Estate Planning

When many people hear the term estate planning, they think it refers only to the distribution of assets after death. That is part of it, of course, but effective estate planning can address important issues during one’s lifetime and in end-of-life situations.

For example, a well-designed estate plan will ensure that a person of your choosing can make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Without a plan, someone will petition the court to gain control over your medical care and assets. This could very well be a person you would not want to make important decisions on your behalf. In addition, the court processes involved are time-consuming, frustrating, and expensive. 

This is but one example of what an estate plan can help you accomplish. Depending on your particular needs and goals, we can design a plan that can help you achieve a great deal more, including:

• Ensure your minor children are raised according to your wishes if you die prematurely
• Give you complete control over your assets while you are alive and well and if you become incapacitated
• Bequeath what you want to whom you want in the manner you want
• Protect your hard-earned assets against lawsuits, creditors and other threats
• Pass your values, work ethic, and sense of responsibility on to heirs
• Reduce income, estate, gift, capital gains, property, and other taxes
• Keep your financial affairs and family information private
• Protect the inheritances of your heirs
• Leave a lasting legacy
• Coordinate charitable gifting in a tax-efficient manner

We will work closely with you to thoroughly understand your wishes, clearly explain your options, and design a customized plan to accomplish all of your goals. The tools we can utilize on your behalf include:

• Wills
• Revocable Trusts
• Irrevocable Trusts
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
• “See-Through” Trusts designed to maximize tax-deferred benefits associated with qualified retirement plans (Individual Retirement Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b)s)
• Qualified retirement plan beneficiary designations
• Supplemental Needs Trusts
• Credit Shelter Trusts
• Marital Trusts (with Qualified Terminable Interest Property provisions)
• Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts
• Qualified Personal Residence Trusts
• Delaware Trusts
• Asset Preservation Trusts
• Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Charitable Lead Trusts

In addition, we can collaborate with your accountant, financial planner, insurance representative, and other advisors to ensure all of your needs are addressed. Once your plan is completed and implemented, you will enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family and assets are protected.

Contact us today for a personal meeting to discuss your particular needs and goals.