Knowing you need a trust is one thing. Walking into your first meeting prepared is another. Here is a practical pre-appointment checklist so your consultation with Morgan Legal Group moves fast and produces a real plan.
Before You Book — Know Your Starting Point
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Is your estate likely above $7,350,000? | NY’s 2026 exclusion cliff at $7,717,500 wipes the entire exemption — irrevocable planning may be urgent. |
| Do you want to avoid Surrogate’s Court? | A revocable living trust sidesteps probate; a will alone does not. See Trust vs. Will. |
| Do you have a beneficiary with a disability? | A Supplemental Needs Trust under EPTL § 7-1.12 preserves Medicaid and SSI eligibility. |
| Are asset protection or Medicaid goals in play? | An irrevocable trust requires a 5-year Medicaid look-back — earlier is better. |
What to Bring
- List of assets (real property, accounts, business interests)
- Names of intended trustees and beneficiaries
- Any existing wills, powers of attorney, or prior trust documents
- Questions about trustee fiduciary duties under EPTL Article 11-A (prudent-investor standard)
After the meeting, trust administration becomes the ongoing framework that protects what you have built.
Book a 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan, Esq. — serving clients across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York.
Have a question about your estate?
Talk it through with Russel Morgan — free 30-minute consult.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: .