Estates consist of property that is owned prior to distribution through a trust or a will. An estate plan ensures that your family and financial goals are met after you die. If you do not make a will before your death, state law will determine who gets your property, and it may not be the person you would have chosen. Additionally, a judge will decide who will raise your children. In estate planning you make these decisions yourself. We work with you to make a will, consider trust options, direct your health care, make a power of attorney, protect the guardianship of your children, transform probate assets into non-probate assets, understand estate taxes, insure the value of estimated estate tax liability, protect your business, and keep your estate plan current.

WILLS. Property needs to be distributed as you wish it to be upon your death. A will is a written document that disposes of a person's property at death and directs responsibility to others for distribution of your business assets, for guardianship of your minor children, and for management of your pets. Wills formalize distribution of your property to those whom you nominate as entitled to receive it under probate, but not all property needs to pass under a will. Will substitutes are exceptions to probate. We help you to identify and manage probate assets and non-probate or will substitute assets.

TRUSTS. Dependents, pets, and charities need to be provided for upon your death. A trust is a non-probate asset that bestows benefits on worthy individuals, pets, or charities to receive equitable interest in property held in trust for them. Trusts provide for and protect financial assets for minor children, individuals who lack skills to manage money, and those or who are susceptible to influence from persons that mean to cause them financial harm. We help you to balance the benefits of trust creation, administration requirements, and transfer costs.

HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES. Comfort in a time of sickness is essential. A health care directive is a durable power of attorney that permits and directs the person of your choosing to make health care decisions concerning you if you are unable to do so. This document becomes active only when you become incapacitated. Your health care directive extends beyond your death for purposes of authorizing the disposition of your remains, autopsy, organ donations, and so on. We help you to plan for end of life directives in health and hospice care.

POWERS OF ATTORNEY. Bills need to be paid. A power of attorney gives a person of your choosing authority to act as your agent in matters involving your real and personal property. A power of attorney should be durable and spring into action when you become physically or mentally incapable of making financial decisions for yourself. We help you to authorize a person of your choice to manage your daily affairs until you are able to do so for yourself again.