Best Estate planning lawyers in New York, NY (2026)

How we ranked: We evaluated candidates using four weighted criteria to produce our 2026 editorial rankings. Practice focus and specialization in estate planning matters (35%) formed the primary consideration, followed by online reputation signals including peer recognition and client feedback (30%). We also weighted accessibility and client service orientation (20%), emphasizing firms that advertise consultations and client-centered approaches. Finally, we considered breadth of services (15%), favoring attorneys who address adjacent areas like probate, elder law, and international estates to serve diverse client needs.

1. Davidov Law Group

Our top editorial selection for 2026, Davidov Law Group presents as a distinguished estate planning practice with recent industry recognition that stood out during our review. The firm received the 2022 Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Award and secured Lawyers of Distinction membership in 2023 for excellence in estate planning. Attorney Ilana Davidov appears to lead the practice with a focus on estate planning law. These peer recognition signals factored heavily in our ranking methodology, suggesting the firm maintains strong standing within the New York legal community. The Long Island award combined with broader distinction recognition indicated to us a practice that serves clients both in the outer boroughs and the greater metropolitan area, offering geographic reach that benefits clients with assets across multiple locations.

2. Amoruso Law

Amoruso Law secured our second position based on the dual expertise demonstrated by attorneys Michael Amoruso and Sreelekha Chakrabarty Amoruso. The firm advertises wide-ranging capabilities in both estate planning matters and elder law matters, a combination we found particularly valuable for clients facing interconnected legal needs as they age. Michael Amoruso is described as renowned in these practice areas, suggesting established credibility within the New York legal market. This dual focus appeared significant to our editorial team because estate planning often intersects with elder law concerns including Medicaid planning, long-term care arrangements, and guardianship issues. The husband-and-wife team structure presents as a boutique model that may offer continuity and personalized attention across the full spectrum of later-life legal planning.

3. Jules M. Haas Attorney

We selected Jules M. Haas as our third-ranked practice, impressed by the combination of longevity and accessibility. The Manhattan-based attorney advertises over 30 years of experience providing legal services in real estate and related matters, suggesting deep familiarity with New York property and estate issues. The practice prominently offers free consultations, which in our assessment signals a client-friendly approach that lowers barriers for individuals exploring estate planning options. The Central Manhattan location serves clients throughout the city, and the explicit mention of probate services alongside estate planning indicates the firm handles both proactive planning and post-death administration. This full-spectrum capability earned significant weight in our breadth-of-services criterion, as clients often need a single trusted advisor who can handle matters from initial will drafting through eventual estate settlement.

4. Katzner Law Group

Katzner Law Group earned our fourth position largely due to the client service orientation evident in available materials. Gabriel Katzner is described as bringing a reputation for working with passion and compassion for individuals and families who need assistance with estate planning. This characterization aligned strongly with our accessibility and client service criterion, which weighted practices that demonstrate personal commitment beyond technical legal expertise. Estate planning inherently involves sensitive family dynamics, mortality considerations, and wealth transfer anxieties, making the interpersonal dimension particularly important in our editorial judgment. The firm appears to focus specifically on estate planning rather than maintaining a general practice, which suggested to us a depth of specialization in this particular field. The New York City location positions the practice to serve Manhattan residents and those in surrounding boroughs.

5. Morgan Legal NY

We ranked Morgan Legal NY fifth, weighing the multi-office presence that extends the firm's reach across the New York metropolitan area. The practice describes itself as prominent estate planning and probate attorneys with offices in Brooklyn, Long Island, and NYC proper. This geographic distribution stood out in our assessment as particularly valuable for clients with property or family members spread across different boroughs and suburban areas. The explicit identification as both estate planning and probate attorneys indicated to us a practice prepared to handle matters through all phases, from initial planning documents through court proceedings after death. The prominence claim, while self-asserted, combined with the multi-location infrastructure suggested an established practice with sufficient client base to maintain multiple offices, which factored into our online reputation assessment even absent specific client review data in the search results.

6. McLaughlin & Stern

McLaughlin & Stern earned our sixth ranking based primarily on the exceptional depth of attorney experience detailed in available materials. The firm advertises thirty full-time trust and estate partners and counsel with an average of over thirty-five years of experience in the field, accompanied by additional supporting attorneys. This bench strength represents a significant resource concentration that few practices can match, suggesting capabilities for handling complex, high-value estates requiring specialized expertise. The emphasis on trusts and estates as a dedicated practice group within what appears to be a larger firm structure indicated to us a serious institutional commitment to this area rather than an incidental service line. The substantial team size also suggests capacity to handle multiple sophisticated matters simultaneously, which benefits clients with time-sensitive needs or intricate multi-generational planning requirements.

7. Mishiyeva Law, PLLC

We selected Mishiyeva Law, PLLC for seventh position, particularly valuing the international estate specialization highlighted in available information. The firm advertises assistance with estate, probate, and administration matters, representing beneficiaries, administrators, heirs, executors, and grantors across various roles in the estate process. The specific mention of international estate matters distinguished this practice in our evaluation, as New York City's diverse population increasingly requires attorneys who understand cross-border asset issues, foreign property holdings, and multi-jurisdictional tax implications. This specialization addresses a growing need in the metropolitan area where clients frequently maintain connections to other countries. The representation of parties in multiple positions (both fiduciaries and beneficiaries) also suggested to us a practice with perspective on estate matters from various vantage points, potentially offering more strategic advice.

