Estate planning requires listening to a client's concerns and wishes, evaluating and presenting options to the client, and then completing documents and instructions that carry out the clients' wishes. The planning may involve preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, various kinds of Trusts, Transfer on Death Deeds, Quit Claim Deeds, or other documents
Estate planning may include:
- Basic Wills
- Wills with trust provisions
- Revocable Living Trusts
- Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts ("ILIT")
- Supplemental and Special Needs Trusts
- Quit Claim Deeds, Transfer on Death Deeds
- Health Care Directives
- Powers of Attorney
- Conservatorships
- Antenuptial /Prenuptial Agreements
- Business planning
Probate is a process for distributing property after someone dies. Probate is not normally needed for assets that are jointly owned or payable to another person upon death. There are several different probate procedures: informal, formal, supervised, unsupervised, summary, and descent by decree. Statutes and court rules might require a specific procedure for a case. Sometimes, the family has a choice of procedures.
Elder Law is an area that involves both the financial and personal aspects of aging. Sometimes, a family member loses cognition suddenly, but more often, this occurs gradually. Ethically, morally, and legally, the elder's informed and reasoned choices should be honored and followed. However, when a person makes clearly bad choices, some intervention is needed. Has the elder sent money to phone, mail, or email scammers? Or have they been driving a car unsafely? Are they taking medication correctly?
We look for answers that protect the individual with the least interference with their free will and integrity.