- Estate PlanningI established my law office in 1993, over 20 years ago, to serve clients with their estate planning and related needs. I offer personal service to my clients and specialize in the following areas of law...
- WillsThe probate of a Last Will and Testament refers to a state court proceeding to administer a deceased person's estate. It normally involves procedures such as the inventory and appraisal of the estate assets, the payment of the decedent's last debts, the payment of the decedent's last taxes, the possible sale of real and/or personal property assets, and the final distribution and transfer of the estate assets to the beneficiaries of the deceased person's Last Will and Testament by Court order.
- TrustsA living trust is a written agreement, a contract that you may amend or change or even revoke during your lifetime. It provides a property manager, called a trustee, to manage your personal and real property placed into the trust. Initially you are the trustee or property manager. In your trust agreement, you also appoint successor trustees to act on your behalf if you cannot manage your own property for any reason. Your successor trustee has a special legal responsibility, called a fiduciary duty, to manage your assets for your benefit and to report and account to you. For example, your trustee would be able to pay your bills, deposit checks into your bank accounts, manage your investments, arrange for repairs to your home, and sell property (if necessary) for your care.
- Power of AttorneyAn Advance Health Care Directive, often called a “living will” in the news, allows you to make your written health care decisions known in advance, if for any reason you are unable to communicate your wishes to your doctor. An Advance Health Care Directive may also be a durable power of attorney for health care in which you appoint a family member or friend to make health care decisions on your behalf when you cannot do so. This person is called your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact.” Your doctor and your agent are required by law to follow your lawful instructions.
- Probate
- Tax LawTo begin your estate planning, you will need to identify the assets that you want to include in your plan. It is very helpful to have an estimated value of your personal property and real property for tax planning and discussion purposes during your first estate planning meeting. Please write the approximate fair market value next to each asset you own and bring this with you to your initial visit.