Estate planning is one of those things people tend to put off. You may think, “I’ll get to my will next year,” especially when everything in life seems to be working normally. But estate planning is not only about what happens after you die. It can also determine who manages your finances if you become unable to make decisions, who can make healthcare decisions for you, and how your property is handled.

If you are searching for the Best Estate Planning Attorneys New York City, you will find hundreds of lawyers and firms offering wills, trusts, probate, elder law, Medicaid planning, and related services. Current legal directories list thousands of attorneys serving the New York City market, so choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

The following are some NYC-area estate planning attorneys and firms worth researching. This is not a legal ranking; rather, it is a practical starting list based on current local listings, reviews, and estate-planning experience.

1. Katzner Law Group, PC

Katzner Law Group is a Manhattan estate planning practice located on Lexington Avenue. Current local listings show the firm with a 5.0 rating and more than 300 reviews, while a recent 2026 comparison highlighted the firm for complex trusts and multi-state probate matters.

For families with more complicated financial situations, it can be useful to ask whether the attorney regularly handles trusts, estate administration, tax considerations, and assets located in multiple states.

2. Morgan Legal Group I Estate Planning & Probate Attorney New York City

Morgan Legal Group focuses on estate planning, probate, elder law, and related matters. Its Manhattan office is located at 15 Maiden Lane.

The firm’s practice can be particularly relevant for families who are dealing with estate planning and elder-law concerns at the same time. Current legal directories describe its services as including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advanced directives, Medicaid planning, and asset protection.

3. Michael J. Greenberg, P.C. – Estate Planning & Elder Law

Michael J. Greenberg, P.C. is located on Madison Avenue and focuses on estate planning and elder law.

That combination can matter when an older family member needs more than simply a will. Questions involving long-term care, Medicaid planning, guardianship, probate, and asset protection can overlap with traditional estate planning.

The firm currently has a 5.0 rating with more than 160 local reviews in the business listing.

4. Sishodia PLLC | Real Estate Attorney and Estate Planning Lawyer

Sishodia PLLC has a Manhattan office on Third Avenue and works in both real estate and estate planning.

That combination may be useful for New Yorkers whose estate includes significant real estate holdings. Owning a condominium, cooperative apartment, investment property, or other real estate can add another layer to an estate plan.

The firm’s current business listing shows a 5.0 rating with more than 130 reviews.

5. Mishiyeva Law PLLC

Mishiyeva Law PLLC is located on Broad Street in Manhattan and handles estate planning and related legal matters.

The firm is another option for people who want to discuss wills, trusts, probate, and the administration of an estate with an attorney.

Current local listings show a 5.0 rating and more than 100 reviews.

6. Law Office of Inna Fershteyn and Associates, P.C.

Located in Brooklyn, the Law Office of Inna Fershteyn and Associates handles estate planning, elder law, probate, estate litigation, Medicaid planning, and special-needs trusts.

Those services can be especially relevant for families whose situation involves an elderly parent, a family member with special needs, or complicated asset-protection questions. Current listings also identify the practice as serving the broader New York City area.

7. Regina Kiperman, Esq., RK Law PC

RK Law PC, led by Regina Kiperman, is located on Wall Street and focuses on estate planning and related matters.

A local listing currently shows a 4.8 rating with more than 100 reviews.

When considering an attorney, look beyond the rating and ask whether the lawyer’s experience fits your specific needs. A simple will and a complicated trust-based estate plan are very different projects.

8. Law Office of Laura E. Cowan PLLC

The Law Office of Laura E. Cowan is located on Park Avenue and focuses on estate planning.

The attorney’s background includes both accounting and law, which can be useful when estate planning involves financial and tax-related considerations. Current listings show a 5.0 rating with dozens of reviews.

9. The Wills & Trusts Firm, LLP

The Wills & Trusts Firm is located on East 42nd Street in Manhattan.

As the firm’s name suggests, wills and trusts are central to its practice. This can be worth considering if your primary goal is creating or updating an estate plan rather than hiring a general-practice attorney who handles estate planning only occasionally.

10. The Estate Planning & Elder Law Group

The Estate Planning & Elder Law Group is located in Glendale, Queens.

For families searching specifically within Queens, this can be a convenient option to research. The practice combines estate planning with elder-law services, which can be helpful when planning for aging, long-term care, Medicaid, or other issues affecting older family members.

