Estate Planning

Estate Planning can be a difficult subject for many.  We understand it is something you may never have considered or perhaps see it as something to put off until later. However, one glance at the news reminds us that accidents, sudden illnesses or the unexpected can happen to anyone at any time. We know family is most important.  You can’t control the unexpected, but you can ensure you are prepared for it - and that’s peace of mind.

Take the time now to review these questions AND ask yourself:  “Have I put into place everything that is necessary to ensure that the love and support I want for my loved one(s) after I’m gone is complete?”  If you answer “yes” to any one of the questions below, call our office now and let us help you navigate through what is necessary for your family.

1. Do you have estate planning documents that have not been updated in years despite your life circumstances changing?
2. Have you recently gotten married or perhaps had your first child but have not thought about why it is important to have estate planning documents at this point in your life?
3. Have you recently remarried and have not discussed updating or obtaining new estate documents that reflect your new family, residence, etc.?
4. Do you have a special needs child and constantly worry about their safety and care if something should happen to you?
5. Do you have concerns about any child who might have problems appropriately managing assets that you want them to inherit?
6. Do you have a formalized plan for how you would like your care and assets overseen if you were unable to do so due to physical or mental inability?
7. Do you want to be able to ensure that your estate will not be distributed through a court supervised probate process that can be expensive and a lengthy process?  

OUR ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS include the following:

Will
A document that outlines your desired instructions for administering your estate and distributing your assets at the time of your death.

Trusts
An estate planning tool that is generally used to protect the beneficiaries of your estate due to age, disabilities, wasteful spending, divorce, etc., and probate avoidance.  There are several types of trusts:  revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, and pet trusts.

Living Will
During times of incapacity, the living will provides personal direction to your family and health care provider for your end-of-life plan. During your family’s toughest moment, this document alleviates the burden of end-of-life decision-making.

Durable Power of Attorney
Enables the appointment of a trusted individual to manage your financial life while avoiding the necessity for costly Court intervention.

Health Care Surrogate
Enables the designation of a “surrogate” to make health care decisions for you or receive health care information on your behalf, or both, when you are unable to do so due to medical condition or cognitive deficiencies. This document can avoid the necessity for costly guardianship proceedings, or court intervention.

Pre-need Guardian Declaration.
If a guardianship is unavoidable and determined necessary by the Court, this document provides the Judge your preferred guardians of your person and property as designated by you.