Your Will Should Work When Your Family Needs It Most — Not Leave Them Guessing
Why a Will Is the Start of Everything for Your Family's Plan
A will is often the first document families think of when they decide to get their affairs in order — and for good reason. It is the legal foundation on which everything else in your estate plan is built. Drafting a will forces a clear conversation about what you own, who you want to protect, and what you want to happen — and that clarity carries through every other decision you make.
For parents, a will does something no other document can: it names a guardian for your minor children, ensuring that choice is yours and not a court's. For everyone, it appoints a trusted executor, directs your assets to the right people, and gives your family a clear roadmap at an already difficult time. Without one, New York's intestacy laws decide for you — and the result rarely matches what you would have chosen.
Who Needs a Will on Long Island
There is no minimum age or asset threshold that triggers the need for a will. If you have children, own property, or care about what happens to your belongings, a will matters. We work with a wide range of families across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including:
- Married couples with children who want clear, coordinated plans
- Single parents who need a named guardian in place
- Blended and remarried families navigating competing obligations
- Unmarried partners whose relationship the law does not automatically recognize
- Adults who own a home, a business, or meaningful personal property
- Older adults updating plans that no longer reflect their current family or finances
If you've had a major life change — a marriage, a divorce, a new child, the death of a beneficiary or executor — your existing will may need to be revisited. We offer a free plan review at least every three years to every client, so your documents stay current without you having to remember to ask.
Many families are surprised by how much a well-drafted will can address. Beyond distributing property, a comprehensive will:
- Names a guardian for your minor children, so that decision is never left to a court
- Appoints an executor you trust to manage and close your estate
- Specifies how debts, taxes, and final expenses should be handled
- Directs particular assets — family heirlooms, a business interest, a specific account — to the people you intend
- Establishes a testamentary trust to hold assets for children until they reach an age you choose
- Coordinates with any existing trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint accounts in your overall plan
A will doesn't exist in isolation. We review your full financial picture as part of every estate planning engagement, including your insurance, retirement accounts, and tax exposure, so the will fits into a plan that works as a whole.
What a Properly Drafted Will Actually Covers
How We Approach Will Drafting Differently
We're affiliated with the Personal Family Lawyer network, which means our process is built around relationships, not transactions. Before we draft anything, we sit down with you to understand your family dynamics, your concerns, and what you want your plan to accomplish. That conversation shapes everything.
Our fees are fixed and agreed to in advance, so you know exactly what you're paying before we begin. There are no hourly billing surprises and no ambiguity about what's included. Every estate planning engagement also includes our LIFT planning review — a look at your lifestyle, insurance, financial, and tax picture — because a will that doesn't account for those factors is only part of a plan.
We treat every client as a long-term relationship. When your family grows, your assets change, or the law shifts, we're here to update your plan — not start over from scratch with someone who doesn't know you.
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 Wills in New York
Does a will avoid probate in New York?
A will does not avoid probate — it guides the probate process. Assets that pass through a will must go through the Surrogate's Court before they can be distributed. If avoiding probate is a priority, a revocable living trust may be a better fit, and we can help you evaluate which approach makes more sense for your situation.What happens if I die without a will in New York?
New York's intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate, following a fixed hierarchy of relatives. Your spouse, children, parents, or siblings may inherit in proportions that don't reflect your actual wishes — and unmarried partners receive nothing under the default rules, regardless of the length of the relationship.Can I write my own will in New York?
New York does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills for most adults. A valid will must be in writing, signed in front of two witnesses, and executed according to specific legal formalities. Errors in execution can invalidate the entire document, which is why working with an attorney matters.How often should I update my will?
Any major life event — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a named executor or beneficiary, a significant change in assets — is a reason to review your will. As a standard part of our client relationships, we reach out for a plan review at least every three years so nothing falls out of date.What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will takes effect at death and passes through probate. A trust can take effect during your lifetime, holds assets outside of probate, and can provide more detailed instructions for how and when assets are distributed. Many families benefit from having both. We help you understand which tools belong in your plan based on your specific goals.
Ready to Put a Plan in Place for Your Family
A will is one of the most direct ways to take care of the people you love — and one of the most commonly delayed. We make the process straightforward, transparent, and built around your family's actual needs. Our fixed fees and relationship-first approach mean you'll always know what to expect, from the first conversation through the final signed document. We serve families throughout Long Island, including Garden City, Huntington, Massapequa, and communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. If you're ready to stop putting this off, we're ready to help you get it done right.
Reach out to schedule a conversation. There's no pressure and no obligation — just a clear first step toward a plan your family can count on.