Estate Planning Attorneys

Wills & Estate Planning Lawyers

If you are reading this, you should have a Last Will and Testament. An Estate Plan is needed by everyone. Good Estate Planning allows loved ones to focus on grieving the loss of a loved one, instead of worrying about bills, false claims and family arguments.

You are the only person who can direct what happens to your property while you are alive. Estate administration involves the gathering and actual transferring of one’s assets after the death of a family member and settling the affairs of the estate. Any debts of the estate must be paid. Various tax returns must be filed. The estate may be subject to probate, depending on what kind of estate plan was in place, if any. Decisions may have to be made about the sale of assets, such as the personal residence of the deceased, to settle the estate.

LIVING WILLS AND ESTATE PLANNING

Although there may be an Executor appointed under the Will, carrying out the terms of the Will generally requires the assistance of a qualified attorney. Addressing these administrative issues when making a Will can minimize much of the difficulty associated with estate administration. It is really a kindness to one’s heirs to plan for as many of those issues as possible in advance, hence, the need for an effective estate plan.

A Will tells the world exactly how you want your assets distributed when you die. It is also the best place to name guardians for your children. Dying without a Will – also known as dying “intestate” – can be costly to your heirs and leaves you no say over who gets your assets. If you die without a Will, the state decides who will get your assets. Even if you have a trust, you still need a Will to take care of any holdings outside of that trust when you die. Let us take care of your estate planning and probate needs.

ASSISTING CLIENTS WITH ESTATE PLANNING SERVICES

• Wills
• Trusts
• Health Care Powers of Attorney/Living Wills
• Charitable giving
• Financial Powers of Attorney
• Lifetime giving programs
• Retirement planning
• Planning for children’s and grandchildren’s education
• Business succession planning