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If you live in Garden City or the surrounding areas of Nassau County, having a valid will isn’t just a good idea—it’s one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and your assets. At the Law Office of Angela Siegel, we help individuals and families throughout Garden City, New York, create legally sound wills tailored to their needs, goals, and values.
Whether you’re just starting to build your estate plan or updating documents you created years ago, a will gives you control over what happens after you’re gone. Without one, state law decides for you—and that rarely aligns with what most people want.
A Will Gives You a Say in Who Gets What
The most well-known purpose of a will is to direct how your assets should be distributed. This includes everything from your home and bank accounts to family heirlooms, vehicles, and digital property.
Without a will:
- Your estate passes according to New York’s intestacy laws.
- Assets may go to relatives you wouldn’t have chosen.
- Family disputes over who inherits what become more likely.
With a valid will in place, you decide how your assets are divided and who receives what. You can leave specific gifts, make charitable bequests, or exclude certain individuals entirely.
Name a Guardian for Minor Children
For parents of young children, a will allows you to designate a legal guardian. If something happens to you and the other parent, the court will refer to your will when making custody decisions.
Without your input, the court chooses a guardian based on its own assessment—not necessarily on who you would have wanted to raise your children. Naming a guardian in your will gives your wishes legal weight and can help avoid disputes between relatives during an already difficult time.
Appoint the Right Person to Handle Your Affairs
You will also name an executor—the person responsible for settling your estate. This includes managing property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets. It’s a big job, and it should be someone you trust.
If you don’t name an executor:
- The court will appoint someone, which may delay the process.
- That person may not be familiar with your wishes or family dynamics.
- Your estate could incur unnecessary costs and stress for your loved ones.
Choosing an executor in your will ensures a smoother administration process and provides clarity for your family.
Avoid Legal Complications for Loved Ones
Dying without a will—called dying “intestate”—creates uncertainty. Your family may need to go through a longer, more expensive probate process, and there may be confusion or disagreement over how to handle your estate.
A clear, well-drafted will:
- Reduces the chances of litigation or family conflict.
- Speeds up the probate process in Surrogate’s Court.
- Minimizes administrative costs and delays.
For Garden City residents with property in multiple states, a well-structured estate plan can also help streamline proceedings across jurisdictions, which is an area where the Law Office of Angela Siegel is uniquely positioned to assist, given our extensive cross-state planning experience.
Update Your Will as Life Changes
Even if you already have a will, it may be time to revisit it. Major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a move to or from New York can impact your estate plan. An outdated will may not reflect your current wishes or comply with current laws.
We recommend reviewing your will every few years or when any of the following occur:
- A change in marital status
- A significant change in assets or debts
- A relocation between states (especially between New York and Florida)
- A new child or grandchild
- A change in beneficiaries or executors
The Law Office of Angela Siegel can help you assess whether updates are needed and ensure your plan continues to reflect your goals.
Plan With Confidence in Garden City
Creating a will may feel uncomfortable, but it’s an act of care—not just for yourself, but for your loved ones. With the right legal guidance, the process is straightforward and empowering.
At the Law Office of Angela Siegel, we’ve been helping clients in Garden City and across Long Island protect their wishes and preserve family harmony for over three decades. We understand New York probate law and know how to create estate planning documents that hold up in court and clearly reflect your intentions.
Schedule a Personalized Will Planning Session
Your life isn’t one-size-fits-all. Neither should your will be. Schedule a planning session with the Law Office of Angela Siegel and get the peace of mind that comes from a plan built just for you. Contact us today to get started.