Looking for a estate planning attorney in New York? Below: vetted firms covering Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island, real NY cost ranges for flat fee representation, and what NY law actually says about your situation. Most firms offer a free initial consultation.
21 vetted firms in New York handle estate planning cases. The shortlist below is editor-picked based on practice-area concentration, ratings, and client feedback.
Costs in New York run roughly 50% above the national average — premium urban market with higher rents and salaries.
Fee structure: Estate planning is the most predictably-priced area of law. Get a quote on the package, not the hour.
Typical range: $200-$800 simple will; $1,500-$3,500 trust package.
Up-front cost: Half at engagement.
For a fuller breakdown of how lawyers actually price work across all 30 legal needs we cover, see our cost guide. The numbers above are 2026 averages; your specific quote will depend on the firm's experience level, the complexity of your case, and the firm's caseload at the moment you call.
Two ways to keep costs down in any New York estate planning matter: (1) come prepared to the first meeting with a one-page summary of facts, dates, and dollar amounts; (2) ask for a flat fee where one is offered — it removes the lawyer's incentive to take longer than necessary.
Statute of limitations: varies — ask a local attorney. This is when you have to file by — not when you have to settle by.
Court system: local trial court.
Fault rules: varies.
Damage caps: varies.
One thing to know: Estate Planning cases are governed primarily by NY state statutes and case law. Ask the firm you call about applicable deadlines on your specific situation.
This page is a starting point, not a substitute for advice that applies to your specific situation. For that, talk to a licensed NY attorney — most of the firms above offer a free initial consultation for New York residents.
Most people hire a estate planning lawyer in New York after one of these triggers:
If any of these match what's happening to you, get a free consultation booked this week. Waiting rarely improves the case and often hurts it — evidence fades, witnesses move, and statute-of-limitations clocks keep running.
A will distributes your assets after you die and typically requires probate court. A trust holds assets during your lifetime and bypasses probate, generally faster and more private.
A simple will package (will, healthcare proxy, power of attorney) typically runs $400-$1,200 in New York. A trust package runs $1,500-$3,500.
If your estate is simple, you have one home, and you're okay with probate, a will may suffice. Trusts make sense for: real estate in multiple states, special-needs beneficiaries, blended families, or estates approaching the federal exemption.
NY's intestacy statute decides who gets your assets. Usually it goes to spouse and children in defined shares. Unmarried partners and chosen friends/family get nothing.
Every 3-5 years, or sooner after: marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, death of a beneficiary, significant change in assets, or move to a new state.
Estate Planning elsewhere: Estate Planning lawyers in BostonEstate Planning lawyers in PhiladelphiaEstate Planning lawyers in Los Angeles
Other New York legal needs: Personal Injury lawyers in New YorkDivorce lawyers in New YorkCriminal Defense / DUI lawyers in New York
Background reading: Estate Planning guide · All New York firms · Top 10 Estate Planning firms in New York (full editorial picks) · How to compare law firms · Legal glossary
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