Top general estate planning guidance financial advisors in New York
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
You need an estate planning advisor when you're organizing your assets to pass on smoothly and want to avoid unexpected taxes or legal hurdles. A common mistake is underestimating how estate tax cliffs can trigger large tax bills just above exemption limits.
- Tax cliff awareness. Confirm the advisor understands New York's estate tax thresholds and plans to keep your estate below costly tax cliffs.
- Will and trust integration. Ask how they coordinate wills and trusts to ensure your wishes are clear and legally effective.
- Asset protection strategies. Look for guidance on shielding assets from creditors or unintended heirs without complicating your estate.
- Probate navigation. Check how they help minimize probate delays and expenses, making the transfer of your estate smoother for your beneficiaries.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Scott M
Series 63, Series 65
New York, NY
Morgan Stanley
Scott Mahoney specializes in general estate planning guidance in New York, leveraging 34 years of industry experience and credentials including Series 63 and Series 65. As part of Morgan Stanley, a large firm offering extensive advisory programs and structured planning tools, he provides comprehensive support for estate tax planning, will and trust coordination, and probate navigation, distinguishing him from advisors at smaller firms or with less extensive resources.
Experience: 34 years
Avg account: $670,481
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Jacob G
Series 63
Amherst, NY
Mass Mutual Investors Services
Jacob Glofka's 31 years of experience and focus on general estate planning guidance make him well-equipped to help clients navigate New York's estate tax thresholds and coordinate wills and trusts effectively. Affiliated with MassMutual Investors Services, a large firm offering comprehensive financial planning and asset management, he brings seasoned expertise and a collaborative approach that may appeal to clients seeking structured, goal-oriented estate planning support.
Experience: 32 years
Avg account: $249,379
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Edward B
Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
Garden City, NY
Merrill
Edward Blatz offers expertise in general estate planning guidance with over 40 years of experience at Merrill Lynch, a large firm known for comprehensive wealth management. He collaborates closely with tax advisors and estate attorneys to address New York's estate tax thresholds and integrates wills and trusts effectively. His focus on high net-worth families and business owners, combined with a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies under $2 million, distinguishes him from other advisors in the area.
Experience: 41 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Kristopher S
CFP®, Series 66
Staten Island, NY
Edward Jones
Kristopher Sykes specializes in general estate planning guidance, with expertise in business succession and retirement plans for business owners, making him well-suited for clients organizing asset transfers in New York. As a CFP® at Edward Jones, a large firm with over $1 trillion in assets, he offers a comprehensive wealth management approach and charges up to 1.35% annually, providing a blend of personal business experience and institutional resources.
Experience: 9 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Janet D
Series 63, Series 65
Woodbury, NY
Vanderbilt Advisory Services
Janet Doherty's 30 years of experience and expertise in general estate planning guidance make her well-equipped to help clients in New York navigate estate tax cliffs and coordinate wills and trusts effectively. Operating from Vanderbilt Advisory Services, she offers flat-fee planning and independent advice, serving a diverse clientele including trusts and estates, which distinguishes her from advisors focused solely on individual wealth management.
Experience: 31 years
Avg account: $327,118
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