Estate Planning Lawyers for New York

Looking for an estate planning lawyer in New York?

ContractsCounsel helps businesses across New York hire vetted estate planning lawyers, offering fixed-fee quotes with the first proposal typically arriving in just a few hours.

Hire a Lawyer for 60% Less than Traditional Law Firms

1
Post your project.
Create a project posting in our marketplace. We will ask you the questions lawyers need to know to provide pricing.
2
Receive multiple bids.
Receive multiple bids from vetted lawyers in our network that have the experience to help you with your project.
3
Review and hire.
Compare multiple proposals from lawyers and arrange calls through our platform. Securely make payment to hire your lawyer.

Meet some of our New York Estate Planning Lawyers

Scott S. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Scott
5.0 (66)
Member Since:
October 27, 2021

Scott S.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York, NY
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Benjamin Cardozo School of Law

I specialize in business law and contracts, with an emphasis on commercial transactions and negotiations, document drafting and review, employment, business formation, e-commerce, technology, healthcare, privacy, commercial real estate, data security and compliance. Specifically, I've drafted, reviewed and/or negotiated thousands of MSA's, NDA's, TOS', SAAS, sales, service, managed services, referral, reseller, royalty, finder’s fee, employment, contractor, consulting, advertising, marketing, manufacturing, distribution, management, artist, author, agency, photography, rental, lease, vendor, partnership, website, platform, application, privacy, non-compete, non-circumvent, confidentiality, IP ownership and licensing agreements so I'm very familiar with these types of documents. Practicing law since 2006, I worked in-house before starting my own solo practitioner law firm in 2011. I've worked with individuals and start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, and every type of entity in between, always providing quality legal work that fits the exact needs of the person and/or business. I’m a graduate of the Benjamin Cardozo Law School and also have an English degree from Penn.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Scott helped me reviewed the contracts and saved me from getting into a trap of an outsourced sales services provider from Philippines and Australia"

Gamal H. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Gamal
5.0 (1)
Member Since:
October 31, 2021

Gamal H.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York City
28 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
New York Law School

I am a commercial contracts attorney with twenty years of experience. I have represented major corporate clients including Amazon, Marvel, and Viacom as well as independent entertainment professionals and technology startups.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Gamal has been a pleasure to work with. This book is the first in a 4-book series and I will certainly retain him for all of them should the publisher wish to exercise that option. Well done!"

Craig Y. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Craig
5.0 (3)
Member Since:
February 8, 2022

Craig Y.

Partner
Free Consultation
New York
30 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
New England Law - Boston

Craig E. Yaris is a Founding Partner at Holon Law Partners, with the experience and drive to handle all your Franchise, General Business Practice, Estate Planning and Mediation needs. As a former small business owner and Chief Operating Officer of a franchisor himself, Mr. Yaris is passionate about promoting business growth. He has experience handling daily operations, employee disputes, and negotiations of pertinent contracts for a franchise company with 100 locations in five states, where he organized and conducted semi- annual meetings to educate and inform franchisees of best practices for improved growth. In addition, Mr. Yaris was responsible for the preparation and filing of the UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular) in several states and is well-versed in business formation. Between his time as Franchisor and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Mr. Yaris was the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of an online company whose goal was to help inform marketers and business owners of the fast-paced and ongoing changes within their specific verticals. This experience helped him hone his research and writing skills and prepared him for the cloud-based aspects of Holon Law Partners. Mr. Yaris also has extensive experience in public speaking, as he has planned and delivered several keynote addresses and educational seminars for many New York-based organizations, and as a Continuing Education Instructor for Hofstra University. Prior to joining Parlatore Law Group, Mr. Yaris worked as a Patient Advocate, and more recently, a Conflict Resolution Specialist, where he mediated and resolved disputes on behalf of patients with insurance companies. In this role, he negotiated for coverage of previously denied medications and medical procedures as well as successfully mediated disputes between individuals and business partners which would have otherwise resulted in protracted litigation. In addition, he has experience mediating employer and employee disputes as well as helping resolve family conflict. He has also studied and attended many Non-Violent Communication (NVC) workshops and strives to bring these tools and methods to all of his mediations. His variety of experiences speak to his ability to handle small business needs at all stages of business growth and development. Mr. Yaris also has experience with business growth and development, as he has worked with several small business on creating and implementing strategies for steady growth. In addition, to spending time with family, Mr. Yaris volunteers his time helping spread the message of the ACLU and he supports many local charities focused on families and children. He is admitted to practice in New York.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Craig was delightful to work with. He explained everything in detail, answered any questions I had and made sure I was comfortable with the information. Highly recommend."

