Estate Planning Attorneys in Staten Island | Protecting Your Legacy, Your Way
Estate planning is one of the most meaningful legal actions you can take. It’s not just about what happens when you pass away — it’s about how you live now, how you protect your family, and how you preserve the values and assets you’ve spent a lifetime building.
At Angiuli & Gentile, LLP, we help Staten Island families and individuals gain peace of mind by building customized, legally sound estate plans that address not only the distribution of assets, but also health care decisions, incapacity planning, guardianship, tax mitigation, and long-term care preparation. Since 1985, we’ve proudly guided clients through this deeply personal process with a unique blend of legal precision and compassionate care.
Why Estate Planning Is Essential for Every Adult
Many people assume that estate planning is only for retirees or the wealthy. That couldn’t be further from the truth. If you own property, have children, care about your health care choices, or wish to protect your assets from taxes or court costs, then estate planning is for you.
Take Charge of Important Life Decisions
Without an estate plan, the courts — not you — decide:
- Who receives your assets
- Who becomes the guardian of your children
- Who manages your finances if you’re incapacitated
- What medical care you receive in a crisis
- How your estate is taxed, divided, or delayed
By planning ahead, you eliminate confusion, reduce family tension, and ensure that your values are reflected in every decision.
Prevent Conflict and Delay
Even in the most loving families, uncertainty can lead to disputes. A clear, well-crafted estate plan minimizes legal ambiguities and protects your heirs from unnecessary stress, costly court battles, or bitter disagreements.
Secure Your Children and Dependents
If something were to happen to you tomorrow, who would care for your children? Would they have the financial resources they need? Would their guardians respect your parenting values? Estate planning helps you plan for the care, custody, and financial stability of your dependents — today and in the future.
Save Money, Time, and Taxes
Proper planning can help your family:
- Avoid the cost and delays of probate
- Minimize or eliminate estate and inheritance taxes
- Keep your financial matters private and outside of public court records
- Preserve your home and other assets from being sold to pay for long-term care
Our Comprehensive Estate Planning Services
At Angiuli & Gentile, LLP, we believe estate planning should be proactive, not reactive. We work closely with each client to assess their financial situation, family structure, and future goals — and then we develop a tailored, legally sound estate plan that evolves with your life.
Wills: Put Your Intentions in Writing
A will is the cornerstone of every estate plan. It allows you to:
- Specify who receives your property, savings, personal belongings, or real estate
- Name an executor to carry out your wishes
- Appoint guardians for minor children
- Include special instructions for family heirlooms, digital assets, or pets
- Leave charitable bequests to causes you care about
Without a valid will, your estate will be distributed according to New York’s default laws — which may not reflect your wishes.
Trusts: Preserve, Protect, and Control Your Assets
Trusts are powerful tools that allow you to manage your wealth, protect your heirs, and control how and when assets are distributed. Our attorneys help clients establish:
- Revocable Living Trusts, which allow flexibility and control during your lifetime and help your estate avoid probate upon death
- Irrevocable Trusts, which can shield assets from taxes, creditors, or Medicaid recovery
- Special Needs Trusts, to provide long-term financial care for children or adults with disabilities
- Charitable Trusts, allowing you to support causes you love while gaining tax advantages
- Testamentary Trusts, which activate upon your passing and protect minors or vulnerable heirs
We guide you through choosing the right structure based on your family dynamics, financial complexity, and long-term goals.
Powers of Attorney: Ensure Financial Continuity
Life is unpredictable. If you become seriously ill, suffer a brain injury, or are otherwise unable to make decisions, who will manage your finances?
A Durable Power of Attorney lets you:
- Appoint a trusted agent to manage bills, taxes, investments, and legal matters
- Avoid the need for court-ordered guardianship
- Maintain financial control even during medical emergencies
We ensure your POA is comprehensive, enforceable, and aligned with your wishes.
Health Care Proxies and Living Wills: Protect Your Medical Autonomy
These documents ensure your medical preferences are honored and that a trusted person can speak on your behalf when you can’t.
- A Health Care Proxy lets you appoint someone to make health care decisions for you
- A Living Will (Advance Directive) communicates your preferences regarding life support, palliative care, organ donation, and more
We walk clients through difficult decisions, helping them feel confident that their values and wishes will be respected in any circumstance.
Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning: Maximize What You Leave Behind
Estate and inheritance taxes can consume a significant portion of your legacy. We help clients avoid unnecessary loss by:
- Creating tax-sheltered trusts
- Utilizing gifting strategies during life
- Structuring business and property ownership efficiently
- Planning across generations to preserve family wealth
For high-net-worth clients or those with complex holdings, our attorneys work alongside accountants and financial advisors to create a multilayered estate tax mitigation strategy.
