Estate Planning That Reflects Your Life and Protects the People in It
A clear, legally sound estate plan is one of the most direct ways to take care of the people you love — and to spare them from uncertainty when they need clarity most.
How We Approach Wills & Trusts
Your finances. Your Children. Your Future.
At Vanderwoude & Roma, we work with individuals and families across Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties to create estate plans that are practical, complete, and built around what actually matters to you. Whether you are putting a plan in place for the first time, updating documents after a divorce, or addressing a gap you have been meaning to close, we give you honest guidance and plain-language explanations at every step.
You will speak directly with Neil or Gerald — not a paralegal, not a case manager. That means your questions get answered by the attorney who knows your situation.
Last Will & Testament
A will is the foundation of any estate plan. It names who receives your assets, designates a guardian for minor children, and gives you control over decisions that would otherwise be left to a court. We draft wills that are clear, properly executed, and built to hold up.
Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
A trust can do things a will cannot — it can help your estate avoid probate, provide for a beneficiary with special needs, or give you more precise control over how and when assets are distributed. We help you understand which type of trust fits your situation and draft it to accomplish what you intend.
Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney designates someone you trust to manage financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. Without one, even a spouse may face significant legal hurdles to act in your interest. We prepare durable powers of attorney that are properly executed under New York law.
Healthcare Proxy
A healthcare proxy names the person authorized to make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself. It is one of the most important documents in an estate plan and one of the most commonly overlooked. We make sure yours reflects your wishes and is properly signed and witnessed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Wills and Trusts in New York
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
For many people, a properly drafted will is sufficient. A trust becomes more useful when you want to avoid probate, have a beneficiary with special needs, own property in multiple states, or want more control over how and when assets are distributed. We can help you evaluate which approach fits your situation.
What happens if I die without a will in New York?
New York's intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate. The distribution follows a fixed statutory formula based on your surviving relatives — a spouse, children, parents, or siblings in that order — and may not match your actual wishes. A will gives you control over that outcome.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review your estate plan after any significant life change — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a named executor or beneficiary, or a substantial change in assets. Even without a major life event, a review every three to five years is reasonable practice.
Can I name anyone I want as my healthcare proxy?
Under New York law, you can name any adult you trust — a spouse, an adult child, a sibling, or a close friend. The person does not need to be a family member. The key is that they understand your wishes and are willing and able to advocate for them under pressure.
Is estate planning only for older adults or people with significant assets?
No. Anyone with dependents, real property, a bank account, or a preference about their own medical care has a reason to have these documents in place. Age and wealth are not the relevant thresholds — having people and things you care about is.
Why Estate Planning Belongs on Your List Now
Why Estate Planning Matters
Most people who delay estate planning are not opposed to it — they simply have not found the right moment to start. But the cost of waiting is real. Without a will, New York's intestacy laws determine who inherits your assets, and those rules may not reflect your intentions. Without a power of attorney or healthcare proxy, the people closest to you may be left without legal authority to act on your behalf during a medical or financial emergency.
An estate plan does not need to be complicated to be effective. For most individuals and families, a straightforward set of documents — a will, a power of attorney, and a healthcare proxy — provides a meaningful level of protection and clarity. We help you identify what you need, explain the options, and get the documents in place without unnecessary complexity.
Talk to an Attorney Who Will Give You a Straight Answer
Estate planning is not complicated when someone takes the time to explain it clearly. We work with clients across Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties who want an honest assessment of what they need — and a straightforward path to getting it done.