Practice Area
Estate Planning
Estate planning is the process of deciding, in advance, how property should pass and who should make decisions if you cannot. Done carefully, it removes ambiguity at a time when families are least equipped to resolve it.
Documents commonly involved
- Wills
- Trusts, where appropriate to the circumstances
- Durable powers of attorney for financial matters
- Patient advocate designations for medical decisions
- Beneficiary and titling considerations that operate outside a will
Starting the process
Planning begins with an inventory of what exists — property, accounts, business interests, and obligations — followed by a discussion of who should receive what, who should be responsible for administration, and who should make decisions if you cannot. The documents follow from those decisions rather than the other way around.
Keeping a plan current
Marriage, divorce, births, deaths, business changes, and moves between states can all affect whether an existing plan still does what it was intended to do. A plan prepared years ago should be reviewed rather than assumed to be current.
The firm’s approach
The firm explains what each document does and does not do in plain terms, so that the plan you sign reflects decisions you actually made. Complex tax or specialized planning questions are identified early so they can be addressed appropriately.
Questions
Common questions
The information on this page is general and educational. It is not legal advice and does not address the specific facts of any matter. No outcome is promised or implied. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.