Estate Planning

My firm can help you protect your family and property through estate planning. I will work closely with you to ensure that your specific concerns and needs are addressed. I understand that talking about end-of-life matters can be uncomfortable and I do my best to put you at ease.

Last Will & Testament: Directs the transfer of property to heirs named in the Will. Reciprocal Wills between spouses transfer property to each other with specific bequests to heirs.

Will with a Testamentary Trust: Set up a Trust for an under-aged or incompetent heir within a will.

Revocable Living Trust: Used instead of a Will to transfer property without a probate and without public access to personal estate matters. Useful if property is owned in two states. If properly maintained, it avoids probate upon the death of the Trustors. Property must be transferred to the Trust.

Community Property Agreement: The essential documents needed to prevent the probate of an estate after the death of one spouse. Spouses agree that all the property is community property and will go to the other spouse upon death without probate. Specific exceptions can be made.

Health Care Directive (Living Will): Certified directions to health care providers to allow a person to die under certain circumstances.

General Durable Power of Attorney: Gives another person the power to act on behalf of the principal in all matters. This power can be conferred immediately or only upon the incapacity of the principal.

Limited Power of Attorney: Grants power to another for specific acts, such as to buy or sell a particular property.

Medical Power of Attorney: Grants the power to make medical decisions to another person; usually done in concert with a Directive to Physicians.