New York estate planning
Make a will, living trust & powers of attorney in New York
New York sets its own rules for who can make a will, how it must be signed and witnessed, whether it needs a notary, and how estates are taxed. Estateur drafts your New York will, revocable living trust, and powers of attorney through a guided interview, then validates every document against New York law before you ever see it. It is a self-help document-preparation service, not a law firm.
New York estate planning at a glance
| Will witnesses required | two witnesses |
|---|---|
| Will must be notarized | No (self-proving affidavit optional) |
| Self-proving affidavit | Available (recommended) |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Not recognized |
| Electronic wills | Not permitted |
| State estate tax | Yes — 2025 exemption $7.16 million |
| State inheritance tax | None |
| Community property | No (separate / common-law property) |
General information, not legal advice. Figures such as tax exemptions change; confirm current requirements with the New York courts or department of revenue.
How to make a valid will in New York
A New York will must be in writing and signed by you in front of two witnesses. Notarization is not required for the will to be valid, but a self-proving affidavit — which is notarized — makes probate easier by removing the need for your witnesses to testify later. New York does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills — the witness requirement applies regardless.
Spousal protection. Greater of $50,000 or 1/3 of net estate (EPTL § 5-1.1-A). A will can't fully disinherit a surviving spouse in most states — Estateur's interview flags this for you.
Living trusts & avoiding probate in New York
A will still has to pass through New York probate — a public, court-supervised process — before your assets reach your heirs. A revocable living trust holds your assets during life and transfers them at death without probate, which is usually faster and stays private. A trust is not right for everyone; it depends on whether you own real estate, the size and complexity of your estate, and your goals.
Estateur's free quiz recommends whether a will-based or trust-based plan fits your New York situation, and every trust-based plan includes a pour-over will as a companion document.
Powers of attorney & healthcare directives in New York
A financial power of attorney in New York must be notarized and signed before two witnesses. (GOL § 5-1501B)
A New York healthcare directive must be signed before two qualified witnesses. (Public Health Law § 2981)
A complete plan also includes a HIPAA authorization so your healthcare agent can actually get your medical information. Estateur builds each of these to New York's signing rules and includes execution instructions.
New York estate & inheritance tax
New York levies a state estate tax with a 2025 exemption of $7.16 million — well below the federal exemption, so an estate can owe New York tax while owing no federal tax. New York has no separate inheritance tax.
Estate-tax exemption amounts are 2025 figures and change annually. Confirm current thresholds with the New York department of revenue.
New York statutes referenced
- EPTL § 3-2.1
- GOL § 5-1501B
- Public Health Law § 2981
New York estate planning: common questions
- Is an online will legal in New York?
- Yes. New York does not care who typed your will — it cares that the will meets New York's execution rules. A will is valid in New York when it is in writing, signed by you, and witnessed by two people (EPTL § 3-2.1). Estateur builds each New York will to those rules and includes step-by-step signing instructions, so an online will you sign correctly is just as valid as one prepared any other way.
- How many witnesses does a will need in New York?
- New York requires two witnesses to sign your will. Adding a notarized self-proving affidavit is optional but recommended — it lets the will be admitted to probate without tracking down your witnesses. New York does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills.
- Do I need a lawyer to make a will in New York?
- No. New York law does not require a lawyer to make a valid will — you can prepare and sign your own. Estateur is a self-help document-preparation service (not a law firm, and no attorney personally reviews each plan) that drafts your New York documents against the state's verified rules and validates them before you see them. For complex situations — large or taxable estates, blended families, special-needs beneficiaries, or business succession — consulting a licensed New York attorney is wise.
- Does New York have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
- New York levies a state estate tax with a 2025 exemption of $7.16 million — well below the federal exemption, so an estate can owe New York tax while owing no federal tax. New York has no separate inheritance tax.
- How much does an online will cost in New York?
- Estateur uses flat, one-time pricing that is the same in New York as in every other state: a single Last Will & Testament is $79, or the full Will Plan (seven documents) is $99, with no subscription required.
Create your New York estate plan
Take the free 2-minute quiz for a personalized recommendation, or go straight to the plan you need — built for New York, at a flat one-time price.
Estateur is a self-help document preparation service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page reflects New York law in general terms and may change.
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