Complimentary Call
A brief conversation about your situation and goals. We'll recommend a planning approach and share our flat fee, or estimate of costs, before you commit.
Estate planning · New York
Life is better when you are prepared.
Helping New York families, couples and individuals put a plan in place for those they care about most.
We work with New York residents and persons with New York property or assets.
Who we are
We are a boutique estate planning firm located in Downtown Manhattan, offering individualized attention to clients at all stages of life.
We offer straightforward pricing and a clear process to a completed plan.
Who we are
More than a decade ago, this practice was founded in the belief that estate planning should be an accessible and straightforward process. As parents ourselves, we know what is on the mind of families who approach us. Estate planning is all we do.
What we do
Our practice centers around the essential planning documents: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, guardianship and child care authorizations. We also offer irrevocable trust options for advanced tax and gift planning.
Who we help
Our clients include New York families, couples, individuals, and college-bound young adults. We assist those approaching planning for the first time as well as those in need of updates. The majority of our clients live in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Westchester County.
How we help
We guide you step by step towards the goal of executed planning, from our initial conversation to the day of your signing ceremony. We remain available to clients to assist with post-execution matters such as trusts funding, beneficiary designations and estate tax questions.
Flat-fee approach
You know the cost up front, so you can ask questions without watching the clock.
Experienced New York attorneys
Our singular focus is planning for New York City and area clients. We know that our clients have busy lives and look to us to guide them beyond the legalese, to what really matters.
Virtual planning meetings
Most meetings are by video conference, easily scheduled online. For documents requiring attorney-supervised signings, we welcome clients to our Wall Street location. We keep your signing ceremony efficient and pleasant.
Personal guidance, start to signing
Our small size means personalized attention, from the first call to your signing.
Your first call
You don't need to have everything figured out before calling us.
A short, no-pressure complimentary conversation to get to know your planning needs and explore how we may be able to help. Come as you are; we'll take it from there.
- Complimentary
- Approximately 15 minutes
- An opportunity to briefly discuss what the client is looking for and learn how we may be able to help
- No preparation required
- We can explain a potential planning approach and the applicable flat-rate fee following the initial consultation
When to plan
When should I think about my estate plan?
Select a life event to see why it's a good time to plan.
Getting married
Providing for your chosen life partner, and making sure he or she is named in important roles such as agent on a power of attorney or your health care proxy.
Having a child
Your will, along with a standby guardian designation, lets you choose who would raise your children. It also lets you leave assets in trust, so a child doesn't receive everything outright at 18.
Buying a home
A home could be one of your most valuable assets. Planning ensures it passes the way you intend, and that your family isn't left with a court process to sort it out.
Divorce or remarriage
Old documents may still name a former spouse or no longer reflect your family. Updating your will, beneficiaries, and agents keeps your plan in step with your life, especially in a blended family.
Receiving an inheritance
An inheritance can change the size and shape of your estate, sometimes enough to raise New York estate tax questions. It's a good moment to review your plan and protect what was left to you.
Children turning 18
At 18, your child is a legal adult, and you no longer have legal medical or financial decision making authority. A health care proxy and comprehensive power of attorney let you step in if they need help
A child leaving for college
Before they go, a health care proxy lets you make medical decisions if they can't, and a power of attorney lets you handle their finances and paperwork while they're away. Our Young Adult Estate Planning covers both for a modest flat fee.
Major changes in assets
A new business, purchase of a home, a raise, a sale, or growing savings can change what your plan needs to do. A review ensures your plan keeps pace and avoids unnecessary taxes.
Losing a parent or someone in your plan
If a guardian, executor, agent, or beneficiary has died or is no longer the right choice, your plan has a gap. Updating it now saves your family uncertainty later.
Our process
The Process
Through our step-by-step process, we will work together to create an estate plan that is both personalized and comprehensive.
Questionnaire
Following your complimentary initial consultation, you will receive a comprehensive questionnaire to assist us in gathering and organizing preliminary information.
Planning Meeting
We meet, typically by video conference, to discuss your family details, assets, and end of life wishes, and to identify your estate planning goals.
Draft & Review
Your attorney will then draft your preliminary estate planning documents. You and your attorney will review the documents together to ensure that they meet your goals and wishes.
Sign
Once approved, a date will be set for a will execution ceremony.
Ongoing Support
The firm remains available and in touch with clients in order to answer any future questions and assist with modifications or updates to existing documents as needed.
Meet the attorneys
Meet the Attorneys
Victoria Raikes
Founding Partner
Victoria brings over 25 years of experience to her planning conversations with clients. A graduate of NYU Law School '99, she started her career as a commercial litigator with firms including Paul Weiss and Greenberg Traurig, before spending a few years growing her family and teaching. She founded Kirkham Raikes PLLC in 2016 to serve the need for professional, high-level planning offered at reasonable rates for families and individuals.
Betsy Mead
Senior Associate
Betsy is a former journalist turned attorney with a strong background in corporate and business law. She hails from the United Kingdom, and is raising two young children with her husband.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does estate planning cost?
Most of our work is offered at a flat fee, quoted during your complimentary call, so there are no surprises. Some updates or specialized work is done at an hourly rate. An engagement letter to clarify the scope of work and rate is standard practice.
Do I need a trust or just a will?
Some clients select a will-based plan, along with a power of attorney, health care proxy and other essential documents. Your will likely will contain testamentary trust planning for minor children or for tax planning purposes. A standalone revocable trust can make sense if you want to avoid probate of the will, own property in another state, have young children, or want more control over how assets are distributed. We’ll help you decide what fits your situation. Many clients start with simple wills and return to us for trusts when their assets become more complex.
What happens if I die without a will in New York?
New York law decides who inherits. If you have a spouse and children, your spouse receives the first $50,000 and half of the rest, and your children share the remainder. A court appoints someone to manage your estate, and if minor children lose both parents, a court chooses their guardian. A will lets you make these decisions yourself.
Can we meet virtually?
Yes. Most of our meetings take place by video, so you can plan from home anywhere in New York.
Do I have to come to Manhattan to sign?
It depends. New York currently requires wills to be signed in person with two witnesses, which we can arrange. Most new clients sign at our Wall Street office. For irrevocable trusts, updates and amendments to certain existing documents, we can provide instructions for independent execution.
What is Probate exactly, and how do I avoid it?
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a deceased person’s Will and authorizing an executor to administer their estate. In New York, probate can be time-consuming, expensive, and burdensome for loved ones, with court proceedings that become part of the public record. Fortunately, a properly funded revocable living trust can allow assets to pass to your beneficiaries without probate, saving time, reducing costs, and preserving privacy. Other strategies, including beneficiary designations, transfer-on-death accounts, and certain forms of joint ownership, can also help assets pass directly to loved ones without court involvement. With thoughtful estate planning, it is often possible to minimize or avoid probate entirely
Get Started
Start Planning Today.
Now is the time to begin planning the future of your estate. Contact us to get started.