Wills Lawyers in Manhasset, NY Can Help Protect Your Assets and Make Your Final Wishes Known

Estate planning is a vital task if you hope to protect your assets and ensure your wishes are respected when you pass on. This process has many important steps, but creating a will might be the most essential. Unfortunately, even simple mistakes can render this legal document invalid. That is why you should consider speaking with a wills lawyer in Manhasset, NY.

At Marchese & Maynard, LLP , we understand the importance of having a solid and up-to-date will. It would be nice if you could create this document on your own from the comfort of your home, but hurdles in New York’s estate law make this a difficult endeavor. Fortunately, our law firm can simplify the process as much as possible and ensure your assets are distributed as you see fit.

Why Do You Need a Will in New York?

Some people question whether they even need a will. This is particularly the case for those who have smaller estates. Even in cases where a small estate proceeding is possible — which New York defines as estates smaller than $50,000 — it’s still advisable to have a valid will in place. That’s because everyone has an estate to distribute, and without a will, this is going to take place without any input on your part.

When someone dies without a will in New York, the judge will assign an administrator. This will typically be your closest relative, but surviving family members may also choose a Manhasset, NY probate attorney or another individual to handle the process. Regardless of who is assigned, your assets will be distributed based on state law rather than your wishes. This can result in unexpected and undesirable outcomes in many instances.

Such potential outcomes often make it advisable to speak with a wills lawyer in Manhasset, NY from the start.

What Makes a Will Valid?

Far too many people believe that simply writing out a will is enough to make it valid. Unfortunately, this is not the case in New York. In fact, such a handwritten document — known as a holographic will — is only valid in our state under very narrow circumstances involving servicemembers and seafarers. Otherwise, there are specific formalities that must be met. These include:

• The will's creator (i.e., the testator) must be 18 or older
• The document must be printed on paper
• Two adults must witness the signing of the will
• The witnesses cannot be named beneficiaries in the document

Failing to meet any of these requirements will typically render a will invalid. This means that a person’s estate could be in danger without them even knowing it. That is just one of the many reasons you should consider speaking with a wills lawyer in Manhasset, NY. Estate planning is not something you want to leave up to chance. The legal professionals at Marchese & Maynard, LLP, can help ensure this doesn’t happen.

Do You Need a Living Will in Manhasset, NY?

When most people think of creating a will, they’re concerned about what happens to their estate once they’ve passed. Of course, death isn’t the only time when someone may be unable to make decisions for themselves. This is particularly true when accidents, age, or disease leave a person incapacitated. That’s where a living will can come into play.

Also frequently referred to as a personal directive or advance healthcare directive, a living will dictates your preferred medical decisions if you’re ever incapacitated. You can choose a healthcare proxy to make similar decisions and make your wishes known. While this is different from a traditional will, it’s still an important part of planning for the future.

Let our Manhasset, NY wills lawyers help you with this and your other planning needs.

Contact a Wills Lawyer in Manhasset, NY Today

No one particularly enjoys discussing their own mortality. However, there’s no getting around the fact that we’ll all pass on at some point. When this happens, you want to ensure that your assets are distributed as you wish and that your final wishes are known. Creating a valid will is the best way to do this in New York, and with the help of a skilled legal team, you can do this and so much more in the estate planning process.

At Marchese & Maynard, LLP, we’ve spent years helping the citizens of New York create the necessary documents to properly protect and pass on their assets. A valid will is the foundation of any solid estate plan, and our law firm can assist you with creating one that fits your needs. We can also help with other necessary estate tasks, so contact us today by calling 516-869-1111 for a free consultation. Our wills lawyers in Manhasset, NY are ready to assist.