Wills & Trusts

We’ve all heard of wills before.

A will is a legal document that states your wishes for distributing your assets after you pass away.

When someone dies, the will is filed in probate court, there is a legal proceeding, and ultimately, the court distributes the assets according to the will’s terms. All estate plans include a will.

But what happens if you become incapacitated before your death? Or you have complex financial or family affairs requiring more than a simple will?

Estate planning goes beyond just a will.

Comprehensive estate planning prepares not just for death but also for incapacity.

If you become incapacitated (can’t make decisions for yourself), you need to have legal documentation that allows others to act on your behalf.

All our estate plans include a will and the documents necessary to plan for incapacitation. These include medical and financial powers of attorney, an advance directive, designation of guardianship, and other documentation of end-of-life wishes.

Save your family from court.

People often come to estate planning asking for a basic will. And while that may be sufficient in some cases, many families (even if they don’t consider themselves wealthy) benefit from trust-based planning.

People choose trust-based planning for several reasons. One main objective is avoiding probate court, which can be costly and time-intensive. It’s also public.

When done properly, trust-based planning can keep things out of court. After your death, your family can rely on the terms of your trust and handle your affairs privately.

Protect your assets.

Another main benefit of trust-based planning is protecting assets. There are many ways to use trusts to protect your money and property, not just during your lifetime but also after you pass away.

Trusts can help if you have young children with a lot of living (and therefore expenses) ahead of them. But, if you have any children, you may want to consider a trust if you have concerns about their spending habits, spouses, possibility of divorce, or involvement in legal troubles.

How will the lives of your loved ones look after you are gone? The more concerns you have about their financial security, the more a trust can help. Let’s walk through the options to see what’s best for you.

Call now, and let’s get started today.