Stephen Bilkis

Stephen Bilkis is the founder and principal of Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC, a New York law firm representing clients in probate, estate administration, estate litigation, trusts and estates, family law, and other legal matters. Since founding the firm in 1997, Stephen Bilkis has helped individuals, families, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and business owners address complex legal issues involving the transfer, protection, and administration of wealth. His practice includes representing clients throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, and Long Island.

Stephen Bilkis has earned recognition from clients and peers for his legal work and commitment to client service. Stephen Bilkis has been selected to Super Lawyers, is rated Excellent by Avvo, and has been recognized as a Top-Rated Lawyer by Justia. Stephen Bilkis has also been recognized as one of the best lawyers in New York by Expertise.com and TopLawyer.com. These recognitions reflect nearly three decades of experience representing clients in complex legal matters throughout New York.

Over the course of his career, Stephen Bilkis has developed extensive experience in probate and estate matters ranging from routine estate administrations to highly contested Surrogate’s Court proceedings. He regularly advises executors, administrators, trustees, beneficiaries, heirs, and family members regarding their rights and responsibilities under New York law. Stephen Bilkis has represented clients in probate proceedings, administration proceedings, will contests, contested accountings, breach of fiduciary duty claims, trust disputes, kinship proceedings, and other complex estate litigation matters.

Stephen Bilkis is particularly experienced in handling high-net-worth and complex estates involving significant real estate holdings, closely held businesses, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, trusts, and multi-generational wealth transfers. He understands that substantial estates often involve more than complex assets. They sometimes involve blended families, strained family relationships, disputes among beneficiaries, allegations of undue influence, questions regarding testamentary capacity, and disagreements over the interpretation of wills and trusts. Stephen Bilkis works closely with clients to develop practical strategies that protect estate assets while addressing the legal and personal issues that often arise during estate administration and litigation.

In addition to representing beneficiaries and heirs, Stephen Bilkis regularly advises fiduciaries regarding the administration of estates and trusts. Executors, administrators, and trustees are often entrusted with significant responsibilities and may face personal liability if mistakes are made during the administration process. Stephen Bilkis assists fiduciaries with carrying out their duties, preparing accountings, responding to beneficiary objections, managing creditor claims, preserving estate assets, and complying with Surrogate’s Court requirements.

Stephen Bilkis earned his Juris Doctor from Touro Law School in 1997 and was admitted to practice law in New York that same year. Shortly thereafter, he founded Stephen Bilkis & Associates with the goal of creating a client-focused practice dedicated to providing personalized legal representation and practical solutions. Throughout his career, Stephen Bilkis has been known for his thorough preparation, responsiveness, and attention to detail when handling complex legal matters.

The legal work of Stephen Bilkis and the attorneys associated with his firm has been featured by national and regional media outlets, including CNN, CBS, CNBC, ABC New York, The New York Times, the New York Post, and Newsday. Through decades of practice, Stephen Bilkis and the attorneys at his firm have helped clients navigate some of the most significant financial and family matters they will ever face, from routine estate administrations to high-value and heavily contested estate disputes.

Stephen Bilkis has been a member of the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, the American Prepaid Legal Institute, and the AARP Legal Services Network. He remains committed to helping clients protect their interests, preserve family wealth, resolve disputes, and successfully navigate probate, estate administration, estate litigation, and trust matters throughout New York.