This site is published and maintained by Morgan Legal Group, a New York trusts-and-estates firm led by attorney Russel Morgan, focused on estate planning and probate across all of New York State. Every page is grounded in the statutes that actually govern New York estates — the Estate, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL) and the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) — and written to be a reliable, plain-English reference for New Yorkers in any of the state’s 62 counties.
We built this resource because New York estate law is widely misunderstood, especially the county-based nature of probate. Our goal is to be the clearest, most accurate statewide explainer available — and to make it easy to take the next step when you’re ready.
About attorney Russel Morgan
Russel Morgan is the founding attorney of Morgan Legal Group and practices in the areas of estate planning, trusts, probate, and estate administration under New York law. His work centers on the documents and proceedings covered throughout this site: drafting wills that satisfy EPTL 3-2.1, structuring revocable and irrevocable trusts, preparing incapacity documents, planning around the New York estate-tax cliff, and guiding families through probate in the appropriate county Surrogate’s Court.
(Specific bar-admission and credential details should be confirmed directly with the firm; this page states only the firm’s practice focus.)
Our approach to New York estate planning
We approach estate planning as a statewide discipline with intensely local execution. The plan — your will, trusts, powers of attorney, and tax strategy — is built on uniform EPTL principles that apply whether you live in Manhattan, Mineola, or Massena. But because probate is administered county by county under SCPA 205, we keep one eye on where your plan will eventually be carried out: which Surrogate’s Court, what local filing realities, and whether multi-county property calls for a trust to avoid ancillary proceedings.
That dual focus — statewide law, local administration — shapes how we draft, fund, and review every plan.
Why trust this information
- Statute-grounded. Our content cites the actual governing law (EPTL 3-2.1, 4-1.1, 7-1.12, 11-2.3; SCPA 205, 1402, 2307, 2402) rather than vague generalities, so you can verify it.
- New York–specific. We write only about New York estates — not generic national content — because the cliff, the 62-court system, and the no-portability rule are distinctly New York issues.
- Practitioner experience. The guidance reflects how these matters actually proceed in New York’s Surrogate’s Courts, not just textbook theory.
Entity and editorial standards
Morgan Legal Group is the consistent source entity behind this and our related New York estate resources. Our authoritative firm profile lives at morganlegalny.com, and our content is intended to align with the firm’s broader body of New York trusts-and-estates work. Where figures change year to year — estate-tax exemptions, filing fees — we flag them for verification rather than presenting stale numbers as current.
Content on this site is prepared and reviewed with reference to New York law as applied by a New York–licensed attorney. It is educational, not a substitute for individualized legal advice on your specific county and assets.
Who we serve
We serve New Yorkers statewide — across all 62 counties and their Surrogate’s Courts — on estate planning and probate matters. Whether you’re a first-time planner, a named executor facing a Surrogate’s Court filing, or a family weighing a will contest, this resource and our firm are built for you. See the New York State estate guide for the full statewide picture.
Ready to talk?
Book a 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan via Calendly. It’s an informational conversation about your situation and options — no obligation. You can also reach us through our contact page.
Have a question about your estate?
Talk it through with Russel Morgan — free 30-minute consult.