Attorney to Make a Will for My Parent in New York City

Making a will for a parent is not just a paperwork task. Under New York law, a parent’s will must meet strict legal rules to be valid and enforceable. Mistakes can cause delays and court fights. They can even cause a will to fail. When a parent wants to create or update a will, they need an attorney to make sure the document holds up in court.

A will controls who inherits property, who manages the estate, and how debts and taxes are paid. In New York, we have statutes and court rules. These rules affect how we write the will and how we set it up. Online forms can fail because they do not account for New York-specific rules. When a parent’s assets or family situation are even slightly complex, legal guidance becomes essential.

Thinking About a Future Will Contest

If your parent is excluding someone from their will, it is possible that person may try to challenge the will in the future. When people challenge a will, they allege undue influence and lack of capacity. If a parent is elderly, ill, or taking medication, heirs may later claim the parent did not understand what they were signing. You need an attorney to document capacity properly and supervise the signing process. This legal protection can prevent expensive litigation in Surrogate’s Court later.

Some parents have prior wills. A new will overwrites all prior wills. But if someone benefitted from the prior will and they are getting less from the new will, that person can try to contest the will. A lawyer can minimize a chance of a will contest.

Planning for Blended Families and Unequal Gifts

Blended families create unique legal risks. Children from prior marriages, current spouses, and step-children may all expect they are getting something. New York law also protects certain spousal rights regardless of what the will says. You need an attorney to structure the will so it reflects your parent’s wishes while complying with mandatory inheritance rules.

Tax Planning

Even modest estates can face tax and legal issues. New York has its own estate tax rules, and federal tax law may also apply. In addition, tax rules change from year to year.

Spousal Rights

Even if a spouse is left out of a will, she can still claim one-third of the estate. If someone truly wishes to disinherit their spouse, they will need a post-nuptial agreement.

Choosing the Executor

Choosing an executor is not just a personal decision. Executors have legal duties. They are personally liable for mistakes. Some people don't qualify under New York law. A lawyer helps evaluate who can serve and how to structure executor powers properly.

Proper Will Execution

New York has strict rules for signing and witnessing wills. Errors in execution can invalidate the entire document. You need an attorney to supervise the signing ceremony so the will complies with all legal formalities. This helps a will get accepted by the court.

How a New York City Estate Attorney Helps Prevent Probate Disputes

Probate disputes are expensive and emotionally draining. A properly drafted will reduces ambiguity and limits grounds for objections. An experienced New York City estate attorney anticipates problems before they arise and drafts the will to withstand court scrutiny.

If you are helping a parent create or update a will, we at the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin are here. We assist families throughout New York City with legally sound estate planning.

Careful legal drafting can prevent disputes and protect your parent’s wishes.

Call us for a consultation. You can contact us by phone at 212-233-1233 or by email at albertgoodwin@albertgoodwin.com.

Mr. Goodwin is everything you want in an attorney: professional, honest, thorough, and genuinely caring. He always explains things clearly, so I understood exactly what was happening and what to expect next. His attention to detail and persistence really stood out. Looking back, I feel lucky to have found him. He guided me through the whole process expertly, and I deeply appreciate all his hard work. Would definitely recommend him to anyone needing legal help.

Thanks to Mr. Albert Goodwin's hard work and smart thinking, I finally won my case, which has been a long time coming. He figured out solutions that no one else could see. I'm really impressed by his strong ethics - something that's rare these days. As my lawyer, he went above and beyond what I expected. I'm so grateful I found him and would definitely recommend him to anyone needing legal help.

From our first meeting, I knew I was in great hands with Albert and his associate Katrina. They handled my case with incredible skill and efficiency, even though they took it over from another firm. What impressed me most was how quickly Albert responded to my questions with honest, clear answers - no sugarcoating, just straight talk. They managed a huge workload under tight deadlines, and their fees were very reasonable for such high-quality work. Beyond his legal expertise, Albert's wit and personality made a difficult process much easier to handle. I'm deeply grateful for their hard work and would absolutely choose them again. If you need legal help in New York, you won't find better representation than Albert's firm.

These reviews represent verified feedback from our clients. Results may vary depending on the specific facts of your case.