Estate Planning
Estate Planning Attorney for Families in Queens, NY and Oakland, CA
Your Family Deserves Clear Answers If Something Happens To You.
Estate planning is not a service for the wealthy. It is a decision every parent, immigrant, renter, and working adult should make before they need to — and most families can complete the process in one or two conversations. We help individuals and families across Queens, Oakland, and Culver City build estate plans that protect the people they love and keep their assets out of probate court, with bilingual service in English and Spanish and fixed-fee pricing on most plans.
If you have a bank account, children, a car, a retirement fund, or any property in any state, you have something worth protecting. The question is whether you've made the decisions that put you in control of what happens to it.
Without a Plan, the State Takes Over
if you have minor children — who raises them. That process is called probate, and it is slow, public, and expensive.
In Queens, probate can take 12 to 18 months. In California, statutory probate fees on a $500,000 estate can exceed $13,000 — fees set by state law, not by the complexity of the case. Those costs and delays fall on the family members you leave behind.
An estate plan removes that burden before it starts. It names your beneficiaries, designates who makes medical and financial decisions if you're incapacitated, and keeps your estate out of court — on your terms, not the state's.
Estate Planning Services for
New York and California Families
Wills
A last will and testament directs where your assets go and, for parents, names a guardian for your minor children. Without one, the state decides — and the state doesn't know your family. Learn more about [wills] and what New York and California each require.
Trusts
A revocable living trust transfers your assets directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate court. For families with property in multiple states — or those who want to keep their affairs private — a trust often makes more sense than a will alone. Learn more about [trusts] and when they're the right choice.
Powers of Attorney
A durable power of attorney authorizes someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to petition a court for that authority — a process that costs time and money your situation may not allow. Learn more about [powers of attorney].
Healthcare Proxy
A healthcare proxy designates who makes medical decisions on your behalf if you can't make them yourself. It works alongside a living will to ensure your doctors and your family know your wishes before a crisis forces the decision. Learn more about [healthcare proxy] planning.
Probate Avoidance
Probate avoidance is the goal behind most estate plans we build. Through trusts, beneficiary designations, and proper titling of assets, we help families keep their estates out of court entirely. Learn more about [probate avoidance] strategies for New York and California.
Estate Planning for Immigrants and First-Generation Families
Many of our clients are first-generation Americans or immigrants building lives in New York and California. For these families, estate planning carries additional considerations: assets or family members in other countries, non-citizen spouses, children who are U.S. citizens while parents are not, and the reality that navigating the legal system is already unfamiliar territory.
We understand those dynamics because they're part of our story. Our firm was built specifically to serve these communities — in English and Spanish, with the kind of plain-language guidance that makes the process feel manageable rather than intimidating. If your situation crosses borders or involves family members with different immigration statuses, we know how to plan around it.
Testimonials
How We Work
Most estate plans come together in two stages. The first conversation covers your family situation, your assets, and your goals. We explain your options in plain language and recommend a plan structure that fits. The second appointment is for signing — properly witnessed and notarized, legally valid in New York and California.
Fixed-fee pricing applies to most estate plans we handle. Before any work begins, you'll know exactly what the service costs.
- Initial consultation to assess your family's needs and goals
- Custom plan recommendation — will, trust, or both — based on your situation
- Drafting of all documents: will, trust, powers of attorney, healthcare proxy
- Signing appointment with proper witnessing and notarization
- Post-signing guidance on funding your trust and updating beneficiary designations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an estate plan if I don't own a home?
Yes. Homeownership is one asset class — but bank accounts, retirement funds, vehicles, personal property, and life insurance all pass to someone when you die. Without a will or trust, that transfer goes through a court process that takes time and costs money. If you have children, the stakes are higher: a will is how you name a guardian. Renters and non-homeowners need estate plans just as much as property owners.
How do I protect my family if something happens to me?
A complete estate plan covers three things: where your assets go, who makes decisions if you're incapacitated, and — for parents — who raises your children. That means a will or trust for asset distribution, a durable power of attorney for financial decisions, and a healthcare proxy for medical decisions. Together, these documents give your family clear instructions and legal authority, so they're not left making difficult decisions without guidance in an already difficult moment.
Do you offer bilingual estate planning services near me in Queens, NY?
Yes. Our Springfield Gardens office serves clients throughout Queens and the NYC metro area, with bilingual estate planning services in English and Spanish. We also serve clients in Oakland and Culver City, and offer virtual consultations for clients across New York and California who prefer to meet remotely.
How long does it take to complete an estate plan?
For most families, the process takes two appointments — one to review your situation and goals, and one to sign the completed documents. From first consultation to signed plan, most clients are done within a few weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeline at the first meeting based on your specific documents and circumstances.
Contact Us Today
Jet Legal Services provides estate planning counsel to individuals and families across Queens, New York and Oakland and Culver City, California. Lloyd Arnold, Esq. is licensed in New York and California and brings a planning-first, non-litigation approach to every estate matter. The firm serves first-generation Americans, immigrant families, and working adults who want clear, affordable legal guidance — without the overhead of a large firm.
