Straightforward, flat-fee planning so the people you care about are protected. No hourly billing, no jargon, and no surprises.
If any of these apply to you, it's a good time to put a plan in place or update the one you have.
Name a guardian for minor children and decide who manages what they inherit.
Old documents often still name a former spouse. Update them so they reflect your life now.
Make sure your largest asset passes the way you intend, with as little court involvement as possible.
Coordinate your will, beneficiary designations, and who can act for you if you can't.
Powers of attorney and health care proxies let the right person step in when needed.
Without a will, New York law decides who inherits, and the result is often not what people expect.
Every package includes a consultation, drafting, a review meeting, and a supervised signing. You'll know the full cost before we start.
Updating existing documents after a divorce, move, or birth? Ask about a reduced flat fee. For larger estates, business succession, or tax-driven planning, we'll quote a separate fee after the first conversation.
We talk about your family, what you own, and what you want to happen. By phone, video, or in person.
You receive drafts with a plain-English summary. We walk through them together and make any changes.
We supervise the signing with witnesses and a notary so everything is properly executed under New York law.
I'm a lawyer based in Chappaqua, and I help local families and individuals put sensible estate plans in place. Many of my estate planning clients come to me for something else first, such as a business matter or a family transition, and realize they've never gotten their own documents in order.
My approach is simple: understand what matters to you, explain your options clearly, and draft documents that do exactly what you need. Nothing more complicated than your situation requires.
New York's intestacy law decides who inherits. If you're married with children, your spouse receives the first $50,000 and half of the rest, and your children share the remainder, even if they are minors. A court, not you, decides who manages a minor's share and who serves as guardian.
For many families a will plus updated beneficiary designations is enough. A revocable trust can make sense if you want to avoid probate, own property in more than one state, or want more privacy and control. We'll tell you honestly which fits.
Most plans are completed within two to four weeks of our first conversation, depending on how quickly we can schedule the review and signing.
Yes. The consultation and review can be done by phone or video. The signing is done in person with witnesses so your documents are properly executed.
If it was written before a marriage, divorce, birth, move, or significant change in assets, or more than about five years ago, it's worth a review. Updates are offered at a reduced flat fee.
Tell me a little about your situation and I'll get back to you within one business day.
Chappaqua, New York
Serving Westchester County
Phone: [phone]
Email: gplatt@gordonplattlaw.com
Office meetings by appointment. Phone and video consultations available.