Most New Yorkers don’t lose wealth to bad luck — they lose it to a plan built too late, or not at all. A single coordinated strategy session with Russel Morgan, Esq. can eliminate six-figure mistakes before they happen.
What One Appointment Can Prevent
| Risk | The Smart Solution |
|---|---|
| Dying without a will (EPTL Article 4 intestacy) | Executed will under EPTL §3-2.1 |
| Probate delays of 9–24 months | Revocable living trust under EPTL Article 7 |
| Loss of Medicaid eligibility | Irrevocable trust + 5-year look-back planning |
| Estate over the 2026 cliff ($7,717,500) | Gifting strategy + NY estate tax review |
| Medical crisis with no legal authority | Health Care Proxy under NY PHL Art. 29-C |
| Financial paralysis during incapacity | Durable POA under GOL §5-1513 |
Why 2026 Makes Timing Critical
New York’s basic exclusion is $7,350,000 for 2026. Estates exceeding the 105% cliff at $7,717,500 lose the entire exemption — taxed from dollar one at progressive rates up to 16%. New York also recaptures gifts made within three years of death. Early planning creates options; waiting closes them.
We serve clients across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate — see our statewide guide for local context.
Schedule Your 30-Minute Strategy Call →
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: estate planning in New York.