Estate Planning
Estate planning is a process designed to allow you to control your property while you are alive and well, plan for yourself and your loved ones in the event of your disability, and then give what you have to whom you want, when you want, the way you want. It also concerns the development of a life-long relationship with a legal professional to provide assistance to your family in the event of disability or death.
We help co-create estate plans that embrace your vision, so you can protect your family, including your pets, and provide for those you love.
Estate planning includes understanding the relationship between how you own your assets, beneficiary designations, and the legal documents that support your plan. It also includes the proper selection and appointment of “helpers” including personal representatives, trustees, agents, guardians for minors, and caregivers for pets.
Estate planning is not a one-time activity, but instead a life-long commitment that contemplates the ongoing change experienced in your life, your legacy, the law, and ultimately, your lawyer’s experience.
A comprehensive estate plan will, at a minimum, include:
- A Last Will
- Personal Property Memorandum
- A Durable Financial Power of Attorney
- A Durable Health Care Power of Attorney (Health Care Surrogate)
- A Living Will (for end-of-life decision-making)
- A Pre-Need Guardian Declaration
- Organ Donation Declaration (if desired)
- Your Memorial Instructions and directions regarding burial or cremation
In addition, many estate plans may include a Revocable Living Trust or other Advanced Planning Trusts for the purpose of reducing exposure to estate taxes, the preservation of assets for long-term care, or for charitable giving purposes
Our Process
Educational Workshop (Optional)
Join us in our classroom for an interactive workshop designed to educate families about general estate planning principles, the federal estate and gift tax structures, and the importance of implementing and maintaining a relevant estate plan. We highly recommend you attend an educational workshop, but it is optional.
Discovery and Decision Dialogue
Counselling and Design Meeting
Signing Ceremony
We review and sign all drafted documents. (Remaining 1/2 of your fee is due.)
Asset Ownership and Protection; Updating, Education, Maintenance, & Support can be
provided at an additional fee.
Estate Planning Process
Our estate planning process begins with education. You are invited to attend a complimentary educational workshop on Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning, or Pet Planning. This choice is yours. Workshops are helpful in answering questions before you meet with an attorney, but they are optional and not required.
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The next step is our Counselling phase, where we will work together in a Design Meeting to co-create your customized estate plan. At this meeting, we will teach you the questions you didn’t even know you needed to ask in making the important decisions to create a Will or Trust-based estate plan.
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The Signing Ceremony is next. At this meeting, we will review and explain all of the legal directives that comprise your customized estate plan. You’ll sign your estate plan at this meeting, making all of your wishes effective at this time. You will take your completed estate plan home so you can review each instrument in the privacy of your own home. Any questions or changes can be addressed at any time.
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Practice Areas
Estate Planning
and Planning, and Mediation.
Elder Law
Trust and Estate Administration
Special Needs and Disability Planning
Guardian Advocacy and Guardianship
