The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein is a New York law firm representing clients in various aspects of estate practice, including:
• Wills
• Trusts
• Living Wills and Health Care Proxies
• Durable Powers of Attorney
• Administering Estates

Living Wills & Health Care Proxies

Wills

If you die without leaving a valid legally enforceable will, your assets (other than those held jointly, or as tenants in common or tenants by the entirety, or containing a designated beneficiary) will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy. Accordingly, all or a substantial portion of your assets may be inherited by relatives who were not your intended beneficiaries. Therefore, we recommend that you execute a Will, and that your Will be reviewed periodically, to be sure that it accurately states your current intentions.

The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein will ask you the right questions to be sure that you communicate all of your wishes. This will ensure that your Will expresses your intentions in all important areas.

If you are a New York State resident, your Will should be prepared and properly executed in accordance with the strict requirements of New York law, in order to ensure that your wishes are honored. Keep in mind that if all the formalities required by New York law are not strictly followed, a disgruntled relative might acquire a basis to contest your Will. Even if the Will contest is successfully defeated by your estate, unnecessary legal costs and delay in distributing the estate’s assets may be incurred.

Living Trusts

A living trust can provide for the distribution of all assets held by the trust to designated beneficiaries. A living trust may enable all or a substantial portion of your assets to be distributed upon your death, without the substantial delays and fees incurred in probating your estate in the Surrogate's Court.

If all of your assets are held by the living trust, a Surrogate's Court proceeding would probably be unnecessary. Nevertheless, since most people will retain ownership of some assets in their own name, it is recommended that a Will also be executed to provide for the distribution of any non-trust assets.

Living Wills & Health Care Proxies

You can execute a Living Will and a Health Care Proxy which will express your wishes regarding your medical treatment, and designate a trusted relative, friend, etc. to make health care decisions for you, in the event that you are mentally or physically incapacitated. Also, you can execute a Power of Attorney authorizing a trusted relative or friend to take care of your financial matters in the event that you are mentally or physically incapacitated. These documents can also provide alternative appointments, in the event that any of the people selected by you are unable or unwilling to assume the designated responsibilities.

The Law Offices of Michael W. Goldstein has prepared many Living Wills & Health Care Proxies for its clients, many of whom requested these documents after having been informed from various sources about their importance.

If you would like to read what our clients say about us, please click on Client Testimonials.

You can reach Michael W. Goldstein at (212) 571-6848, or click Contact Us to send an email.