning is one of the most meaningful steps you can take for your future and your family. Start building your plan with a skilled Westchester estate planning attorney at Cavallo & Cavallo. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and create a plan that provides peace of mind and long-term security.

Share This Page: