Wills, Trusts, and Estate Attorneys
Effective estate planning involves much more than having a last will and testament. Estate planning can help manage your financial affairs during your lifetime and help you control the distribution of your wealth after death through legacy planning.
An effective estate planning strategy can spell out your healthcare wishes and ensure that they’re carried out, even if you are unable to communicate. Also, it can designate someone to manage your financial affairs should you be unable to do so.
An Effective Estate Plan Can Help You Avoid the Probate Process
Without an estate plan, your assets could end up getting tied up in the probate process. As a result, your family could be burdened with the unnecessary stress and legal fees of having to hire a probate lawyer during what will already be a difficult time.
It’s important to realize that estate planning isn’t just about helping to preserve and distribute your assets after you’ve died. Estate planning is a crucial part of helping to preserve and manage those assets during your retirement years as well.
What Are the Basic Elements of a Well-Thought-Out Estate Plan?
When it comes to estate planning, the basic package consists of having a will, a living trust, and some form of power of attorney in place for making financial and/or healthcare decisions. These estate-planning tools — and the peace of mind they bring — are beneficial for all involved.
Through our long-standing relationships with legal financial professionals in the area, we can recommend a qualified attorney to provide legal advice and write the required documents.