Law Offices of Vlad Portnoy, P.C.

09/02/2026

Myth: "Putting my home in a trust means no one can touch it." 🛑

Truth: Only the right type of trust will protect your assets.

One of the biggest mistakes we see is people creating a Revocable Trust believing it shields their home from Medicaid or lawsuits. Because you retain control over a revocable trust, courts and creditors view those assets as yours.

If asset protection or long-term care planning is your primary goal, an Irrevocable Trust is usually required—but it comes with trade-offs you need to know first.

Don't sign estate documents until you know the exact difference.

Read here: https://nywillsandestates.com/blog/revocable-vs-irrevocable-trust-mistakes/)

Questions about trusts in NY or NJ?

📞 Call (212) 920-6371

Learn key revocable vs irrevocable trust differences and the mistakes Manhattan families make when setting up an irrevocable trust for asset protection.

09/01/2026

"Can't you just write a quick letter saying I'm in charge?"

We hear this from potential clients all the time. When people go to Surrogate's Court, they are often told they need "Letters" (such as Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration). Many assume this means their attorney can simply draft a note on letterhead confirming their status.

Watch our latest video to learn how the court appointment process actually works! 🎥https://youtube.com/shorts/QAC1ZTzTUXo?feature=share

Have questions about estate administration in NY or NJ? Give us a call:
📞 (516) 271-4205
🌐 NY: www.nywillsandestates.com
NJ: www.njwillsandestates.com

08/29/2026

Thinking about setting up a trust to protect your home and life savings? 🏡💰

Before signing anything, make sure you know the difference between a Revocable Trust and an Irrevocable Trust.

Don't let a simple misunderstanding compromise your legacy. Check out our newest blog post to learn how to pick the right trust for your family’s goals.👇

Click here to read the full guide: https://nywillsandestates.com/blog/revocable-vs-irrevocable-trust-mistakes/

Have questions about setting up a trust in New York or New Jersey? We’re here to help!

📞 Call us today: (212) 920-6371
🌐 NY Clients: www.nywillsandestates.com
🌐 NJ Clients: www.njwillsandestates.com

08/28/2026

A question we hear all the time: "If I die without a will, does the state just keep my money?"

While the state doesn't instantly take your assets, dying without a will (known as dying "intestate") leaves your life savings, home, and belongings up to state law—not your personal preferences.

Without a plan:
❌ Your money could go to relatives you didn't intend to include.
❌ Your partner or spouse might face complicated court delays to access accounts.
❌ Your family pays higher probate and legal fees.

👉 Watch the video here: https://youtube.com/shorts/YlXpHMZKIMQ?si=RZ3iiF4gGgV0KOX3

Have questions or need help setting up a will? Give our office a call at (212) 920-6371 or visit us online:
📍 NY: www.nywillsandestates.com
📍 NJ: www.njwillsandestates.com

08/25/2026

I didn’t plan to become an estate planning attorney.

In 2009, I suddenly found myself unemployed after the international company where I was General Counsel collapsed. I was newly engaged, the job market was brutal, and I had no idea what came next.

So I made a decision: build something of my own.

I spent my unemployment checks on law books, found a mentor, learned estate planning from the ground up, and eventually built my own practice.

The journey wasn’t easy. At one point, I was working 80-hour weeks and nearly ready to close the firm. That experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my career: building a successful law firm isn't just about working harder. It's about building the right team, learning to delegate, and staying focused on why you do the work in the first place.

Today, two principles guide me:

1️⃣ You absolutely must love helping people.
2️⃣ You must have fun doing it.

I'm grateful to Amy Cornforth, Esq. for taking the time to speak with me about my journey, leadership, and what it really takes to build a law firm.

If you're interested in the story behind the firm, you can read the full interview here:

Read the full interview on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vlad-portnoy-founder-law-office-pc-amy-cornforth-esq--1gcxc

Vlad Portnoy is the founder of the Law Office of Vlad Portnoy, an estate planning and elder law firm based in New York City. He has been practicing for more than 16 years, serving clients in wills, trusts, Medicaid planning, and guardianship matters.

08/23/2026

📝 Think writing a Will is as simple as putting your wishes on paper? Think again.

A Will can be one of the most important documents you create, but a mistake, missing provision, or improper ex*****on could create serious problems for your loved ones later.

So, how do you properly write a Will in New York? And what should you include to make sure your wishes are actually carried out?

👉 We break down the key steps, requirements, and common mistakes in our latest guide:

https://nywillsandestates.com/blog/how-to-write-a-will-ny/

📖 Read the full article and learn what you need to know before creating your Will.

📞 Have questions about your estate plan? 516-271-4205. Schedule a consultation with our team today.

08/22/2026

🚨 What would happen to your family if something went wrong with your estate?

Sometimes, the biggest estate-planning lessons come from real-life cases.

In Case File #3, Vlad Portnoy breaks down a real estate-planning situation and the important lessons families can learn from it. You may be surprised by what can go wrong when the right planning isn’t in place.

▶️ Watch the video to see what happened, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.https://youtu.be/3cmFC_Y1FPU?si=-I5W5pKieC3HWJHh

📲 Have questions about your own estate plan? Schedule a consultation with our team today. 516-271-4205

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/21/2026

Had an amazing time at an event hosted by Svitlana Kosenko at S Kosenko and Associates https://www.kosenkolaw.com/ !

Events like this always remind me that BNI is about so much more than just business—it’s about enduring friendships, inspiring conversations, and incredible collaborations. It was equally exciting to meet so many new faces who are top-tier networkers and impressive professionals.

Our chapter, from left to right: Stephan Shatarah, Shaker Olmush (immigration attorney), Lana Kosenko, Michael Goldberg, Jean Soong, me, and Martin Druyan.

Looking forward to building on all the great ideas sparked tonight!

08/17/2026

Did you know that August is National Make a Will Month? 🗓️

While most people think having a will is enough, how your will is created matters just as much. In New York, simple mistakes, like missing a witness rule or using a generic online template, can open the door to lengthy family battles in court.

Here’s how to make sure your last wishes stay protected.

🔗 Read the full breakdown: https://nywillsandestates.com/blog/make-a-will-month-new-york/

August is Make a Will Month. Learn why it exists, how to prepare for estate planning, and what New York requires for a will to hold up in court.

08/09/2026

August is Make a Will Month! 🗓️✨One question we get asked all the time before starting a plan:"How much is this actually going to cost?"Whether you're setting up a simple power of attorney, creating a trust, or navigating long-term care and Medicaid planning, legal costs shouldn't be a mystery. This month, take control of your financial future. We broke down the common billing structures—from flat fees to hourly rates—and what actually impacts the cost of working with an elder law attorney. Get the clear answers you need to plan ahead:👉 https://nywillsandestates.com/blog/how-much-elder-law-attorneys-charge/