It is important to plan for the future. Setting up an Estate Plan will save your heirs some headache and heartache, as well as give you peace of mind that your hard-earned assets get to the right people. Let us guide you through this important process.
Wills
The most basic and common estate document. A Will is a document for the distribution of your assets in the event of your death. Everyone should at least have a will. This is the first step to making your wishes known and streamlining your estate.
Powers or Attorney (POAs)
There are many varieties of these. Financial POAs, Healthcare POAs (AKA Patient Advocate Designation), and so on. These documents allow a trusted individual to handle your affairs, make decisions on your behalf, and provide support in the event you are alive, but incapacitated, and unable to make these decisions on your own.
Trusts
These documents come in many varieties with many uses. Living Trust, Inter Vivos Trust, Revocable Trust, Irrevocable Trusts, Asset Protection Trust to name a few. Essentially a trust is a separate legal entity that can own assets and property for the benefit of named beneficiaries. They can be flexible, and they can be rigid. They can be broad or have a specific purpose. Trusts are a very useful tool for protecting your wealth and providing for future generations. While not everyone may need a trust, it is a good idea to have us evaluate your estate and offer advice on the matter.
Probate
Probate is the legal process in the courts to administer an estate. It is unavoidable. Probate can be confusing, overwhelming, and expensive. An interested individual will need to open an estate with the County Probate Court to appoint a Personal Representative that will then administer the estate according to a Will, or State Intestate Succession rules if there is no will. Even if you have a trust, a Will still needs to be submitted to probate and the Estate administered. Having a properly planned and crafted Estate Plan with all the appropriate documents can make Probate much easier and cheaper. We understand that sometimes people do not plan ahead and now you as an heir may be stuck with a confusing and scary situation. Let us ease your anxiety and handle the hard parts.
