Many people think estate planning is simply a way for the very wealthy to leave assets to heirs after death. In truth, proper estate planning is for families and individuals of all ages and circumstances. On the most basic level, it involves “getting your house in order,” so that you do not leave your loved ones with a financial mess to clean up when you pass away. But an estate plan can help you accomplish much more, including:
- Give what you want, to whom you want, when you want, in the manner you want
- Reduce or eliminate estate taxes
- Protect your children and loved ones from losing their inheritances to predators, creditors, family disharmony, or even their own poor decisions
- Avoid probate
- Leave a lasting legacy for family members and society as a whole
As with all of our practice areas, we take a holistic approach to estate planning. We consider all aspects of your situation—financial, emotional, medical, and more—to design a custom plan that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. The legal tools and strategies we can use to accomplish this include:
- Will
- Power of Attorney
- Health Care Proxy
- HIPAA Authorization
- Trusts, including Revocable Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Life Insurance Trusts
We invite you to contact us to schedule a planning session to discuss your specific needs and goals.