What to Expect When You Book a Trust Appointment in New York

Most people put off estate planning because they don’t know what the first meeting actually costs them — in time, money, or complexity. This page answers those questions directly so you can walk in prepared.

How a Trust Engagement Works — Step by Step

Stage	What Happens	Typical Timeframe
Initial consultation	Goals assessment, asset inventory, trust-type recommendation	30–60 minutes
Drafting	Attorney prepares trust instrument under EPTL Article 7	1–3 weeks
Execution	Notarized signing; trustee acceptance	1 appointment
Funding	Retitle assets into the trust name	2–6 weeks (varies by asset)
Ongoing administration	Trustee duties under EPTL Article 11-A prudent-investor standard	Continuous

Which Trust Fits Your Situation?

• Revocable living trust — You keep full control; avoids probate and Surrogate’s Court; does not reduce NY estate tax (assets stay in your taxable estate).
• Irrevocable trust — Removes assets from your estate for tax or asset-protection purposes; Medicaid planning requires clearing the 5-year look-back.
• Special Needs Trust (SNT) — Preserves Medicaid/SSI eligibility for a disabled beneficiary under EPTL § 7-1.12.

The 2026 NY Estate Tax Threshold You Need to Know

New York’s basic exclusion is $7,350,000 in 2026. Estates exceeding 105% of that figure ($7,717,500) hit the cliff — the entire exemption is lost. An irrevocable trust structured before death is often the only tool that changes that outcome. See the NY Department of Taxation for current rates.

Compare trust vs. will options or review trust administration duties before your appointment.

Ready to plan? Book a 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan, Esq. — statewide, serving NYC, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York.