The Estate Plan

Why most everyone should have an Estate Plan

Estate planning may sound like something only for the very well-to-do, but it is important in many situations. It is probably important for you and your Estate Lawyer to craft an estate plan to meet your needs.

  Effective estate planning documents not only convey your wishes upon your death, but also speak for you in the event that you can no longer speak for yourself. This latter situation can occur as a result of an accident or sickness affecting your legal capacity.

The following is a list of some (but not all) circumstances where an effective estate plan has great value:

• You have a modest anticipated estate, but still care exactly who receives it and that it transfers quickly
• You are married or otherwise are in a committed relationship
• You have children or other dependents
• You have particular concerns regarding your heirs including:
  • Irresponsibility with money
  • Potential creditor claims
  • Claims in divorce
  • Special needs and government support
  • Incentivizing and motivating personal achievement
  • The influence of future relationships
• You are in a blended marriage especially including children from a prior-marriage
• You are interested in preserving your estate in light of receiving Medicaid and other assistance
• You have a number of intended beneficiaries who may or may not survive you (spouse, parents, etc.)
• You are interested leaving money to charity
• You want to reduce the probability of your abuse as you get older
• You want to ensure that your end-of-life wishes are carried out including whether or not to withhold life sustaining support
• You want to minimize the taxation of your gifts and estate
• You want to minimize the challenges to your estate on your death
• You want your estate to settle quickly

 With a good estate plan, you can ensure that those important to you are taken care of and how your legacy continues. Let us help you plan for the future.