Estate Planning
Estate planning is a process devoted to protecting an individual’s assets, belongings, and family.
We value your life’s work and want to preserve your legacy.
What estate planning topic do you worry about most?
01
Wills and Trusts
A will is a legal document that expresses a person’s wishes for the distribution of their property and belongings after their death. A Trust is similar to a will because it defines how a person’s assets and property will be distributed to whomever they designate, but it is also used to transfer ownership of those assets to a “trust”, a legal entity. Then, those assets can be distributed privately and with specifications that can’t exist in a will. Not everyone needs a will or a trust, but if you do, we can help you decide which one is right for you and prepare the documents you need.
02
Child Protection Planning
If you are a parent with young children, you may want to designate guardianship if something were to happen to you. Having this plan in place shows how much you care for your children by providing a guardian and preparing provisions for their financial security as well. This also gives you control over who will become the guardian of your children, rather than letting the court decide.
03
Special Needs Family Members
Planning for special needs family members can feel overwhelming, especially in terms of care and help after you pass away. If you create a trust, you can make provisions for your special needs family members, including financial aid and direction for their care.
04
Tax Planning
Inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and estate tax can seem to come out of nowhere after someone passes away. Currently, estate tax is limited to estates over 11 million, but there has been serious discussion in congress of lowering that limit to 3.5 or even 1 million. Many more people fall into this category! We can help you diminish these taxes through estate planning and management so that you can avoid the worry and stress associated with these.
Gifting to Charities or Others
How it Works
Our Process
1. Information Gathering
❑Potential Client Name, Address, Phone
❑ Potential Client Concerns and Desires
❑ Information Worksheet (Homework) Delivery
❑ Schedule time for Initial Consultation
2. Initial Consultation
❑ Meeting with Attorney for Client to communicate situation and desire for a plan
❑ Attorney to review Information Worksheet, Client desires, and provide options with caution areas to prepare for Design and Drafting
❑ Client to decide on plan design options with Attorney consultation
❑ Consultation Cost is $100, but would be applied to the cost of the plan to be developed and executed
❑ Choose a Plan to provide the best solution and complete retainer agreement
3. Design and Drafting
❑ Based on the Design alignment from the Consultation meeting, the relevant documents are prepared
❑ This part of the process can take 1 or 4 weeks depending on the complexity of the plan
4. Document Signing
❑ Attorney meets with Client to provide an overview of the documents
❑ Attorney points out key design elements that address Client’s concerns (put your mind at rest, knowing your plan is good)
❑ This is not a line-by-line review, but there is a process and time allotted for Clients to fully review.
❑ Documents are signed and notarized (Witnesses may be needed at this meeting)
5. Review and Trust Funding
❑ Client has 60 days to review in as much detail as desired (let us know if you need more time)
❑ All needed changes are grouped into one revision (includes all
documents), and resigned/notarized as needed
❑ Trust Funding (if required): Clients put home, other property, and financial accounts in the name of the Trust
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this website is provided for advertisement and general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. The information on this website, in whole or in part, does not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship between our firm and any reader. You should not send us any confidential information in response to this webpage. The material of this website may not reflect the most current legal developments and is subject to revision. We disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the content of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law. Do not act or refrain from acting upon the information contained on this website without seeking professional legal counsel.