Client Experience & Results — Estate, Probate & Trust Matters in New York

This page explains what clients can expect when working with Albert Goodwin, Esq., a New York estate and probate attorney, and shares verified client feedback organized by the type of matter involved. Rather than a generic list of testimonials, our goal here is to give you an honest picture of how we handle estate matters in New York's Surrogate's Courts, what the process typically looks like, and how clients have described their experience.

The reviews reproduced below come from independent third-party platforms — Google, Avvo, and Yelp — where prospective clients can read and verify them directly. We do not edit or alter the substance of what clients have written.

About the Attorney and Our New York Practice

Albert Goodwin is admitted to practice law in New York and concentrates his practice on estate, probate, and trust matters before the Surrogate's Courts of New York City and surrounding counties, including Brooklyn (Kings County), Manhattan (New York County), Queens, the Bronx, and Long Island. You can review his background, credentials, and bar admission on the attorney bio page.

Estate and probate work in New York is governed primarily by the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act (SCPA) and the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL). These statutes set the rules for admitting a will to probate (SCPA Article 14), appointing an administrator when there is no will (SCPA Article 10 and EPTL 4-1.1, the intestacy statute), the fiduciary's duty to account (SCPA Article 22), and the rights of beneficiaries and distributees. Because procedure varies by county and by the facts of each estate, the descriptions below are general and not a promise of any particular result.

What Clients Can Expect From Our Process

A recurring theme in client feedback is direct attorney communication and a clear explanation of options. In practice, an estate matter with our office generally moves through several stages:

• Initial consultation. We listen to your situation and explain, in plain language, what New York law allows and what the likely path forward is — including matters we believe should not be litigated.
• Document review and filing. We gather the death certificate, will (if any), and information about heirs and assets, then prepare the petition for probate or administration and supporting documents required by the Surrogate's Court.
• Court proceedings. This may include obtaining Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, addressing objections, and handling any contested issues such as a will contest or a breach of fiduciary duty claim.
• Resolution and distribution. We work toward closing the estate, the accounting, and distribution to the rightful beneficiaries or distributees.

Many of our clients live outside New York but have an estate located here. New York requires that the proceeding take place in the county where the decedent was domiciled, which is why out-of-state heirs frequently need New York counsel. Several reviews below come from clients in other states who handled their New York matter largely by phone, email, and document exchange.

Reviews From Probate and Estate Administration Clients

Probate and estate administration matters — getting appointed as executor or administrator, marshalling assets, and completing the estate — are the most common reason clients contact our office. The feedback below reflects experiences settling New York estates, including for heirs who reside elsewhere.

• Michele Hines Diaconescu — ★★★★★: After her husband died abroad leaving a substantial estate in New York, a relative attempted to dispute her status as his wife. Living in North Carolina, she retained our office to handle the New York estate and was ultimately appointed to administer it. (See full review on Google.)
• Russell Kivatisky, Ph.D. — ★★★★★: "During a long, drawn-out estate settlement, I was very fortunate to have Albert Goodwin as my attorney. He is extremely competent, straightforward, and very effective… Prior to Albert's involvement, my case had come to a halt. He moved it along and brought it to a satisfying conclusion."
• Sergey Vinokur — ★★★★★: An out-of-state client who needed representation regarding his deceased brother's estate in New York City. "My case was handled from start to the conclusion with the utmost professionalism and thoroughness… it has been fully resolved to my satisfaction and comparatively quickly."
• SUVin — ★★★★★: "At all times I had clear understanding of the case status and the steps to be taken next… I consider myself lucky to have hired Mr. Goodwin."
• Carly Reid — ★★★★★: Described a complex matter requiring patience and attention to detail, completed over time.

If you are facing one of these situations, you may find our resources on Letters Testamentary, Letters of Administration, and a sample NYC probate timeline helpful.

Reviews From Trust and Beneficiary Matters

Trust disputes and the rights of beneficiaries are a distinct area of our work. Under New York law, beneficiaries are entitled to information about a trust and to a fiduciary's accounting, and a trustee who breaches their duties may be removed or held liable. The clients below dealt with trust drafting, trust administration, and disputes over a beneficiary's rightful share.

• Lawrence Hawk — ★★★★★: Represented as the beneficiary of a trust in a matter he describes as having gone unresolved for 24 years; he reports finally receiving his share. (See full review on Google.)
• Glen Davis — ★★★★★: Sought an attorney with trust expertise after an internet search. "You analyzed the information I provided from a legal perspective and your experience with trust law… provided me with not only commission figures but a comprehensive narrative explaining why and how you came to your conclusions."
• carl straker — ★★★★★: Contacted us to set up a trust for his family and noted the entire process was explained in detail before deciding to proceed.
• An anonymized reviewer noted that in a contested trust matter, the case was "taken to judge enforcement" with careful record-keeping and timely filings.

For more on this area, see beneficiaries' rights to trust information, breach of trust, and trust attorney services in NYC.

Reviews From Estate Planning Clients

We also help New York residents — and people with New York property — prepare wills, health care proxies (advance directives under New York Public Health Law), and powers of attorney (governed by the New York General Obligations Law). Clients in this category typically value clear drafting and a complete explanation of how their documents work.

• Erik B Christensen — ★★★★★: "We needed a simple Last Will & Testament… all preparations were thoroughly explained by Mr. Albert Goodwin, who took the necessary time to explain all the information we needed."
• An anonymized client: "In my case the legal work was for a will, health care proxy and power of attorney. He does his legal work in a very effective and sensitive way."
• An anonymized client (a New York musician): Noted that a will was completed in one session and that a fee accommodation was offered given his circumstances at the time.

To learn more, see our pages on wills in NYC, advance directives, and avoiding probate in New York.

Honest Advice — Including When Not to Litigate

A point several reviewers raise is that we will tell prospective clients when, in our assessment, a matter is not worth pursuing. New York courts do not look favorably on weak or unfounded will contests, and litigation is expensive. We believe candid advice is part of competent representation.

• An anonymized client: "Mr. Goodwin listened carefully as I read a portion of the will and explained why we couldn't win. I checked with a local judge and Mr. Goodwin was 100% right."
• A client from Texas: "He provided important information about my case which avoided me spending thousands of dollars on a dead case."
• John — ★★★★★ (consultation, not a client): "I called in regards to a personal matter in need of legal consultation. Mr. Goodwin answered the phone promptly and thoroughly answered all of my questions."
• M Burdo — ★★★★★: "Very impressed with his willingness to take time to answer questions for someone who is not yet a client… helpful and no pressure."

Verify These Reviews and Read More

We encourage you to read the original, unedited reviews on the independent platforms where they were posted: Google, Avvo, and Yelp. Reviews describe past experiences and do not predict the result of any future matter; every estate is different, and prior outcomes are not a guarantee.

Speak With a New York Estate Attorney

If you are dealing with a New York probate, estate administration, trust dispute, or need estate planning, you can contact our office to discuss your situation. To learn more about the attorney handling your matter, visit the bio of Albert Goodwin, Esq.