4 Top-Rated Trusts and Estate Attorneys in Albany, New York

Where to Find the Top-Rated Trusts and Estate Attorneys in Albany, New York

When individuals are willing to find an attorney, they would in most cases get to meet the highly rated teams in Albany. The attorneys of each of the firms have a significant experience in their relationships with clients, expertise in law and ability to provide multifaceted services.

1. Ettinger Law Firm

Ettinger Law Firm

Ettinger Law Firm has multiple experienced attorneys ready to help Albany residents with estate and trust concerns. Each legal expert specializes in those areas to help senior citizens save on legal fees, reduce taxes and create long-term plans. The firm’s client-focused approach leads to benefits like ongoing client plan monitoring. Attend one of the office’s free seminars to learn more about the estate planning its attorneys offer.

Ettinger Law Firm
Practice AreasYears of PracticeAttorneys on Staff
WillsLiving trustsEstate administration and probateSpecial needs trustElder lawMedicaid strategiesWealth preservation strategiesOver 35 yearsNine 

2. Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP

People trust Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP with their finances because the firm provides comprehensive family wealth planning. The attorneys on staff will assist with complex estates, tax questions, the creation of wills and more. They also offer long-term representation if a client’s family members contest any estate or trust arrangements.

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
Practice AreasYears of PracticeAttorneys on Staff
Trusts and estatesFederal and state taxationHealth care16 other practice areasOver 50 years118

3. Burke & Casserly P.C.

Burke & Casserly P.C.

Burke & Casserly P.C. is home to some of the top-rated trusts and estate attorneys in Albany, NY. The firm’s estate planning and elder law assistance services are available to people of all ages, so Albany residents can start long-term planning anytime. People can schedule a free half-hour consultation to see if the firm is a good fit before arranging other options like Medicaid planning, guardianship, crisis planning and more.

Burke & Casserly P.C.
Practice AreasYears of PracticeAttorneys on Staff
Elder lawEstate planningWills and trustsEstate and trust administrationSpecial needs planningFinancial, investment and retirement planningCorporate and business planningOver 36 yearsFive

4. The Pfeiffer Law Firm PLLC

Anyone wanting to support themselves and their loved ones through futureproofing plans should contact The Pfeiffer Law Firm PLLC. Bill Pfeiffer is the founder and sole attorney at the firm, so it is a leading option for anyone seeking one-on-one client relationship building. He has decades of experience in advocating for the elderly and assisting individuals with special needs. Clients also benefit from his experience as director of the Estate Planning Council and member of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association.

The Pfeiffer Law Firm PLLC
Practice AreasYears of PracticeAttorneys on Staff
Estate administration and probateEstate planningMedicaidSpecial needs planningReal estateBusiness planningOver 30 yearsOne

When and Why People Contact Attorneys

People sometimes think they must wait until retirement to work with a trusts and estate attorney, but that is not the case. Anyone can reach out if they have financial assets that need management.

The attorney will make a plan to distribute the assets according to their client’s wishes after the client passes away, which may happen earlier than expected. The arrangements can provide more peace of mind for those worried about what happens with their properties and finances if they pass suddenly, like in a car accident.

Partnering with an attorney also lets people set up the legal arrangements for power of attorney. Medical teams must know who can make final decisions if the patient cannot advocate for themself. The legal documents drafted by a trusts and estate attorney provide that clarification.

A person’s attorney will also help the client’s children or grandchildren during disputes over remaining estates, wills or trusts. They can clarify what was established and provide legal paperwork proving the distribution. 

Issues to Discuss with regards to Estates and Trusts

Financial assets have to be managed with skills and confidence. Individuals resort to those who practice the profession to assist them in their legal matters both in life and after they have died. By conducting a study of the best-rated trusts and estate attorneys in Albany, New York, it will be possible to identify qualified legal experts in the area. They are capable of supporting the estate planning requirements in a bid to offer greater peace of mind.

Professional lawyers will interrogate various aspects with individuals who want to join as their clients. To begin with, they are expected to talk about the needs of the potential client. Is the individual recorded to give his/her children powers of attorney or trusts?

As soon as the attorney gets familiar with the case of the client, they will consider his or her objectives and schedule. There are those who approach trusts and estate lawyers at an early age and others do it at retirement age. The conversation will also include the discussion of related fees. Attorneys understand that individuals shop around regarding prices and experience first, then the first conversation must lead to simple information to straighten out the process.

Michael Ettinger (Newyork Lawyer)

I've been a member of the New York Bar since 1980, but I didn't start focusing exclusively on elder law estate planning until 1991. Once I made that shift, I realized this was exactly where I wanted to be because elder law estate planning is one of the most professionally satisfying areas of law you can practice. When you do it properly, clients walk away with an enormous sense of gratification and peace of mind, which doesn't happen in every area of legal work.
The way I approach this is by emphasizing trusts rather than wills, and there's a specific reason for that structure. Trusts help clients preserve and protect their assets from the expense and delay of probate, and at the same time we're making sure that everything they've worked for isn't lost to nursing home expenses and taxes. Those two concerns come up in almost every consultation I have with families.
My experience in estate planning and elder law has allowed me to build a successful practice as President of Ettinger Law Firm, and we've expanded to twelve office locations throughout New York State at this point. I've written for respected legal publications like the New York State Bar Journal, and I've published over two hundred articles on estate planning and elder law subjects over the years. I currently serve as a contributor to the bestselling book Understanding Living Trusts, which is published by Schumacher.

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