Estate Planning Lawyer Buffalo

An estate plan helps you protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and reduce uncertainty about the future. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys assist individuals and families in Buffalo with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and all aspects of New York estate planning. From the firm’s Buffalo location, the team works with clients across Erie County, offering practical guidance through the entire process – from initial consultation to the execution of documents. Whether you need a simple will, a revocable living trust, or a more comprehensive strategy that addresses tax considerations and long‑term care planning, you can reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. by phone at (888) 437‑7747 to request a consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

What Estate Planning Means in Buffalo

Estate planning in Buffalo involves drafting legal documents that direct how your property will be managed during your lifetime and distributed after your death. For Erie County residents, the process often centers on the Surrogate’s Court, located in downtown Buffalo, where probate and administration proceedings are filed. New York law – primarily the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (EPTL) and the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act (SCPA) – governs the creation and enforcement of wills, trusts, and advance directives. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are familiar with the procedural expectations of the Erie County Surrogate’s Court and the local judicial customs that can affect how an estate is administered.

Many Buffalo families own real property – a home in the Elmwood Village, a cottage along Lake Erie, or a family business in Cheektowaga – and the transfer of these assets through an estate plan requires careful attention to New York’s formal execution requirements. For example, a will must be in writing, signed, and witnessed by at least two persons under the EPTL; trusts must be funded properly. The firm’s attorneys work to ensure these statutory formalities are met so that the documents will be honored when they are needed. Because every family’s circumstances are different, the plans are built around each client’s goals – whether that means minimizing exposure to state and federal estate taxes, providing for a child with special needs, or simply making the administration as straightforward as possible for the next generation.

How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Estate Planning Cases

The firm takes a person‑to‑person approach to estate planning. When you contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., you will speak with a legal professional who will listen to your objectives, ask about your family structure, your assets, and any concerns you have about incapacity or long‑term care. From there, the attorney will explain which documents are likely to be appropriate – a last will and testament, a revocable living trust, an irrevocable trust, a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy, a living will, or some combination – and will outline the steps New York law requires to bring those documents into effect.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys collaborate with Mr. Sris to ensure that every plan is drafted clearly and that clients understand the practical consequences of the choices they make. The team also coordinates with financial advisors, accountants, and care managers when a client’s situation calls for it, but the legal work – drafting, reviewing, and executing the instruments – remains under the firm’s direct supervision. After the documents are signed, the firm stays available to answer questions as life circumstances change; the plan is not meant to be filed away and forgotten, but rather to be updated when a marriage, divorce, birth, or significant financial event occurs.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background includes service as a former prosecutor, and he testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). Over more than twenty‑five years, he has guided clients through legal matters that require careful planning and attention to statutory detail – traits that translate directly into the estate planning arena.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive collective experience to the table. While every matter is staffed according to the client’s needs, the entire team is available to contribute its knowledge of New York surrogate practice, trust administration, and elder‑law concepts. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel work together to deliver an estate plan that is legally sound and aligned with the client’s personal values.

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

Last reviewed: July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer for estate planning in Buffalo, or can I use a DIY service?

While New York law does not require you to hire an attorney, using a DIY service can leave your estate plan vulnerable to mistakes that are not discovered until after you pass away. A lawyer helps ensure the documents comply with the EPTL execution formalities, that beneficiary designations are coordinated, and that the plan reflects your actual wishes. The cost of correcting a defective will or trust usually exceeds the cost of getting it right the first time. For guidance on your specific circumstances, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.

What is the difference between a will and a trust in New York?

A will directs how your assets are distributed after your death and goes through probate in Surrogate’s Court, while a trust can hold assets during your lifetime and often avoids probate for those assets. A trust takes effect immediately if it is funded, and the trustee manages the property according to the trust terms. A will, on the other hand, has no legal effect until death and must be admitted to probate. Many Buffalo residents use a revocable living trust as part of a broader plan to keep their family’s affairs private and to simplify the transition of assets without court involvement. Contact the firm to discuss which tool fits your situation.

What advance directives should I include in my Buffalo estate plan?

Every adult should have a durable power of attorney, a health care proxy, and, in many cases, a living will. The power of attorney names someone to handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated; the health care proxy designates a person to make medical decisions on your behalf. A living will expresses your wishes about life‑sustaining treatment. In New York, these documents can spare your family the expense and emotional burden of a guardianship proceeding under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law. For a consultation about the right documents for you, reach the firm’s Buffalo location at (888) 437‑7747.

How is a trust funded, and what happens if I don’t fund it?

Funding a trust means retitling assets – such as bank accounts, real estate, and investment accounts – into the name of the trust. If the trust is not funded, the assets remain in your individual name and may still go through probate. The firm’s attorneys prepare the trust instrument and then guide clients through the funding process, coordinating with financial institutions as necessary. Even a well‑drafted trust will not achieve its goals if the assets are not properly transferred.

Can I change my estate plan after it is signed?

Yes. A will can be revoked or amended by a codicil, and a revocable trust can be modified or restated at any time while you have capacity. Major life events – marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a significant change in assets, or a move to another state – often prompt a review. The firm recommends periodic check‑ins to confirm that beneficiary designations are current and that the plan still meets your goals. To discuss whether your existing plan needs an update, contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437‑7747.

Does my Buffalo estate plan need to address Medicaid or long‑term care?

If you may need nursing home care in the future, it is important to consider New York’s Medicaid eligibility rules as part of your estate plan. Certain transfers of assets can affect your ability to qualify for coverage, and an irrevocable trust designed in compliance with the regulations may help protect resources. The firm’s attorneys are familiar with how estate planning intersects with elder law and can explain the options. However, because the rules are complex and subject to change, it is important to obtain advice specific to your financial picture. Reach Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys at (888) 437‑7747 to discuss your long‑term care goals.

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