Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
When you plan your estate, you plan for the transfer of your assets at your death. In addition, if you are the parent of a minor child, you plan for the custody and support of a child if both parents pass away. You also plan for the possibility of incapacity – being unable to manage your own business affairs or make your own health care decisions.
Planning your estate may result in some or all of these documents:
- Will, with or without testamentary trust
- Revocable Trust
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Health Care Power of Attorney
- Advance Directive for a Natural Death (Living Will)
As part of this planning process, you may also designate beneficiaries on your life insurance and your retirement accounts. Sometimes, transfers of property may be made, for example, between spouses.
No two situations are the same. That is why advice from an attorney, based upon a thorough understanding of your needs and concerns, is so important.
Lori will:
- help you identify your goals in planning your estate
- listen to your concerns and your questions
- explain your options and the pros and cons of each option
- make recommendations for accomplishing your goals
- respect your choices
- guide you through the process of implementing your decisions
Questions that Lori can help with:
- “Do I really need a will if all my property is owned jointly with someone else?”
- “Will my estate need to pay any estate taxes?”
- “How do I make charitable gifts at my death?”
- “I want some items of sentimental value to pass to friends and family members. How can I accomplish that?”
- “What happens if my child, even if legally an adult, isn’t able to handle the responsibility of an inheritance?”
- “Who will take care of my minor child if both parents have died?”
- “How do I decide who to name as Guardian of my minor child?”
- “Who will manage my child’s inheritance?”
- “Should the person named as my child’s Guardian also manage my child’s inheritance?”
- "I want to be sure my pet is well cared for after my death. How can I do this?"
- "This is a second marriage for both of us and we each have children from a prior marriage. How does this affect our planning?
- “I have a will already. When should it be updated?”