Most estate-planning consultations end with a choice between a revocable living trust and a basic will. At Morgan Legal Group, Russel Morgan, Esq. opens the conversation much wider — matching each client to the least-used yet most powerful structures available under New York law.
What Sets an Innovative Approach Apart
A well-designed trust does more than avoid Surrogate’s Court probate. Depending on your goals, it may:
| Goal | Instrument | Governing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Bypass probate & manage incapacity | Revocable Living Trust | EPTL Art. 7 |
| Reduce the NY estate-tax cliff ($7,717,500) | Irrevocable Trust (e.g., SLAT, ILIT) | EPTL Art. 7; NY Tax Law |
| Protect a disabled beneficiary’s Medicaid/SSI | Supplemental Needs Trust | EPTL 7-1.12 |
| Multi-generational wealth preservation | Dynasty / GST Trust | EPTL Art. 7 |
New York’s 2026 basic exclusion is $7,350,000 — but estates crossing 105% of that threshold ($7,717,500) lose the entire exemption. Sophisticated irrevocable structures can keep assets below the cliff before it triggers.
Every trustee we work with operates under the EPTL Article 11-A prudent-investor standard and full fiduciary duties of loyalty and accounting. Understand the full picture on our trust administration and trust vs. will pages.
Ready to move beyond the standard playbook?
Schedule a 30-minute strategy session with Russel Morgan, Esq.
Have a question about your estate?
Talk it through with Russel Morgan — free 30-minute consult.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: .