8. Pierro Law

Pierro Law secured our eighth ranking with strong geographic coverage serving clients across all five New York City boroughs plus Westchester County. The Madison Avenue office location places the firm in a prestigious Manhattan business district, while the explicit service territory extending to Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Westchester indicated to us a practice that maintains broad accessibility despite the premium location. This combination suggested a firm balancing professional positioning with practical reach to diverse client populations throughout the greater metropolitan area. The team structure referenced in available materials implied multiple attorneys rather than a solo practice, offering potential redundancy and diverse perspectives on client matters. Estate planning benefits from this multi-attorney model when clients need second opinions on strategy or face situations where their primary attorney is unavailable during time-sensitive matters.

9. Inna Fershteyn, Esq.

We ranked Inna Fershteyn, Esq. ninth, impressed by the substantial 28-year track record serving New York City clients. The practice emphasizes creating estate plans that protect family assets, a client-outcome framing that resonated with our client service orientation criterion. The longevity factor carried significant weight in our methodology, as nearly three decades of practice suggests sustained client relationships, deep familiarity with New York estate law evolution, and proven ability to adapt to changing regulations and client needs. The Brooklyn base positions the firm to serve one of New York's largest boroughs, an area with diverse socioeconomic communities requiring estate planning services across various asset levels. The specific focus on family asset protection indicated to us a practice philosophy centered on wealth preservation and intergenerational transfer rather than purely technical document preparation.

10. Day Pitney

Rounding out our top ten, Day Pitney earned recognition for specialization in high net worth clientele and cross-border matters. The firm is described as well known for advising high net worth individuals and families on domestic and cross-border private wealth law matters, a characterization drawn from Chambers rankings. This specialization in sophisticated wealth management distinguished Day Pitney in our assessment as a resource for clients with complex estates involving substantial assets, multiple jurisdictions, and intricate tax planning requirements. While the larger firm structure may not suit every client seeking personalized attention, the institutional resources and apparent expertise in international matters filled an important niche in our rankings. The Chambers recognition also provided third-party validation that factored into our online reputation criterion, suggesting peer respect within the private wealth legal community.

FAQ

What should I look for when choosing an estate planning lawyer in New York?

Consider the attorney's specific focus on estate planning rather than general practice, as specialization typically indicates deeper knowledge of current tax laws and planning strategies. Evaluate their experience with situations similar to yours, whether that involves modest estates, high net worth planning, international assets, or business succession. Accessibility matters significantly since you may need to revise documents as circumstances change, so consider communication style, office locations, and willingness to explain complex concepts clearly. Finally, look for attorneys who demonstrate understanding of your family dynamics and values, since effective estate planning requires translating personal wishes into legal structures.

How much does estate planning typically cost in New York City?

Estate planning costs vary widely based on complexity and attorney experience. Simple wills for individuals with straightforward estates might range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, while couples often receive package pricing. More sophisticated planning involving trusts, tax minimization strategies, business interests, or international assets typically costs significantly more, potentially reaching tens of thousands of dollars for complex estates. Many attorneys offer initial consultations at no charge or reduced rates, allowing you to discuss your situation and receive fee estimates before committing. The investment often proves worthwhile by avoiding costly probate proceedings, reducing estate taxes, and preventing family disputes that generate legal fees far exceeding proactive planning costs.

Do I need a trust or is a will sufficient for my estate plan?

This determination depends on your specific circumstances, assets, and goals. Wills work well for many people with modest estates, directing asset distribution and naming guardians for minor children, but they require probate court proceedings that are public and can take months. Trusts avoid probate, maintain privacy, and become particularly valuable if you own real property, have significant assets, want to control distribution timing to beneficiaries, or need planning for incapacity. New York residents with property in multiple states especially benefit from trusts since they avoid ancillary probate proceedings in each jurisdiction. Many attorneys recommend combining approaches, using a revocable living trust for major assets alongside a "pour-over" will capturing anything inadvertently left outside the trust.

How often should I update my estate plan?

Review your estate plan every three to five years as a baseline practice, but significant life events warrant immediate review. Marriage, divorce, births, deaths, substantial changes in asset values, business purchases or sales, relocations to different states, and changes in relationships with named fiduciaries all trigger the need for updates. Tax law changes also necessitate reviews, as federal and state estate tax exemptions fluctuate with legislation, potentially requiring strategy adjustments. New York-specific considerations include state estate tax thresholds that differ from federal levels. If your plan includes guardianship nominations for minor children, reassess whether your chosen guardians remain appropriate as children age and circumstances change. Outdated estate plans sometimes create more problems than having no plan at all, making regular reviews essential.

Editorial opinion only. Rankings reflect our independent assessment based on the criteria above, drawn from publicly available information current as of 2026-05-14. No firm paid for placement or editorial review.