Expert Legal Advice:
Expert Legal Advice that provides Unmarried Couples, Single Professionals, Parents and Small Business Owners with the ability to control and manage the most important personal and business decisions now and in the future.
Personalized Service:
We provide Custom Legal Plans that are tailored to each client’s particular lifestyle and personal choices. A custom legal plan ensures your specific goals are met. You’ve worked hard to have control over your life, let us protect it.
Commitment to Excellence:
We are committed to providing the very best in legal services to each Client. Excellence is not the exception; it is our prevailing attitude. Excellence in client service and a commitment to professional quality is our Hallmark.
Practice Areas
A Passion for Excellence, A Passion for our Clients:
Life & Legacy Planning
Domestic Partnerships
Cohabitation Agreements
Business Succession Planning
Wills
Trusts
- Need An Advice From Expert Attorney?
Years Experience
about company
Welcome to Our Firm
Whether you are in a committed relationship or as single as they come, a solo business owner or just starting a business, you have taken control of the choices you make in your life. But an unexpected Illness, Injury, Incapacitation or death can leave you helpless and out of control. The Law office of Colleen M Terry, PLLC is committed to providing clients with the legal tools necessary to maintain control of their life and assets when the unexpected and unforeseen happens. By recognizing and filling the gaps in legal protections and benefits automatically afforded to married persons, The Law office of Colleen M Terry, PLLC provides lifestyle insurance to unmarried couples, single professionals and solo business owners.
Skilled Attorneys
Client - Focused Solutions
Proven Legal Protections & Benefits
Peace of Mind
- Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late! If You & Your Partner have chosen not to get married, If you are Single professional who Lives Alone, If you are a Solo business Owner, Call us Today to Create a Custom Legal Plan that Protects you and gives you the power to stay in Control of your life.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Is there Common Law Marriage in New York?
No, there is no Common Law Marriage in New York State. Although New York recognizes common law marriages that originate in states that permit it, Couples cannot begin a common law marriage in New York State. If you are in a committed relationship and living with your partner but not married, contact us today to claim and protect your rights as a couple now and in the future.
2. What Are the Legal Rights of Unmarried Couples who live together in New York?
Generally, Unmarried Couples are treated as two unrelated and separate individuals, without the right to inherit from one another, care for one another in times of illness or injury, act on behalf of one another in times of incapacity. Luckily, Unmarried Couples can claim these rights using legal tools such as a Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Life Estates, Cohabitation Agreement; Last Will & Testament and/or a Trust. With the assistance of an experienced attorney, Unmarried Couples can inherit from one another, care for one another in times of illness or injury, act on behalf of one another in times of incapacity and protect the life they have built when the unforeseen happens. If you are in a committed relationship and living with your partner but not married, contact us today to claim and protect your rights as a couple now and in the future.
3. What Happens if I die without a Will or a Trust?
In New York State, if you pass away without a Will and/or a Trust, you have died “intestate.” If you die intestate, your Estate (money, property & possessions) is distributed to certain relatives (and creditors) according to New York State Law. This can be a long and costly court process and the people you care for the most may not be entitled to any part of your Estate. Executing a Last Will & Testament and/or a Living Trust ensures your money, property and possessions are inherited by the people or charities you choose while reducing the time and expense of the Court process. If you do not have a Will or a Trust, contact us today to make sure these important choices stay in your control.
4. As a single unmarried adult who is authorized to coordinate my health care, protect my home, pay my bills and care for my pets in an emergency?
As an unmarried adult, you need to designate the person or persons you trust the most to care for you, protect your assets and act on your behalf in the event of a serious illness, serious injury or incapacitation. If you do not take action, New York State Law determines who will care for you, who will have access to your assets and who is authorized to act on your behalf. This process can be costly and take months to accomplish. Legal tools such as a Power of Attorney, a Health Care Proxy and a Living Will allow unmarried people to empower the person of their choosing to act on their behalf, manage their assets and communicate health care wishes. If you are an unmarried adult, contact us today to make sure these important choices stay in your control.
5. If I am a Small Business Owner, how can I ensure my business will continue to operate if I am sick, injured or incapacitated?
By planning ahead, small business owners can ensure continuity of business operations and decrease the possibility of a power struggle in the event the business owner is seriously ill, injured or incapacitated. Legal tools such as an Operating Agreement, Power of Attorney, a Health Care Proxy and a Living Will assist business owners in maintaining the viability and health of their business. If you one a small business, sole proprietorship or closely held business contact us today to make sure vital business decisions are identified and addressed before the unexpected happens.
Don’t be Helpless when Life throws you a Curve Ball, Protect the Life you are Living! Personalized Legal Planning gives you the power to Maintain control over your Life and Business during illness, incapacitation or death of you or a loved one.
We have the Perfect Plans for You!
1. Unmarried Cohabitating Couples: Protect Yourself & your lifestyle
Basic Plan includes:
A Power of Attorney
A Health Care Proxy
A Living Will
Additional Legal Tools for Unmarried Cohabitating Couples include:
Cohabitation Agreements
Registered Domestic Partnership
Life Estates & Property inheritance
Designated Standby Guardianships
Last Will & Testament
Trusts
2. Single Professionals: Ensure you maintain control of your life
Basic Plan includes:
Power of Attorney
Health Care Proxy
Living Will
Additional Legal Tools for Single Professionals include:
Designated Standby Guardianships
Last Will & Testament
Trusts
3. Business Owners: Protect your livelihood
Basic Plans includes:
Power of Attorney
Health Care Proxy
Living Will
Additional Legal Tools for Business Owners include:
Last Will & Testament
Trusts
Operating Agreement
Buy-Sell Agreement
Client Testimonials
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Kelly Smith
CEO/ Founder
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Bryan Jones
CEO/ Founder
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Megan Preston
CEO/ Founder
- Check out the latest news
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.