We handle a variety of estate planning matters, including planning for the distribution of an individual’s property at his or her death and taking into account wills, taxes, insurance, property, and trusts so as to gain the maximum benefit of all laws, while, at the same time, carrying out the person’s wishes. By way of example, estate planning may include wills, spousal and children’s trusts, insurance trusts, special needs trusts, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, advance medical directives, powers of attorney (general, special, and medical), as well as an array of sophisticated planning techniques used to protect assets from unnecessary probate costs and taxation.
In addition to estate planning, we also assist clients with probate and estate administration. Probate is the legal process by which a person’s debts are paid and assets are distributed upon her or his death. Estate administration includes the probate process, as well as non-probate transfers of the deceased’s assets. Individual state laws direct the probate court on how to distribute the deceased’s estate. State laws and procedures vary greatly, so it is important to consult a firm with expertise in this area of the law to ensure that the deceased’s assets are distributed correctly.