Wills & Trusts
Using documents time-tested for over 20 years, I can put together a plan to best suit your needs with minimal financial impact. In most cases, no probate is needed. Every set of documents also includes durable powers of attorney for health and financial matters. These documents are mandatory to avoid any guardianship or conservatorship proceeding in probate court.
Here are just a few reasons to think about estate planning now:
- If you have minor children, unless you have a legally valid will in place nominated the legal guardian, your children may not be placed with the person you choose, regardless of whether you have discussed the matter with your family. Further, if you don’t have a plan in place, a conservator must be appointed for those minor children. This can cost your estate tens of thousands of dollars . . . money that would be better used for the benefit of your minor children.
- If you have children from a previous marriage or relationship, your spouse will lose those assets to your ex-spouse.
- If your estate exceeds the applicable exclusion amount ($5 million this year), no tax planning can occur without proper documents in place before your death. This cannot be fixed. You risk losing up to half your assets above the exempt amount. Even estate slightly above the exempt amount will lose hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The right plan for you may be a simple will to protect your minor children or a more complicated trust. After we jointly determine the right plan for you, I charge a flat fee, so you know up front what my services will cost.