Nicholas V. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Nicholas
5.0 (12)
Member Since:
February 28, 2022

Nicholas V.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Denver, CO
8 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY AL, CO, TX
Texas A&M University School of Law

I am a solo practitioner, and manager of the Law Office of Nicholas J. Vail, PLLC, with offices in Denver, Colorado and Austin, Texas with a focus on general business and real estate contracts.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Nicholas was great! Highly recommend and I will be using his services again."

Ramanathan C. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Ramanathan
4.8 (81)
Member Since:
January 20, 2022

Ramanathan C.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York
8 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
London School of Economics and Political Science

Triple Qualified New York Attorney, Australian Lawyer & Enrolled NZ Barrister & Solicitor

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Rama was timely and responsive to all my needs & questions. From day one, he presented a tailored proposal for my project that felt personalized and thoughtful. He is pleasant to work with and professional with his legal advice. I'd be happy to work with him again."

Daehoon P. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Daehoon
4.8 (215)
Member Since:
November 26, 2021

Daehoon P.

Corporate & M&A | Venture Capital, Private Equity & Web3 Counsel | Real Estate Transactions
Free Consultation
New York, NY
10 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
American University Washington College of Law

Corporate, M&A & Securities Lawyer | Managing Attorney, DP Counsel PLLC Practice Areas: Business Formation | Commercial Contracts | Contract Drafting & Review | Mergers & Acquisitions | Venture Capital | Securities Offerings | Franchise Law | Employment & Equity Compensation | Intellectual Property | Cross-Border Transactions About/Bio: I represent companies, investors, and fund sponsors in corporate transactions, commercial contracting, and private securities matters, from entity formation and early-stage financings to acquisitions, exits, and ongoing strategic counsel. As Managing Attorney of DP Counsel PLLC, I help clients structure transactions clearly, allocate risk thoughtfully, and move deals forward with documentation that is practical, enforceable, and aligned with business objectives. My practice includes both day-to-day commercial matters and more complex transactional work, including venture financings, private offerings, M&A deals, fund-related documents, and cross-border structuring. What I Do: Corporate & Commercial • Entity formation and structuring for corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships • Operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and governance documents • Commercial contract drafting, review, and negotiation • Vendor, distribution, manufacturing, SaaS, and licensing agreements • Employment, consulting, confidentiality, and equity compensation agreements • Outside general counsel support for growing companies Securities & Private Capital • Private offerings under Regulation D and Regulation S • Private placement memoranda, subscription agreements, and investor documents • SAFE, convertible note, and priced equity financings • Venture capital and private fund formation matters • Fund governing documents and offering document packages • Securities law analysis for private capital raising transactions Mergers & Acquisitions • Letters of intent and term sheets • Stock purchase, asset purchase, and merger agreements • Due diligence coordination and transaction support • Disclosure schedules, closing documents, and post-closing matters • Earnouts, rollover equity, indemnity structures, and related deal terms • HSR, CFIUS, and related regulatory issue spotting for qualifying transactions Digital Assets & Emerging Technologies • Federal-law digital asset and token securities analysis • Entity structuring for blockchain and Web3 ventures • Digital asset fund and operating structures • AML/KYC documentation support and regulatory issue spotting Franchising • Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) • Franchise agreements • Master franchise and area development agreements • Franchise structuring and registration coordination Real Estate Transactions • Commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions • Real estate joint ventures and syndications • Commercial lease drafting and negotiation • Real estate investment structures and related offering documents Cross-Border & International • U.S. market entry and entity structuring for international clients • Delaware and multi-entity holding structures • Cross-border transaction planning and documentation • Coordination with foreign counsel and tax advisors on cross-border matters Why Clients Hire Me: • Big-law-level drafting with boutique responsiveness • Practical, business-focused advice grounded in execution reality • Clear scoping and transparent fee arrangements • Experience across financings, acquisitions, fund formations, and cross-border transactions Typical Projects: • Contract drafting and negotiation • Entity formation and governance packages • Private offering document suites • Venture financing documentation • M&A transactions from LOI through closing • Fractional or outside general counsel support Industries Technology | SaaS | FinTech | Digital Assets | E-commerce | Healthcare | Real Estate | Food & Beverage | Professional Services

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Daehoon drafted a co-op sublease for my New York apartment. He was thorough, responsive through several rounds of revisions, and gave me a clear checklist of everything the package needed. Would definitely recommend."

Michelle F. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Michelle
Member Since:
January 24, 2022

Michelle F.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York
8 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center

I provide comprehensive legal and business consulting services to entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. My practice focuses on start-up foundations, business growth through contractual relationships and ventures, and business purchase and sales. Attorney with a demonstrated history of working in the corporate law industry and commercial litigation. Member of the Bar for the State of New York and United States Federal Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, Southern and eastern District Bankruptcy Courts and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Skilled in business law, federal court commercial litigation, corporate governance and debt restructuring.

Rachael D. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Rachael
Member Since:
October 28, 2021

Rachael D.

