Trusts That Work When Your Family Needs Them Most
Why So Many Long Island Families Choose a Trust Over a Will
A will transfers your assets — but only after a judge says so. Probate is public, it takes time, and it costs money your family shouldn't have to spend. A trust, by contrast, transfers what you've built directly to the people you love, on your terms, without court involvement. For families across Nassau and Suffolk counties, a properly drafted trust is often the most important legal document they'll ever put in place.
The question isn't whether you need a trust. For most families, the question is which type fits your situation — and whether the trust you have, or are considering, is actually set up to function the way you expect it to.
What Makes a Trust Actually Work — and Why So Many Don't
A trust is only as effective as its funding. An unfunded trust — one that was never formally connected to the assets it was meant to hold — does nothing. Your home stays in your name, your accounts pass outside the trust, and your family ends up in probate anyway. This is one of the most common and most preventable failures in estate planning.
We don't hand you a signed document and consider the job done. We walk through the funding process with you, coordinate with your financial institutions, and confirm that your real estate, accounts, and other assets are properly titled to the trust. We also schedule a plan review at least every three years — because life changes, tax laws change, and your trust should keep pace with both.
Not every trust solves the same problem. We match the structure to the goal — whether that's avoiding probate, reducing estate taxes, providing for a child with special needs, or protecting assets from future creditors. The most common trust structures we work with include:
- Revocable Living Trust — Avoids probate, keeps your affairs private, and lets you stay in full control of your assets during your lifetime. The foundation of most comprehensive estate plans.
- Irrevocable Trust — Removes assets from your taxable estate and can shield them from creditors. Often used in Medicaid planning and high-net-worth tax strategies.
- Testamentary Trust — Created inside a will and funded at death. Useful for leaving assets to minor children or beneficiaries who need structured distributions over time.
- Special Needs Trust — Holds assets for a loved one with a disability without disqualifying them from government benefits like Medicaid or SSI.
- Asset Protection Trust — Shields assets from future lawsuits, creditors, or divorce proceedings while allowing you to remain a potential beneficiary.
- Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT) — Moves assets out of a taxable estate while keeping them accessible to a spouse during their lifetime.
- Charitable Remainder Trust / Charitable Lead Trust — Structures giving to reduce estate taxes while supporting causes that matter to your family.
Every trust we draft is reviewed against your full financial and family picture through our LIFT planning process — covering lifestyle, insurance, financial, and tax considerations — so nothing falls through the cracks.
The Types of Trusts We Use Most Often for Long Island Families
Working with a Trust Attorney on Long Island Who Builds for the Long Term
Most estate planning clients come to us once and never hear from their attorney again. That's not how we work. Every family we serve becomes a client for life — not a closed file. When you work with us as your trust attorney on Long Island, you get fixed fees agreed to upfront, a clear explanation of what your documents do and why, and a standing relationship that means we're here when circumstances change.
We serve families throughout Garden City, Huntington, Massapequa, and communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Whether you're starting your first plan, updating an existing trust, or navigating a trust that was poorly drafted somewhere else, we can help you get to a plan that actually works.
Every plan we build starts with your family's goals, then draws on whichever services fit your situation. Learn more about Estate Planning, Probate Administration, Kids Protection Planning, Asset Protection, Elder Law, Special Needs Planning, and LIFT Planning.
What Clients Say
Serving Long Island and New York City
Jason R. Breit, Esq. P.C. provides fixed-fee estate planning for individuals and families throughout Long Island and New York City, including:
- Melville, NY
- Garden City, NY
- Huntington, NY
- Massapequa, NY
- Long Island, including Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- New York City
Prefer to meet remotely? Jason offers
estate planning consultations by Zoom, providing the same personalized guidance whether you’re on Long Island, in New York City, or meeting at his Melville office.
Common Questions About Trusts in New York
Do I need a trust if I already have a will?
Possibly. A will alone requires probate — a court-supervised process that can take months and cost thousands of dollars in legal and court fees. A trust avoids probate entirely, keeps your affairs private, and allows assets to transfer immediately to your beneficiaries. For many families, a revocable living trust paired with a pour-over will is a stronger foundation than a will alone.How much does a trust cost in New York?
We charge fixed fees agreed to before any work begins, so you'll know exactly what your plan costs before you commit. The fee depends on the complexity of your situation and the type of trust involved. We discuss this transparently during your initial consultation.Can I change my trust after it's signed?
It depends on the type. A revocable living trust can be amended or revoked at any time during your lifetime. An irrevocable trust, by definition, cannot be changed without court approval or the consent of all beneficiaries — which is part of why it provides stronger asset protection and tax benefits.What happens if I don't fund my trust?
An unfunded trust has no legal effect on the assets left outside it. Those assets would still pass through your will — and through probate — rather than directly to your beneficiaries. Funding the trust is as important as drafting it, and we make sure both steps are completed correctly.Is a trust only for wealthy families?
No. Trusts are valuable for a wide range of families — not just high-net-worth households. If you own a home, have minor children, care for a loved one with special needs, or simply want to spare your family from probate, a trust may be the right tool regardless of the size of your estate.
Ready to Build a Trust That Holds Up When It Matters
The goal isn't a signed document in a drawer. It's a plan your family can actually rely on — one that's funded, reviewed, and built around your real life. We work with families throughout Long Island to create trusts that do exactly that.
Reach out to schedule a conversation. We'll start by understanding your family, your assets, and what you're trying to accomplish — and we'll give you a clear picture of what the right structure looks like for your situation.