Booking a will drafting appointment should feel straightforward — not overwhelming. This page walks you through the practical steps, the legal checkpoints New York imposes, and the realistic timeline from first call to signed document.
How the Process Works
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | Attorney reviews your assets, family structure, and goals | 30–60 min |
| Draft preparation | Attorney prepares a will tailored to NY EPTL §3-2.1 requirements | 3–7 business days |
| Execution appointment | You sign at the end of the will; two witnesses sign within a 30-day window and add their residence addresses | 30–60 min |
| Safekeeping | Original stored; copies distributed per your instructions | Same day |
Key Legal Facts That Affect Your Timeline
New York wills are governed by EPTL §3-2.1. Before your execution appointment, confirm:
- Publication: You must declare the instrument to be your will in front of both witnesses.
- Signature placement: Your signature must appear at the end of the will.
- Witness window: Both attesting witnesses must sign within a single 30-day period.
- No will? EPTL Article 4 governs who inherits — the outcome may surprise you.
- Married? A surviving spouse retains a right of election under EPTL §5-1.1-A regardless of what the will says.
A completed will does not become effective until death and must later be admitted to Surrogate’s Court probate. Note: a living will is a separate health-care document — it does not transfer property.
Need to change an existing will? See codicils and amendments.
Book Your Appointment
Schedule a 30-minute consultation with Russel Morgan, Esq. at Morgan Legal Group — serving clients across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Upstate New York.
Have a question about your estate?
Talk it through with Russel Morgan — free 30-minute consult.
Further reading from Morgan Legal Group: .