Attorney
Free Consultation
New York
14 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY
Touro Law

We help simplify every transaction and provide a superior level of customer service to create long lasting and trusted relationships with our clients. Our goal is to guide our clients with practical and zealous legal representation and eliminate the difficult nature of any legal transaction.

Melanie C. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Melanie
Member Since:
October 31, 2021

Melanie C.

Business & Intellectual Property Attorney
Free Consultation
NY/NJ
22 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY NJ
Emory University School of Law

Melanie Cunningham specializes in helping entrepreneurs remain creative and expansive by establishing the foundation of their business and protecting and maximizing their intellectual property. It’s her belief that entrepreneurs and micro and small business owners play a critical role in our communities, which propelled Melanie to return to private practice after more than a decade working for global financial institutions. Melanie’s practice is dedicated to delivering excellent legal support and protection to this vital, but an often underserved, community. Melanie credits her business training and the skills developed as a senior compliance officer with enabling her to help small business owners have a legally compliant business, while proactively advising clients during the growth process. She’s helped diverse entrepreneurs do business in a way that focuses more on collaboration than competition. Melanie has counseled small business owners in determining what is protection worthy (helping them obtain trademarks and copyrights) and making contact on their behalf in the case of infringement.

Josiah Y. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Josiah
Member Since:
November 10, 2021

Josiah Y.

Managing Shareholder of The Law Office of Josiah Young, PC
Free Consultation
Sacramento, California
13 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY CA
American University Washington College of Law

Attorney licensed to practice in both California and New York, Josiah is focused on helping people understand what's in their contracts, and do business with confidence.

Abraham W. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Abraham
Member Since:
November 18, 2021
Peter W. Y. - Estate Planning Lawyer in New York
View Peter W.
Member Since:
January 24, 2022

Peter W. Y.

Member
Free Consultation
Virtual
27 Yrs Experience
Licensed in NY CT, PA
Haub School of Law at Pace University

Perceptive, solution-driven counselor and experienced attorney. Record of successful verdicts, settlements, negotiations, arbitrations, mediations, and deals. Effective claims management, litigation strategy, and risk consulting. Proven ability to oversee litigation teams, communicate to stakeholders, manage multiple projects effectively, and expand business relationships. Extensive experience handling legal issues in engineering and construction, environmental litigation, corporate and contractual, and insurance issues.

Find the best lawyer for your project

Browse Lawyers Now

Estate Planning Legal Questions and Answers

Estate Planning

Affidavit of Heirship

New York

Asked on Aug 8, 2021

What are inheritance rights for niece and nephew?

My Aunt passed away July 9, 2021 and she had a will. On the will she stated that she wants everything left to my mother whom is deceased as well and executer of estate is my sister.

Jane C.

Answered Aug 23, 2021

Does the will have a provision that states who will receive your aunt's assets if your mother predeceased her? If not, I believe the rules of inheritance found in the New York Statute will govern. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EPT/4-1.1. Your sister needs to go to the Probate Court and/or consult an estate attorney.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Power of Attorney

New York

Asked on Dec 9, 2024

Can a power of attorney be revoked?

Can a power of attorney be revoked in the case where I appointed my brother as my power of attorney, but he has abused his authority by making financial decisions that are against my best interests, and I no longer trust him to act in my best interests? I granted him power of attorney due to a temporary disability, but I have since recovered and would like to regain control over my financial affairs.

Damien B.

Answered Dec 10, 2024

Yes, a power of attorney can typically be revoked, provided you are mentally competent. Since you mentioned that you have recovered from the disability and no longer trust your brother to act in your best interests, you should be able to revoke the power of attorney and regain control over your financial affairs. You or an attorney can draft a Revocation of Power of Attorney, provide to your brother, banks and other entities to inform them of the revocation.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Power of Attorney

New York

Asked on Nov 17, 2021

I would like to kno if an estate hold harmless form is bad or good in my situation

I have p.o.a of my brother and he has unclaimed funds in Nys I filed for it and the said I had to complete that for b4 they released the funds

Jane C.

Answered Nov 30, 2021

You need an attorney to review your case in order to provide you with an answer.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Will

Kansas

Asked on Aug 29, 2025

Can I designate a non-family member as the executor of my will?

I am in the process of creating my will and estate plan, and I am wondering if it is possible to designate a non-family member, such as a close friend or trusted advisor, as the executor of my will. While I have a good relationship with my family, I believe that this non-family member would be better suited to handle the administrative duties and ensure my wishes are carried out accurately and efficiently. I want to ensure that this decision is legally permissible and if there are any potential complications or considerations I should be aware of.

Randy M.

