Estate Planning Lawyer New York County, NY
Estate planning for individuals and families in New York County—including Midtown, Lower Manhattan, the Upper East and West Sides, Harlem, and every neighborhood the borough encompasses—calls for documents that reflect both personal wishes and New York’s specific legal framework. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team help clients create wills, trusts, advance directives, and health care proxies designed to meet the procedural requirements of the New York County Surrogate’s Court at 60 Centre Street. Whether you are drafting your first will, reviewing an existing estate plan, or addressing a New York estate tax concern that may affect assets passing to the next generation, our firm assists. For a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
What Estate Planning Means in New York County
Estate planning in New York County operates under the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL), the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA), and the state’s tax provisions that impose a separate estate tax on larger estates. New York County Surrogate’s Court oversees probate, will contests, estate administration, trust proceedings, and related fiduciary matters. A will admitted to probate at the Manhattan Surrogate’s Court grants the nominated executor authority to marshal assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate. Trusts, by contrast, are administered outside of probate, often under the ongoing supervision of a trustee appointed in the trust instrument.
New York imposes its own estate tax on estates exceeding a basic exclusion amount that adjusts annually. For 2026, the exclusion is $7,350,000, with graduated rates ranging from 3.06% to 16%. One distinctive feature of the New York estate tax is the “cliff” effect: if the taxable estate exceeds 105% of the exclusion—$7,717,500 in 2026—the entire estate is taxed, not just the portion above the threshold. Moreover, New York does not allow portability of the exclusion between spouses, which makes lifetime planning tools such as credit shelter trusts particularly important for married couples who expect to leave significant assets. Our team at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Considers each of these factors when structuring an estate plan for clients in Manhattan and throughout New York County.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Estate Planning Cases
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel approach each estate planning matter by first gaining a clear understanding of the client’s family situation, asset composition, and long-term goals. In New York County, procedures before the Surrogate’s Court are governed by detailed filing, notice, and accounting requirements, and every document must comply with EPTL formalities. Our firm prepares wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, advance directives, health care proxies, and powers of attorney, focusing on instruments that will function effectively under New York law should a probate or trust administration become necessary.
When probate is required, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel guide executors through the petition to admit the will, the issuance of citations to interested parties, the collection and inventory of assets, and the eventual accounting and distribution. In trust administrations, the firm assists trustees in carrying out their duties under the EPTL, including proper recordkeeping, communication with beneficiaries, and any necessary court modifications. Estate tax returns—both federal and New York—are prepared with attention to applicable deadlines. The approach is always tailored; every plan is built around the individual client’s circumstances, and the timeline for completing an administration depends on the complexity of the estate and the Surrogate’s Court calendar.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background as a former prosecutor gives him a broad understanding of litigation, a perspective that benefits clients when an estate plan leads to a contested probate, a fiduciary dispute, or a will contest before the Surrogate’s Court. He leads a team of Of Counsel—attorneys who are engaged through Excella and who bring experience across multiple legal disciplines. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring over 120 years of combined legal experience with 4,739+ documented firm-wide results. Results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a will or trust in New York County?
Without a will, New York intestacy laws determine who receives your assets, and the court appoints an administrator. A will lets you name an executor, designate guardians for minor children, and direct the distribution of your estate. A trust can avoid probate in New York County Surrogate’s Court, reduce estate taxes, and provide for ongoing management of assets if you become incapacitated. Our firm helps clients evaluate these options and draft documents that satisfy New York EPTL requirements. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How does probate work in New York County?
Probate begins when the executor files the original will and a petition for probate in the New York County Surrogate’s Court. The court then issues a citation to all interested parties—heirs and those named in the will. Once the will is admitted to probate and letters testamentary are issued, the executor gathers assets, pays debts and taxes, and eventually files an accounting for the court’s approval. This process unfolds according to the Surrogate’s Court calendar, and its duration varies by estate complexity. Our attorneys assist executors at each stage, helping them meet court deadlines and avoid procedural missteps that can lead to delays.
What is the New York estate tax exemption in 2026?
For decedents dying in 2026, the New York basic exclusion amount is $7,350,000. New York estate tax rates range from 3.06% on the first $500,000 to 16% on amounts over $10,100,000. A critical feature is the cliff: if the taxable estate exceeds 105% of the exclusion—$7,717,500—the entire estate is taxed from dollar one, not just the excess. New York does not allow portability of the exclusion between spouses. Our firm incorporates these tax provisions into every estate plan to help clients manage potential liability. For a consultation, reach Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel at (888) 437-7747.
What documents are essential for an estate plan in New York?
A comprehensive New York estate plan typically includes a last will and testament, a financial power of attorney, a health care proxy, and a living will or advance directive. Many clients also use a revocable living trust to avoid probate and provide for continued asset management if they become unable to handle their affairs. Each document must comply with the EPTL and, when applicable, with Surrogate’s Court filing requirements. Our team drafts each instrument individually, taking care to ensure that the documents work together and reflect the client’s actual wishes.
Can an estate plan be contested in New York County?
Yes. Interested parties may file objections to probate in the New York County Surrogate’s Court, raising grounds such as lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, or improper execution. A will contest can freeze the estate, preventing distribution until the matter is resolved. Our firm represents both executors seeking to defend a will and beneficiaries who believe a will or trust is invalid. In handling estate matters in Manhattan, early attention to formalities and clear documentation can often reduce the risk of a successful challenge. To discuss the details of your matter, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How can I avoid probate in New York County?
Property that passes by beneficiary designation, joint tenancy with right of survivorship, or through a properly funded trust generally does not go through probate. A revocable living trust is a common tool; when funded, it allows assets to transfer directly to beneficiaries without the delays and publicity of Surrogate’s Court proceedings. Our firm helps clients identify which assets are probate assets and which can be structured so they pass outside probate. For further assistance, contact us at (888) 437-7747.
Our firm also serves clients in other New York counties. Learn more about our statewide practice at our New York trust and estate page. For estate planning assistance in Kings County (Brooklyn), see our Kings County page. For Queens County, visit our Queens County page.
Official resources: New York Surrogate’s Court · New York Estate Tax · Estates, Powers and Trusts Law
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