ESTATE PLANNING

     Planning your estate is about caring for your loved ones, seeing they are provided for, and making sure your hard earned property is distributed according to your wishes.

    Your estate consists of all your property including:

• your home and other real estate

• tangible personal property such as cars and jewelery

• intangible property such as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and pension and social security benefits.

     An Estate Plan is your blueprint for where you want your property to go after you die. If you die without a will or trust, you've in effect left it to state law to dispose of your property.

     Estate Planning is not only for older people.  Too many young and middle age people die suddenly, often leaving behind minor children who need care and direction. 

     During your estate planning you can also plan for possible mental of physical incapacity.  Living wills and, health care proxys, and durable powers of attorney enable you to decide in advance about life support and pick someone to make decisions for you about medical treatement.

     You may be able to structure your estate plan in ways that can lower or eliminate your tax burden and leave more money to your beneficiaries.

     The best plan recognizes that the best will is only part of the total plan for the distribution of your property.  Call to make an appointment to discuss and establish an estate plan that best suites your particular needs and  circumstances.

WILLS

     The primary reason for making a will is to leasve your property to those you care about, and in the proportions you choose.

     If you die without a will, your property in most instances will be distributed among your family members,  and perhaps not exactly the way you would prefer. 

     A will is custom tailored to your own particular needs.  You define precisely how you want your property distributed to your family and/or friends after your death. And, you name as executors those persons you want to handle the disposition of your property.

     If you have children under 18, you may nominate personal guardians for your children in case you should die before they grow up.  Otherwise, a court will decide without your input where your kids will live and who will make important decisions about their money, education, and way of life.

     The advice and guidance of an attorney in preparing your will may prove invaluable. In order for a will to be valid, certain formalities must me strictly adhered to in it's preparation and execution.  Failure to closely follow those formalities will likely result in a will that has no legal validity whatsoever--as is if the will had never been made. 

     The cost of drawing a will depends on the complexity of your circumstances and accordingly the amount of legal services required.  In small estates, when a will contains no complicated provisions or unusual problems the fees are nominal.

Call to make an appointment to discuss and  establish an estate plan and will that best suites your particular needs and  circumstances.