Esther Schwartz Zelmanovitz, PLLC provides thoughtful and personalized estate planning, trust, and elder law services throughout New York.
Long Island Estate Planning Lawyers
Since 2017, Esther Schwartz Zelmanovitz, PLLC has been proud to serve as a trusted source of support for individuals and families throughout Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City. Our attorneys have more than 20 years of experience providing trusted, forward-thinking legal solutions in the areas of elder law, estate planning, and probate. Our philosophy centers on you, the client—we believe in offering personalized strategies designed to protect your family’s future while easing the stress that often accompanies legal complexities.
Our attorneys have been honored to receive positive testimonials for our past work, and we hope to earn your confidence as well. We’re known not just for our legal acumen but also for our empathetic and caring approach. We go beyond the surface, taking the time to truly understand your concerns, goals, and challenges.
Whether it’s drafting a comprehensive estate plan, guiding you through Medicaid applications, or assisting during times of emotional loss, we’re here to walk you through every step of the process.
Call (516) 347-7356 or contact us online today to set up a consultation.
-
"Compassionate Estate Planning and Medicaid Guidance"
Esty and Esther provided exceptional, compassionate service through complex estate planning and Medicaid needs. Always available, patient, and thorough—highly recommended!- Sal T. -
"Thorough, Professional, and Supportive Estate Planning"
Clear guidance, detailed explanations, and a professional touch—our estate planning experience was seamless. We felt truly taken care of!- Anonymous
Comprehensive Planning, Personalized for You How Can We Help?
Comprehensive Estate Planning Services
Our elder law services help families safeguard assets while enabling access to necessary care. Through strategic Medicaid planning, we’ve helped clients secure the support they deserve. For families with special needs individuals, we know how to develop plans that protect their future with dignity and care.
We guide our clients through the process of creating last wills and testaments, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Our ability to craft trusts and create customized strategies allows us to meet your unique goals.
Our lawyers work to simplify the probate and estate administration process, providing important legal guidance at a difficult time. Similarly, for families who need guardianship assistance, we offer sensitive, practical strategies to protect and support your loved ones.
Knowledge You Can Trust Answers & Insights for Life’s Big Decisions
-
What is a trust?
A trust agreement is a document that gives clear instructions that you want followed for property held in the trust for your beneficiaries. Common objectives for trusts are to avoid probate, to reduce the estate tax liability, to protect your property for long term care planning, or to control specific distribution of your estate even after your lifetime. There are three important parties to a trust. The first is the “grantor” or “settlor”, which is the person(s) who is creating the trust. The grantor creates the trust and puts his or her chosen assets into the trust. The second is the “trustee”, the person(s) the grantor chooses to manage the assets in the trust. The grantor appoints the trustee to take good care of the assets in the trust according to the instructions written in the trust document. The third is the “beneficiary” or “beneficiaries”, the person(s) for whose benefit the assets are held and managed. The trustee has the duty and authority to manage the assets for the benefit of the beneficiary, who is entitled to receive the assets in the amounts, percentages, and at the time indicated in the trust. It is common for one person to play more than one role in a trust.
-
Do I really need a will?Without a properly written will, you are giving up your legal right to decide who will receive your property after your death, and who will not receive your property. You may also be creating additional costs and complications for your heirs after you die. If you have minor children, you lose the opportunity to determine who will serve as guardian for them. The court will name the guardian and it may not be the family member or friend that you would want.
-
My loved one did not have a will. What happens next?
New York State has specific laws that cover the distribution of a decedent’s assets if he or she dies without a will. The law also determines the selection of the person who will act as “Administrator” of the estate and have the authority to handle estate matters. However, this does not happen automatically, and someone must petition the Surrogate’s Court in the county where the decedent was domiciled to be appointed as “Administrator.” A consultation with an attorney who practices in the area of probate or trusts and estates can be very helpful in this situation.
-
Why do I need a Durable Power of Attorney?A Durable Power of Attorney allows you to appoint a person you trust, called an “agent” to handle legal and financial matters on your behalf. It is called a Durable Power of Attorney because the document remains valid, even if you become incapacitated. A sudden injury or illness, or progressive dementia, are events that could result in a person’s incapacity. You may not need anyone to handle these matters on your behalf now, but if you do not prepare a Durable Power of Attorney while you are capable of doing so, then it will be too late if you should become incapacitated.
-
What are the most important estate planning documents every adult should have?Typically, a comprehensive estate plan will consist of documents that address your estate both during lifetime and after lifetime. The documents that relate to after lifetime, address what you leave behind after your death, and may consist of a Last Will and Testament and/or trusts. However, documents that relate to during lifetime could be just as important, if not more important. These documents are known as “Advance Directives” and address important decisions and legal authority in the event you became incapacitated. Advance Directives include a Durable Power of Attorney (to appoint an agent for legal and financial matters), Health Care Proxy (to appoint an agent for health care decisions), and sometimes, a Living Will as well.
-
Important Estate Planning Considerations for 529 Education Savings PlanRead Article -
End-of-Life Choice in New York: A Compassionate Step or a Risky Precedent?Read Article
-
It’s Not Enough to Create a Trust – You Have to Fund It!Read Article
-
Do you have an LLC or Corp.? Deadline Approaching: Corporate Transparency Act of 2024Read Article
-
The Medicaid Inheritance Dilemma: When a Windfall Becomes a PitfallRead Article
-
Don’t Unstaple Your Will!Read Article
Building Relationships, Not Just Cases
At Esther Schwartz Zelmanovitz, PLLC, we believe in fostering lasting relationships with our clients. Estate planning is an ongoing process. The needs of a young family just getting started are very different from the needs of a couple approaching retirement. Needs change as we move through different stages of life, and we want to be there protecting your interests.
Reach out today by calling our Great Neck office at (516) 347-7356. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation.