Estate Planning

What is estate planning?
Estate planning helps ensure who will receive the things you own after you pass away.  An estate includes everything you own - your car, your personal possessions, your home, bank accounts, life insurance accounts, investments, and more.  An estate plan begins with a will or living trust that names whom will get your Estate and in what manner.  However, a good estate plan goes much beyond that and can cover all of the following:

• Naming a guardian and conservator for your children
• Avoiding Probate Court
• Naming a Trustee to manage your Trust and assets for the benefit of your beneficiaries
• Protecting your children's assets from divorce and/or creditors
• Protecting your childrens assets for the benefit of someone with drug or substance abuse
• Minimizing taxes, court costs, attorneys fees
• Appointing a Health Care Agent to make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so
• Appointing someone to make financial and legal decisions for you in the event that you are incapacitated or unable to do so
• Provide for family members with special needs without disrupting their government benefits

If you do not create an estate plan, the government will decide where your assets will go to.  This is why it is important to have a well-drafted estate plan in place to ensure that your estate passes to those that you want. There are many options that exist and it is important to to contact an experienced estate planning attorney in order to preserve your family's wealth.  A well-drafted estate plan will give you and your family peace of mind.