Answered Aug 30, 2025

You don’t have to name a family member as the executor of your will. In many cases, choosing someone outside the family is not only allowed but actually a smart move. With one notable exception, no U.S. state requires your executor to be a family member. What matters most is that the person is trustworthy, capable, and legally qualified to handle the role. Why someone outside the family might be the better choice For some people, appointing a friend, a professional advisor, or even a neutral third party just makes more sense. They’re often less emotionally entangled in family matters and better equipped to make level-headed decisions during what’s usually a tense and emotional time. Also, if they have relevant experience, like being an attorney or financial planner, they may already understand what the job entails. What the law actually requires Legally speaking, most states just require that your executor be at least 18 years old and mentally competent. From there, it’s mostly about whether the person is willing and whether the state has any disqualifying rules, such as felony convictions or certain types of misconduct. Some states are stricter than others on that point. Watch out for location-based restrictions Every state allows non-family executors, but a few have extra rules for people who live out of state. For example, your chosen executor might have to post a bond, work with a local co-executor, or name someone in-state to receive official documents. Florida is the sole exception. It generally limits executors (technically called “personal representatives” there) to relatives or their spouses. But that’s the exception, not the rule. A few things to think through Choosing an executor isn’t just about who you trust. It’s also about who can realistically handle the responsibility. They’ll have access to all your financial info, need to manage assets, pay off debts and taxes, and make sure everything is distributed properly. That’s a lot to take on. Also, consider how far they live. While distance isn’t always a deal-breaker, having someone nearby can make things easier, especially when there’s paperwork to sign or property to manage. And then there’s the family piece. If you pick someone outside the family, be prepared for possible tension. Even if your choice makes perfect sense, relatives may feel hurt or suspicious. If you’re concerned about that, it’s worth having a conversation in advance to explain your reasoning. What about compensation and other options? Executors are entitled to compensation for their time and effort, usually a percentage of the estate’s value (often 2 to 5 percent), depending on the state. Just keep in mind that executor fees are considered taxable income, while inheritances typically are not. If you’re trying to strike a balance, you can name co-executors, such as a trusted friend and a family member. This can help keep everyone involved while making sure the job gets done right. Just be aware it can slow things down, since both have to agree on major decisions. And if your estate is especially large or complicated, you might want to bring in a professional fiduciary, such as a trust company, bank, or estate attorney. They charge more, but you’re paying for deep experience and institutional reliability. Before you lock in your decision, here’s what to do: 1. Double-check your state’s requirements, especially if the person lives out of state. 2. Talk to your chosen executor to confirm they’re willing to take on the role. 3. Name an alternate in case your first pick can’t serve later. 4. Spell out compensation clearly in your will, or reference state guidelines. And finally, it’s always smart to run your estate plan by a local attorney or an attorney here on Contracts Counsel. State laws can vary more than people realize, and a quick legal review now can prevent a lot of headaches later. At the end of the day, choosing the right executor is about trust, competence, and clarity. Whether they’re family or not, you want someone who can step in and carry out your wishes with care and professionalism.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Estate Planning

Power of Attorney

Tennessee

Asked on Apr 21, 2022

Do I need a lawyer to get a power of attorney

My uncle is an elderly man and his wife passed away in January of this year. She did everything as far handling all of the important things. He doesn't understand a lot of things. He asked me if I would take over everything for him. So I think I need to get a power of attorney to be able to do tnat.

Rebecca R.

Answered May 3, 2022

A power of attorney allows you to make decisions and dispose of property, it does sound like one might be helpful in your situation. When an attorney writes up the power of attorney, you have a range of permissions to cover all the needs of your individual situation. You’ll want to be sure that you have the ability to write checks, etc. Additionally, the power of attorney will be useful if other family members challenge your decisions or actions. Drafting the document is a fairly straightforward process, and most attorneys will bill 1-2 hours depending on whether you need additional documents for healthcare and estate decisions.

Read 1 attorney answer>
See more legal questions…

Quick, user friendly and one of the better ways I've come across to get ahold of lawyers willing to take new clients.

View Trustpilot Review

How It Works

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 22,019 reviews
Estate Planning lawyers by top cities
See All Estate Planning Lawyers
Estate Planning lawyers by nearby cities

Contracts Counsel was incredibly helpful and easy to use. I submitted a project for a lawyer's help within a day I had received over 6 proposals from qualified lawyers. I submitted a bid that works best for my business and we went forward with the project.

View Trustpilot Review

I never knew how difficult it was to obtain representation or a lawyer, and ContractsCounsel was EXACTLY the type of service I was hoping for when I was in a pinch. Working with their service was efficient, effective and made me feel in control. Thank you so much and should I ever need attorney services down the road, I'll certainly be a repeat customer.

View Trustpilot Review

I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.

View Trustpilot Review

How It Works

Post Your Project

Get Free Bids to Compare

Hire Your Lawyer

Clients Rate Lawyers 4.9 Stars
based on 22,019 reviews

Want to speak to someone?

Get in touch below and we will schedule a time to connect!

Request a call

Find lawyers and attorneys by city