Most estate-planning websites still describe wills the way law schools did in 1975: passive voice, Latin phrases, and paragraphs that make readers feel as though they need a second attorney to translate the first one.
Morgan Legal Group built Modern Will Drafting on a different premise. New York’s will law is detailed, but it is not mysterious — and every New York family, from a single parent in the Bronx to a retiree in the Hudson Valley, deserves a will they can actually read and understand. Attorney Russel Morgan, Esq. leads our estate-planning practice with that conviction at its center.
Who We Are
Morgan Legal Group is a New York estate-planning firm serving clients across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York. Our statewide reach means whether you are in Manhattan or Buffalo, the same current law applies to your will — and the same plain-language approach guides how we write it.
We focus exclusively on New York law. We do not stretch to claim expertise in every state; instead, we go deep into the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL) so you receive advice grounded in current 2026 rules, not outdated templates.
What “Modern” Actually Means for Your Will
“Modern” is not a marketing word here. It describes three things:
| What we mean | What it looks like for you |
|---|---|
| Current law | We apply 2026 EPTL rules — including the spousal right of election under EPTL §5-1.1-A — not outdated boilerplate. |
| Plain language | Every clause is written so you, your executor, and the Surrogate’s Court can read it without a dictionary. |
| Correct execution | We walk you through EPTL §3-2.1 — two witnesses, publication, end-of-will signature — so your will holds up when it matters. |
The Core Rules We Work Within — and Teach You
New York’s will statute, EPTL §3-2.1, is the foundation of everything we do. In plain terms:
- You must sign at the end of your will (or direct someone to sign for you, in your presence).
- You must declare to your witnesses that the document is your will — this is called “publication.”
- At least two witnesses must sign, adding their residence addresses, within a single 30-day period.
- Your will takes effect only at your death and must be admitted to probate in Surrogate’s Court.
If you die without a will, EPTL Article 4 controls who receives your property — a distribution formula written for the average family, not yours. See our intestacy page to understand what that means in practice.
A quick note we raise with every client: a living will is a health-care document, not a property will. They serve different purposes and require separate planning.
Start With a 30-Minute Conversation
Our approach starts with listening. We learn what you own, who you want to protect, and what concerns you — then we draft a will that reflects those answers clearly and legally.
Ready to get started? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan, Esq. — no pressure, no jargon.
Explore our services: Will Drafting Overview · NY Will Requirements · Will Execution · Codicils & Amendments
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: why estate planning is so important.