Estates & Wills

The Law Office of Anthony T. Ballato provides a full range of Estate Planning, Administration, Probate and Elder Law services as well as strategies to help construct and implement a customized Estate Plan. Anthony Ballato offers legal services and consultations in a caring, professional and cost-effective way.

When it comes to planning for the distribution of wealth or assets upon death or incapacitation, it can be difficult and confusing to know what plan to follow: Should you make a will or set up a trust, and what kind? And even if you have one, how can you be sure it is designed well enough to carry out your wishes? Poorly designed wills and insufficient planning can create a number of problems during hospitalization or after your death, making good estate planning and strong wills and trusts a necessity. Anthony Ballato can help you design the right solution for you.

Our process
We are here for our clients and their families as their lives change and the services they need evolve. We respond to all calls and correspondence promptly. Our Long Island law firm also takes into consideration that certain deadlines and unexpected emergencies arise and work with you the best we can to ease the process of dealing with estates, wills and trusts.

• Estate Planning and Administration
• Probate and Administration Proceedings
• Supplemental Needs Trusts
• Testamentary Trusts
• Living Trusts
• Pour-Over Wills
• Last Will and Testament
• Surrogate Court Proceedings
• Miscellaneous Proceedings
• Elder Law and Medicaid Planning
• Deed with Life Estate
• Will Contests and Disputes
• Creditor’s Claims and Defenses
• Guardianships
• Powers of Attorney
• Custodians, Executors, Trustees and Fiduciaries
• Living Wills, Health Care Proxy
• Life Insurance Trusts
• Family Limited Partnerships

Rethinking Online Templates for Wills and Estates

In a world where virtual meetings and online grocery shopping are the norm, our necessity to stay home has led many to undertake tasks personally rather than seek outside assistance. The allure of do-it-yourself projects promises frugality and convenience. Of all the ways you can save time and money, wills and estate planning are not where to place budget before quality. You can file your taxes and buy a car via the Internet, but the often complex arena of estate planning deserves more than a few clicks of the mouse.

Online will and estate templates are plentiful, and they have advantages in some limited situations. Most online templates are prepared and reviewed by attorneys or other legal professionals. If you are single without a lot of assets, a will prepared with an online template will may meet your needs. Even a marginally more complex situation risk the outcome of your last wishes and estate.

Estate planning documents available for online completion may include a will, trust, and/or powers of attorney for healthcare and finances. Filling in the blank sounds straightforward. Consider, however, that each state has unique laws that govern probate, so a universal form can’t apply to every situation.

Your legacy is something that deserves attention. If cost drives your decision, consider the expense to your survivors if your will is contested. Keep in mind that your DIY endeavors in this area will be scrutinized only after your death. Because you’ll no longer have any voice in the outcome of your last will and testament, the arbitrary nature of a DIY will won’t bring the peace of mind that an experienced attorney can offer.

A proper will must follow fundamental requirements for probate in your particular location and include disposition of your assets and payment of any obligations. The Law Office of Anthony T. Ballato provides more than specialized expertise in preparing legal documents. We ask you the right questions and counsel clients through the options available to tailor exactly what will suit your needs. Call us today at 516-541-9080 to get started on your estate planning.