Guardianships: Protecting the Vulnerable
If a loved one can no longer manage their affairs — and has not appointed a power of attorney — a legal guardianship may be required. We assist families with:
- Petitioning the court for guardianship over minors, elderly relatives, or incapacitated adults
- Navigating New York’s Article 81 and Article 17-A guardianship laws
- Managing fiduciary responsibilities as a guardian
- Resolving conflicts over who should serve as guardian
Guardianship proceedings are complex and emotional — we help families approach them with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Probate and Estate Administration: Guidance After a Loss
Administering an estate can be overwhelming, especially during grief. We help executors, administrators, and trustees manage the full process, including:
- Filing and validating wills in Surrogate’s Court
- Identifying and securing assets
- Paying outstanding debts and taxes
- Distributing property according to the will or trust
- Resolving disputes among beneficiaries
- Handling audits, appraisals, or legal claims
We provide steady legal guidance during this difficult time, ensuring compliance with the law and honoring your loved one’s wishes.
Charitable Giving and Legacy Planning: Create Meaningful Impact
We help clients create lasting charitable legacies through:
- Bequests in wills or trusts
- Charitable remainder or lead trusts
- Donor-advised funds
- Lifetime giving strategies
- Naming charities as beneficiaries of insurance or retirement accounts
Our goal is to amplify your generosity while protecting your estate from avoidable tax burdens.
Filing Estate Claims, Challenges, or Petitions
Our firm also helps with estate-related claims and legal actions, including:
- Filing guardianship petitions in court
- Contesting a will due to undue influence, fraud, or lack of capacity
- Suing or defending executors and trustees over breach of duty
- Filing creditor claims for unpaid debts owed by an estate
- Filing petitions for estate accounting or removal of fiduciaries
If you’re a beneficiary, heir, or administrator facing legal uncertainty, we can represent your interests assertively and ethically.
Maximizing Compensation and Preserving Estate Value
Your estate reflects a lifetime of hard work. We help you preserve and pass on that value by:
- Avoiding or minimizing taxes
- Preventing financial exploitation or mismanagement
- Ensuring that heirs receive their full inheritance without unnecessary court costs
- Maintaining privacy by avoiding probate when possible
- Protecting homes and retirement accounts from being drained by long-term care expenses
Our firm’s strategies are designed to maximize the financial legacy you leave behind.
How Angiuli & Gentile, LLP Helps You — Every Step of the Way
At Angiuli & Gentile, LLP, we do more than draft legal documents — we become long-term partners in protecting your family, your assets, and your peace of mind.
Personalized Service, Tailored to You
Every family is unique. We take time to understand your goals, assets, and relationships so your estate plan reflects your life, not a template. Whether you’re starting a family, planning for retirement, or managing a complex estate, your plan will be custom-built for your needs.
Skilled in Complex Situations
From blended families and second marriages to high-value estates and business ownership, we have deep experience handling all types of estate planning scenarios. We understand how to protect what matters most — even when things are complicated.
Compassionate, Clear Guidance
Estate planning can bring up tough decisions. We guide you with care and explain everything in plain English. You’ll always know what your documents mean, how they work, and why they matter — without legal jargon or pressure.
Ongoing Support When Life Changes
We’re here for you long after your plan is signed. As your family grows or circumstances shift, we’ll help you keep everything up to date. We also support families through estate administration after the loss of a loved one, offering legal clarity during emotional times.
How to Get Started with Estate Planning
Taking the first step can feel daunting — but our process is designed to make it simple and empowering.
- Schedule a private consultation.
We’ll discuss your goals, family structure, concerns, and legal options. - Gather your documents.
These may include titles, deeds, bank accounts, prior wills, insurance policies, or business documents. - Design your estate plan.
We’ll build a custom strategy that fits your life, your family, and your vision for the future. - Review, sign, and implement.
We draft all required documents, oversee their execution, and help you keep them updated over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning
Do I really need an estate plan if I don’t have a large estate?
Yes. Estate planning isn’t just about money — it’s about making sure your wishes are followed, your loved ones are protected, and your affairs are handled smoothly. Even if you only own a home, have children, or want to name someone to make medical decisions on your behalf, an estate plan is essential.
What happens if I die without a will in New York?
If you die without a will (intestate), New York law determines who inherits your property. This may not reflect your actual wishes. It can also lead to delays, family disputes, and court involvement. A valid will ensures your voice is heard and your intentions are followed.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will goes into effect after your death and must go through probate. A trust, on the other hand, can go into effect during your lifetime and helps you avoid probate altogether. Trusts also allow for more privacy, flexibility, and control over how and when your assets are distributed.
How often should I update my estate plan?
You should review your estate plan every 3 to 5 years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a death in the family, a significant change in assets, or a move to a new state. Keeping your plan current ensures it reflects your present wishes and circumstances.
Who should I choose as my executor or trustee?
Choose someone you trust, who is responsible and organized. This person will manage your estate, pay bills, and ensure your instructions are followed. It can be a family member, a friend, or even a professional fiduciary if your estate is complex.
Contact Angiuli & Gentile, LLP Today
Estate planning is your opportunity to shape the future for your family, preserve the values you believe in, and leave behind more than assets — you leave behind peace of mind.
Let Angiuli & Gentile, LLP help you craft a plan that speaks clearly when you no longer can.
Contact us today to schedule a private consultation with an experienced Staten Island estate planning attorney.
