Estate Planning Attorney
Helping You Prepare for the Future On Your Terms
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and your assets. At DPL, we work with clients across Dutchess and Putnam County, as well as Connecticut, to create personalized estate plans that provide security, clarity, and peace of mind.
People often think of estate planning as something you do after you’re gone. And while that’s certainly part of it, deciding who gets what and how is just one piece. Just as important is what happens if you’re alive but can’t act for yourself. Who can access your accounts? Who makes medical decisions? These aren’t easy questions, but planning for them now can spare your loved ones confusion and conflict later.
How Can We Help?
Wills, Trusts, and the Mechanics of Asset Protection
Estate plans often start with a will, but for many clients, that’s just the beginning. We help clients think through how their assets are held and passed down in order to protect those assets, not just from taxes or creditors, but sometimes from the beneficiaries themselves.
Depending on the circumstances, that could mean creating a revocable trust to avoid probate, or an irrevocable trust to lock in long-term protections. Some clients want to make sure a family home stays in the family. Others are concerned about a beneficiary’s financial habits. We look at the full picture, your goals, your concerns, your assets, and help you come up with a plan that fits.
Administering Estates and Trusts After a Death
When someone passes away, their estate doesn’t handle itself. We represent the people responsible for managing estates, whether it’s executors named in a will, trustees named in a trust, or administrators appointed when there’s no plan at all.
This role comes with responsibilities. You may need to gather financial records, settle debts, deal with property, and make sure distributions happen correctly. Sometimes family members disagree. Sometimes paperwork gets complicated. Our job is to make the process manageable and make sure everything is done right.
We also represent beneficiaries who have questions or concerns about how an estate is being handled. Maybe they’re not sure what they’re entitled to. Maybe they think something isn’t adding up. We help them get answers and take action when needed.
Real-World Planning for Families, Professionals, and Property Owners
Not every estate is simple. Sometimes there’s real estate involved, rental properties, legacy homes, or jointly owned land. These assets raise questions that aren’t always answered by a basic will. We help clients think through the legal and practical issues tied to their real property and integrate those decisions into their broader estate plans.
At DPL, estate planning is not a template. It’s a conversation, one that leads to a plan that fits your life as it is now and as it might be later.