Estate Planning



A note about "information overload". There's lots of advice out there, both good and bad. How do you know which is which? Family members may be knowledgeable and have your interests at heart, or they may have their own agendas. Friends may make false assumptions, not really knowing your unique situation, but telling you all about what they did. The purpose of free seminars is marketing. Non-lawyers use your legal needs as a come-on to sell insurance and financial products. (Sometimes they do refer you to lawyers but too often those are lawyers who also represent them or send them business). Can you "do it yourself"? Maybe. And maybe not. The internet is loaded with material and articles that can leave you more confused. Often the material is there to "beef up" someone's website, but the information is usually elementary and incomplete, and might not even be right for you. (Notice the "not legal advice" disclaimers -- you won't find one here.)

So what should you do? What you should do is meet with your lawyer! (Before you make an expensive mistake.)


Wills and Probate
(Last Will and Testament)

Revocable Living Trusts

Insurance Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, other kinds of trusts
(Special Needs Trusts)

Powers of Attorney for Property
(Durable Power of Attorney)

Medical Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives
(Health Care Surrogate, Living Will)

Real Estate Deeds and Other Property Arrangements
(Quit Claim Deed, Ladybird Deed, Life Estate Deed)

Elder and Charitable Planning

Family Partnerships

Asset Protection

Guardianship Issues
(Pre-need Declaration of Guardianship)

Pre-Divorce Planning, Post-Divorce Planning

Prenuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
(Prenuptial Agreement)

Post-Mortem Planning

Probate and Trust Administration