If you have never set up a trust before, you are not alone — and you do not need to arrive with answers. Your first conversation with Russel Morgan, Esq. is about asking the right questions together.
What We Cover in 30 Minutes
Every estate is different, but first-timers almost always need clarity on the same core essentials:
| Your Question | The Plain-English Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I even need a trust? | Depends on your estate size, privacy goals, and whether you have a loved one with special needs |
| What type of trust fits me? | Revocable living trust for probate avoidance; irrevocable trust for tax or Medicaid protection |
| Does a trust replace my will? | No — see Trust vs. Will for why most plans use both |
| Who should be my trustee? | Anyone you appoint owes fiduciary duties under EPTL Article 11-A — we walk you through that |
| What about my child with a disability? | A Supplemental Needs Trust under EPTL 7-1.12 protects Medicaid and SSI without disqualifying benefits |
Why Timing Matters in 2026
New York’s estate-tax basic exclusion is $7,350,000 this year, with a hard cliff at $7,717,500 — estates just over the cliff lose the entire exemption. If your estate is anywhere near that range, an irrevocable trust conversation cannot wait.
A revocable living trust does not reduce estate taxes, but it does keep your affairs out of Surrogate’s Court and out of the public record — a priority many first-timers do not realize until it is too late.
Morgan Legal Group Serves All of New York
We work with families across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York. All consultations are available remotely or in person.
Book Your Free 30-Minute Consultation →
No jargon. No pressure. Just the essentials you need to move forward.
For a broader overview of how trusts work under New York law, visit our Trusts Overview and Trust Administration pages.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: how an irrevocable trust works.