Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning

Every client receives individualized, thoughtful planning designed to protect their assets, honor their wishes, and ensure their loved ones are cared for. Broxton will work closely with you to create a comprehensive and strategic estate plan that reflects your goals and complies with New York State law.

Customized Estate Planning

Whether you are planning ahead for long-term care, preparing for the future of young children, or addressing the needs of a complex or blended family, Broxton provides clear guidance on your options:

Asset Protection & Long-Term Care Planning:

If you are concerned about protecting assets from potential nursing home or long-term care costs, Broxton will explain the advantages and limitations of New York–approved planning tools, including irrevocable trusts and strategic gifting. She helps you understand the Medicaid look-back period, eligibility rules, and how different planning strategies may affect your future.

Planning for Minor Children:

For parents of young children, Broxton will discuss how to select appropriate guardians and trustees under your New York will, ensuring your children are cared for and your assets are responsibly managed.

Special Needs Planning:

If you have a child or family member with special needs, Broxton will provide guidance on creating a Supplemental Needs Trust (also called a Special Needs Trust) to preserve eligibility for government benefits and protect their long-term financial stability.

Special Considerations for Blended Families

Blended families face unique challenges under New York State law, especially when spouses have children from previous relationships. Without proper planning, biological children of the first spouse to pass away may be unintentionally disinherited.

Without a will or trust in New York the surviving spouse inherits most of the estate. Assets inherited by the surviving spouse later pass to their children, not the deceased spouse's children. Stepchildren do not inherit under NY law unless legally adopted. The result? Children from another relationship can be accidentally disinherited. This is why it is so important to make a plan to ensure that each spouse's children are protected, the surviving spouse remains financially secure, and assets pass according to your wishes—not default state law.

Available Estate Planning Services Include:

• Estate management planning: during lifetime and after death
• Inheritance and asset-protection strategies
• Planning for children and family members with special needs
• Planning for blended, evolving, and non-traditional family structures
• Medicaid and long-term care planning
• Wills
• Health Care Proxy
• Power of Attorney
• Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts
• Pet trusts (authorized under EPTL § 7-8.1)