Experienced Estate Planning and Probate Attorneys
Our attorneys develop estate plans and implement complex business succession trusts, asset protection trusts, and special needs trusts for our clients.
We create detailed plans for asset management during your life. If a disability occurs, we help you protect your assets. Upon death, we deliver counsel to ensure a tax-efficient transfer of wealth.
Our services encompass general estate planning and trust drafting, elder law and probate administration, and guidance on matters including guardianships, conservatorships, and wills.
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Our attorneys develop estate plans and implement complex business succession trusts, asset protection trusts, and special needs trusts for our clients.
Estate Planning Attorneys Help Plan for the Future
Estate planning attorneys help individuals and families plan for the future. They create wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, and much more. Estate planning lawyers also assist with estate administration and taking care of your assets during life, thereby helping to ensure that all decisions are properly recorded and implemented as intended after death.
Estate planning is essential for everyone, ranging from those who simply want to establish their healthcare directives and last will, to those looking to name a guardian for any minor children, or preserve an inheritance in trust. With the right estate plan, families can protect themselves from the uncertainty of life's events.
Regardless of the size or complexity of the legal issue, our attorneys deliver the thoughtful guidance needed to ensure that all of your affairs are settled according to your wishes.
What is a Trust?
A trust is a legal document that allows you to specify how and when your assets are transferred to your beneficiaries after your death. Trusts can be used to pass assets to loved ones, charitable organizations, or for other purposes. Trusts can also help reduce estate and income taxes for your beneficiaries and preserve your wealth.
Trusts often avoid probate, which can allow beneficiaries to access assets more quickly than if they were transferred through a will.
Do I Need an Estate Planning Attorney to Create My Will?
A living will is a document that states your wishes for end-of-life medical care and is written to ensure that your choices are carried out in the event you become incapacitated. It can also include instructions like organ donation requests or any other desires you may have concerning your healthcare.
Your will also details how your assets should be distributed after death. A will is a legally binding document that lists the individuals who should receive your estate and any instructions on how or when they are to receive it. A will also details your choice of guardian for any minor children and names an executor responsible for carrying out your wishes. Without a will, your affairs may not be handled as you wish after death. This can cause unnecessary stress and strain on your loved ones in an already difficult time.
It is important to note that wills must comply with state laws to be legally binding. An experienced estate planning attorney can help ensure that your will meets all requirements and is properly filed with the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have both a will and a living trust?
Yes, it is possible to have both a will and a living trust in your estate plan. A will outlines how you would like your assets to be distributed after death, while a living trust is used during your lifetime to manage those same assets. Having both documents can ensure that all of your wishes are carried out after you are gone. If you have questions about how a will and trust can work together for your estate plan, let an experienced estate planning attorney guide you at Dooley Gembala.
How much does it cost to set up an estate plan?
The cost to set up an estate plan can vary depending on the complexity of your situation. Factors like the size of your estate, the number of beneficiaries, and the types of documents needed can all affect the cost of a basic estate plan. At Dooley Gembala, we offer consultation calls so you can get an estimate of what your estate plan will cost. We strive to provide comprehensive services at a reasonable rate so that everyone can have peace of mind knowing their future is secure.