You need to save your loved one’s time, money and frustration by having a will and planning for the management of your health care and property if you die or become incapacitated. Some of this property will pass through probate, a legal process when someone dies. This process is always necessary even when you have a will; a judge will validate the will as necessary and an executor will carry out the responsibilities as directed in the will. We will ensure you have a good estate plan to address many issues that may arise later, and should include You can have the confidence and knowing that you have a well-designed plan in mind in advance and will give you and your family the peace of mind they deserve.
End of Life Planning Solutions to Protect Your Legacy
Creating a Will
Allows you to avoid probate which can be expensive
Forming a Trust
Allows you to control the distribution of your assets when you pass
Durable Powers of Attorney
Ability to appoint power to an agent or attorney for financial matters
Medical Powers of Attorney
Allows you to designate a person to make healthcare decisions for you
We Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes in
Probate to Protect Your Legacy
1
Wills
a Will allows you to avoid costly problems your family will inherit and delays in probate court. If you die without a will, the law disposes of your property and it may pass to heirs you might not have chosen. A will allows you to leave your property to the persons you desire and not the persons chosen by law. In addition, you can designate the person or persons who will care for your minor children or set up a trust that becomes effective when you die. A will means that your wishes are honored and that the issues in your life that need closure (such as debts) will be taken care of efficiently. In summary, wills move through probate relatively quickly and allows your beneficiaries to get their assets in a timely fashion. Furthermore, a will can help you and your heirs avoid excessive state taxes at both the federal and state levels.
2
Trusts
A trust is a relationship where property is held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary). Placing property in the trust transfers it from your person ownership to the trustee; the trustee has legal title to the property. A trust can provide you the control you need in the event of your death to protect your assets as well as tax planning opportunities depending on what state you live in. The most common trusts are living trusts which can consolidate assets and avoid the probate process. A revocable or living trusts will hold your assets during your life and can substitute for a will upon your death. A testamentary trust is actually created by the will and is often used for tax planning or protection from a creditor.
3
Durable Powers of Attorney
A durable power of attorney is a written instrument by which you appoint and grant an attorney-in-fact or agent powers with respect to your property and financial matters. If you are incapacitated and no longer able to make decision about your financial assets, a court can appoint a legal guardian to manage your estate, which can be a time consuming an expensive process. In summary, this can help you avoid many costly and time-consuming probate issues.
4
Medical Power of Attorney
A medical power of attorney allows you to designate a person (your agent) to make your health care decisions for you when you are no longer capable of making them yourself. A directive to physicians allows you to designate, before the need arises, instructions on the use or withholding of life sustaining procedures. A medical power of attorney only really goes into effect after a doctor has determined that you are unable to make your medical decisions yourself. Giving the medical power of attorney to someone allows them to speak for you and have full rights to the information about your medical condition.
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