What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Actually Do?

A lot of people think estate planning means simply writing a will.

It can be much more than that.

The New York City Bar explains that estate planning can address what happens to your property during your lifetime, what happens if you become incapacitated, and what happens to your assets after death.

Depending on your circumstances, an estate planning attorney may help you prepare:

• A last will and testament
• Revocable or irrevocable trusts
• Power of attorney
• Health care proxy
• Advance directives
• Living will
• Guardianship arrangements
• Beneficiary designations
• Estate administration documents
• Medicaid planning
• Special-needs trusts
• Asset-protection strategies

Not everyone needs every document.

That’s actually one of the reasons it is useful to speak with an attorney rather than downloading a generic will from the internet.

Why New York Estate Planning Can Be Complicated

New York has its own estate and trust laws, including provisions under the New York Estates, Powers and Trusts Law.

If you die without a valid will, New York’s intestacy rules determine how certain property is distributed. That distribution may not match what you would have chosen for your family.

And then there are the practical complications.

Maybe you own a Manhattan apartment.

Maybe you have a business.

Maybe you have children from a previous marriage.

Maybe one child lives in California while another lives in New York.

Maybe you want to leave money to a grandchild.

Or perhaps you are worried about what happens if you eventually need nursing home care.

These details can completely change what an appropriate estate plan looks like.

How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Attorney in NYC

Don’t choose an attorney simply because their website looks impressive.

Start with your situation.

If you have a straightforward estate and only need basic documents, you may not need a lawyer who primarily handles ultra-high-net-worth estates.

On the other hand, if you own multiple properties, operate a business, have a complicated family structure, or have substantial assets, you may want someone with deeper experience in trusts, taxation, estate administration, and asset protection.

Ask What Is Included in the Fee

Before signing an engagement agreement, ask exactly what you are paying for.

For example:

• Does the fee include a will?
• Is a trust included?
• Are powers of attorney included?
• Are healthcare documents included?
• Does the attorney review beneficiary designations?
• Is there a follow-up meeting?
• What happens if you need to change the documents later?

Estate planning fees can vary considerably depending on complexity, so comparing the total scope of the service is more useful than simply asking which lawyer is cheapest.

Ask About Updates

Estate plans should not necessarily remain untouched for decades.

Marriage, divorce, a new child, a death in the family, a major change in finances, or the purchase or sale of property can all be reasons to review your documents.

Even if nothing dramatic happens, it can be sensible to periodically check whether your plan still reflects your wishes.

Make Sure the Attorney Understands Your Family

This may be the most important part.

Your lawyer needs to understand not only what you own but what you are trying to accomplish.

Who should receive your property?

Who should make decisions if you cannot?

Who should care for minor children?

What happens if one beneficiary dies before you?

Do you want assets protected from certain circumstances?

The better your attorney understands these goals, the more useful the estate plan can be.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best estate planning attorney in New York City?

There is no single attorney who is best for every family. Firms such as Katzner Law Group, Morgan Legal Group, Michael J. Greenberg, Mishiyeva Law, Sishodia PLLC, and other NYC practices are worth researching based on your specific needs, location, and type of estate. Current legal directories list many highly rated estate planning attorneys throughout New York City.

2. What documents should an estate plan include?

Depending on your circumstances, an estate plan may include a will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare proxy, advance directives, and other documents. The right combination depends on your assets, family situation, and goals.

3. Do I need an estate planning attorney if I only need a will?

You may be able to create a basic will without extensive legal assistance, but working with an attorney can help identify issues you may not have considered. This becomes particularly important if you own significant assets, have a complicated family structure, own property in multiple states, or have special planning needs.

4. How often should I update my estate plan?

There is no universal schedule. It is wise to review your plan after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a death in the family, significant financial changes, or acquiring major property. A periodic review can also help ensure that your documents still reflect your wishes.

Final Thoughts

Finding the Best Estate Planning Attorneys New York City is less about finding the lawyer with the biggest advertisement and more about finding someone who understands your family, assets, and long-term goals.

A good estate plan should answer some uncomfortable but important questions before someone is forced to answer them for you.

Who handles your finances if you cannot?

Who makes medical decisions?

Who receives your property?

What happens to your home?

And what happens if your family situation changes?

Taking care of those questions now can make things considerably easier for the people you care about later.