Estate planning means giving what you have, to who you want, when you want, the way you want, and doing so in a manner which you control. Most individuals are familiar with what a will is, which is a document that provides where your property goes at the time of your death. However, proper estate planning is more than a basic will.
Proper estate planning does more than provide for the transfer of assets at death. An estate plan does more than just pass on your assets; it passes on your morals, values, and ideals. It can provide a solid plan for you and your loved ones if you become incapacitated and you cannot care for them or yourself.
A well thought out plan can provide the necessary guidance through an emotional and trying time. It can protect your loved ones from predatory creditors, their vices, lawsuits, and unnecessary taxes. Estate planning isn’t just for the affluent or wealthy. Everyone has an estate and everyone can benefit from planning ahead.
We work with our clients, who include business executives, owners of privately held businesses, investors, farmers, surviving spouses and families to create unique estate and business plans that preserve assets and minimize taxes, both during their lives and, often, for many years beyond.
Many of our clients are concerned about minimizing administrative hassles, the publicity, court intervention, taxes, court costs, and unnecessary legal fees. We strongly believe that when a crisis hits, your plan should be arranged so that your family avoids as much of these expenses as possible, and that it be handled privately by their family, not by the courts.
Having a will-based estate plan, your family will likely need to go through the probate process, called a testate probate, to get assets to those listed in the will. If you do not have any estate plan, you may or may not be aware that the state has already provided a plan for you. A plan that may not be in your best interest. Without a will, your loved ones will likely have an intestate probate.
Probate, in general, can be a costly public process in which the state determines who administers your estate and the distribution of your assets. Probate provides relatives and others a forum to bring a suit against those who claim your property. This process can be inflexible, time-consuming and expensive.
Probate can be problematic in even the most simple of situations. What if your estate passed to your only child in the midst of marital problems or divorce? The child’s spouse could be entitled to half of your inheritance. What if you remarried and want to provide for your children from your first marriage? Without a well drafted testamentary plan, your current spouse and your spouse’s children could be entitled to all of your assets.
Many of our clients are concerned about minimizing administrative hassles, the publicity, court intervention, taxes, court costs, and unnecessary legal fees. We strongly believe that when a crisis hits, your plan should be arranged so that your family avoids as much of these expenses as possible, and that it be handled privately by their family, not by the courts.
Your family's future is important to us.
You’ve given a lifetime of hard work. You’re entitled to someone who knows your family, your values, your morals, and your ideals.
Our talented and friendly team is here to help.
