What company value propositions do you feel resonate with your clients most?

That we specialize in estate planning. The fact that we have fixed fees and take clients no matter how much they might have. Also, how hands-on we are for our clients and that we do not send them to speak to another associate, but directly with the attorney.

What’s unique about New York estate planning and what do you think matters?

New York has its own estate tax as well as the federal estate tax and is something the people should know and plan for.

New York also has a very detailed and lengthy probate process, which puts further emphasis on estate planning correctly and potentially not going to probate court.

What do you like best about the clients in your area?

My community is very engaged and willing to learn about their estate plan. Estate plans can vary based on many different factors and almost all of my clients are willing to take the time and learn and speak about which estate plan would be best for them.

What do clients in your community ask the most questions about? What do people in New York care about?

Clients ask most about protecting their home and land from taxes, nursing homes, probate or other creditors and how to make it simple for their beneficiaries.

Why is Oath right for your clients?

Oath is right for NYC clients because it provides a simple, efficient, and complete service and takes the guess-work away. Oath also helps our clients to take care of their family and not let the government make decisions for them.

What story do you tell at your workshops?

My best friend's father passed away when I was a child and I saw exactly how long and expensive the probate process is. That resonates with my clients because they now understand that I know exactly what the process looks like and how to avoid it.

What are the state specific documents that you prepare for clients, and why?

Vehicles do not automatically transfer over so making sure that those are taken care of is very important.

What do you estimate the longest possible probate is in your state?

For the average estate, probably no more than 18 months, but I have seen it take several years.

How much do you think the most expensive probate might cost in your state?

It could get up to somewhere around $10,000 - $15,000, whereas the average might sit around $5,000 - $7,500.

What do clients ask most at your workshops and how do you answer it?

They ask the difference between trusts and wills and I answer that by describing the probate process in the state of New York and explaining that trusts don’t go through this process but that wills do. They also ask about the step-up in basis for their homes so their children can avoid paying unnecessary taxes.

What are your three favorite communities that you visit on your workshop schedule?

Garden City, New Hyde Park and Valley Stream.

What’s the most impactful story you’ve had from one of your clients?

I had a client that had estranged family members and they knew that if their estate was to go to probate, they would try anything they could to take some of that estate away because they had done it before.

They already had a trust made, but upon review, they realized that many things were incorrect and they needed to get everything taken care of ASAP.

Upon hiring Oath and fixing their estate plan, when they passed away their beneficiaries had no issues getting their full estate and not having to worry about anybody else taking their estate away.