Estate Planning

Over 70% of Americans do not have a will and have made no provisions whatsoever to protect their family or business in the event that the unexpected occurs —they die or are incapacitated in some way and unable to make decisions on their own. Failure to plan properly can create unnecessary financial and emotional stress and confusion for your family, business associates and loved ones. Thoughtful planning will facilitate a smooth and efficient transition of business and personal assets if a disability or death occurs.

Estate planning includes the process of directing how you want your assets to be administered during your life and after your death. Planning your estate is not only a financial concern, but it also includes creating directives for how you want your health care to be handled if you should become unable to manage your own affairs. An important part of this process is choosing agents. This decision requires considerations such as whether the agent is willing to serve, where the agent lives and if the person can handle the job. If you have young children, an essential part of a comprehensive estate plan is the appointment of chosen guardians to care for your children if you are unable to do so. The estate planning process may include a host of additional tax and non-tax considerations including such topics as charitable gifts, burial arrangements, and trust formation.

If you do not have an estate plan, we recommend that you consider making one. If you already have a plan in place, we recommend that you review it and update it periodically to ensure that it continues to meet your needs under current law. It is especially important to revisit your estate plan following significant changes in your personal and business circumstances—such as having a child, receiving an inheritance, expanding your business or moving to a new state.

• Wills
• Trusts (revocable and irrevocable)
• Life Insurance Trusts
• Estate and Gift Tax Planning
• Financial, Medical, and Special Powers of Attorney
• Living Wills
• Probate and Trust Administration
• Guardianship
• Charitable Planning
• Prenuptial and Post Nuptial Agreements
• Estate Planning for Non-Traditional Families
• Estate Planning for Non-Citizen Spouses
• Business Succession Planning
• Special Needs Trusts

We listen, learn, and advise you on your options. Then, we design and draft the documents necessary to implement a plan to protect you, your quality of life, and your loved ones.