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John Crane

JOHN M CRANE PC
https://johnmcranepc.com

Areas of Focus: Life and Legacy Planning, Kids Protection Planning

Licensed States: New York

Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call

What to expect from John Crane

A 15 - minute introductory call to understand your goals and needs
2 - Hour Working Family Wealth Planning Session: A comprehensive look at your current family dynamics and your assets, including a comprehensive inventory of everything you have so none of it is ever lost.
Education on how the law impacts your family and assets, focused specifically on your County, State and Country of residence.
A transparent discussion of your options to care for what matters most to you, no matter what happens Planning options that work for you and the people you love. Relational, compassionate counsel to help you make "eyes wide open" choices for yourself and the people you love.
A clear plan (not just documents) for how your assets and those you love will be taken care of, throughout every stage of life, and in the event of your incapacity or death.

About John Crane

My legal journey began with an unforgettable experience—working alongside a brilliant criminal attorney representing members of New York’s infamous organized crime families. It was captivating, but it also opened my eyes to the realities of the field, leading me to pivot early in my career. I shifted into litigation at a Manhattan law firm, only to find that the billable-hour model left little room for truly supporting clients in ways that could prevent problems rather than simply litigate them.

A pivotal moment came when I witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of poorly executed estate planning. Whether it was my girlfriend’s family struggling to access assets after her mother’s death, or countless others dealing with plans that failed due to untransferred assets, I saw a clear gap in how traditional estate planning served people.

I knew there had to be a better way—a system that truly protected families and empowered clients. That’s when I discovered a comprehensive, client-focused approach to estate planning that addressed these gaps. Inspired by a mentor who redefined the standard for what estate planning could be, I shifted my practice to ensure my clients and their loved ones are fully protected, no matter what.

Today, my focus is on delivering proactive, all-inclusive estate planning services with a fixed-fee model. I make it easy for clients to stay connected and adapt their plans as life changes—because true protection requires more than just a set of documents. It requires a commitment to building relationships, anticipating needs, and ensuring peace of mind.

This isn’t just my profession; it’s my passion. Every client deserves a plan that works when it matters most, and I’m here to make sure they get it.

Testimonials

"Oh my God! John and his staff are amazing. He handles everything with charm and elegance. I used him to probate my mom's estate and to sell the home. I did nothing but sign papers. He even drove to my home because I had a knee injury and could not take the subway to Manhattan to meet at his office. Two days before the closing, he told me everything that would happen and went over all the finances. He arrived at the closing with pre-printed checks and they were already copied. We were in and out of the closing in less than an hour. His staff is also professional and so helpful. Odette is like speaking with your caring aunt. Jennifer is always cheerful and if you have lost your mom, a patient and caring staff is very important. I also used John to purchase a condominium and he again came through with flawless performance. I gave John power of attorney and wired the money into his escrow account. A week before closing, I called Jennifer to ask how everything was and she sent me over their closing memorandum. They had all the numbers a week ahead of time. John texted me from the closing and said everything was going smooth, and within one hour from the time he said it would start, he texted me a copy of the deed and said everything was done. He gave me closing binders with all documents organized for both closings and was always, ALWAYS available to take my calls, even if all I wanted was to hear that everything was okay! I highly recommend John and his staff to anyone that is too busy to have to babysit your attorney and just want to ensure that everything is done correctly and with minimal stress and inconvenience." - Jean D.

"John Crane provides excellent service. He has been a real estate attorney for over 20 years and is incredibly efficient and diligent. I've seen him receive a deal sheet at 4:29 PM and get the contracts out at 5:17 PM." - Lauren J.

"I had already moved out of NYC when I got an accepted offer on my condo. I read the reviews of John and figured I would call. I asked him what his fee was and he said "that is really probably the least important question you could ask" and he was right. John proceeded to explain that he could save me money because I could give him power of attorney and not have to fly back for the closing. He also asked my plans for the money. I had the fake sales attitude up and said: "why is that any of your business" and I got a 20-minute education that probably saved me 350,000 in taxes! Do not do what I did and look for a cheap attorney! All real estate attorneys are not the same. Despite my stupid questions, John patiently explained a 1031 exchange when I told him I would probably invest the money in a property in Nevada where I moved. John set up a conference call with my financial advisor and I and brilliantly explained how I could pay a little tax on money I wanted to keep liquid and invest the rest in a 1031 and defer the bulk of the capital gains tax until some time in the future. As a CPA, I knew about 1031's but didn't want to deal with tenants. John listened to me say I walk with a walker and patiently suggested a professional property manager and everything just clicked. He handled everything from start to finish and I was updated with every occurrence. Both he and his staff were absolutely professional and John wired money to my bank and the rest to the 1031 company so that everything was ready for my Nevada purchase. I have already referred my best friend and her son and will continue to send everyone in NY that I know that says they are buying or selling. I paid John $3,500 and honestly, his service was worth double. When I told him I couldn't walk too good and my mailbox was at the end of the driveway, he sent everything by Fed Ex directly to my door. His service was really that exceptional!" - Nicole

Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call

THE PERSONAL FAMILY LAWYER PROMISE

What makes PFL lawyers different?

How you hire us.

We begin with a comprehensive inventory of everything you own, and everyone you love, and consider it all in a working meeting, called a Family Wealth Planning Session, to guide you to clarify your financial life and legacy goals before we draft a single document.
How we plan.

We work with you throughout every life stage to map out the most likely scenarios for you and the people you love, planning for each as your life, the law, and your assets change over time.
What we protect.

Our Life & Legacy Planning process ensures everything that matters most -- from your financial assets to your values, insights, stories and experience -- are captured and documented during your life and cared for over the generations to come.
What you see.

Transparency in our process, and our fees … all of which are flat fees, agreed to in advance, based on your choices and with no surprises, ensuring we stay on the same side of the table - supporting you to make a lifetime of great decisions - every step of the way.
How we deliver.

Our systems help you get clear and organized, overcoming the exact issues that keep most estate plans from actually working when they are needed most. We help you leave your family with a gift of love, and not a mess.
How our plans work.

One-and-done estate plans focused only on money are a recipe for a big mess. We help you throughout every stage of life and be there for the people you love, when you can’t be.