Preparing for the inevitable and the unexpected.
We all know that death is inevitable, and, on a good day, we strive to peacefully accept that it can occur at the most unexpected moment. When you put your estate plan in place, you have the opportunity to more fully enjoy the here and now by knowing that you've done what you can to prepare.
Preparing an estate plan is also a generous and caring act. By making difficult decisions, or having documents that facilitate the administration of your estate, you are relieving some of the burdens on those you leave behind.
You've made it here. That is a big hurdle, believe it or not. With an estate plan, you're preparing for death and incapacity, and that prospect is daunting for all of us. I distill this process into straightforward decisions and easy-to-understand options to help you get it done.
Whether your goal is to see that your assets pass free of unnecessary taxes and probate, appoint guardians for your minor children, or to make sure your surviving spouse or partner is protected - I can help. Whether you are planning for complex and valuable assets, want to preserve your home or business or ensure the care of your young children, or need to administer the estate of a friend or family member - I can help. With experience, skill, warmth and compassion.
The Basics of Estate Planning
A basic Estate Plan will include a Will, Financial Power of Attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive (sometimes called a "Living Will.”) Your Will passes your assets at death and is the document used to nominate guardians for your minor children. In your Financial Power of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directive, you appoint someone to make finanical or health care decisions for you, respectively, in the event you are unable to make them for yourself.
What is Revocable Trust?
An Estate Plan may also include a Revocable Trust (also sometimes called a "Living Trust"), which is, in essence, a will substitute: it directs the disposition of your assets at death. During life, the Revocable Trust will hold your assets, but you will have complete access to, and control over, those assets. The Revocable Trust provides for continuous administration of your assets in the event of your incapacity or death, without the need to go through a costly and cumbersome probate court proceeding.
Decision Making
There are three basic areas of decision-making as you plan your estate: 1) who will inherit your assets; 2) who will be in charge of things at your incapacity or death; and, if you have minor children, 3) who will be nominated as the guardian for any minor child.
My Style
The estate plans I prepare are comprehensive sets of documents. However, if you already have an estate plan in place, I can make any changes you want or need, or I can review your existing documents and discuss any changes I might recommend. I can also assist you in preparing Beneficiary Designations for retirement accounts and life insurance policies so that these assets are part of an overall coordinated plan, and in answering questions about other assets and how they should be handled.
I realize that the process of setting up, or even amending, Estate Planning documents can be difficult and emotional. I invite my clients to bring up these emotions at our meetings, so that, in the very least, I can understand what is behind the decisions. I also realize that it is possible to agonize over how best to do things. When we work together, I strive to help you find a balance between planning for the inevitable and living in the present. Life is a gift. Change is a must.
Preparing an estate plan is also a generous and caring act. By making difficult decisions, or having documents that facilitate the administration of your estate, you are relieving some of the burdens on those you leave behind.
You've made it here. That is a big hurdle, believe it or not. With an estate plan, you're preparing for death and incapacity, and that prospect is daunting for all of us. I distill this process into straightforward decisions and easy-to-understand options to help you get it done.
Whether your goal is to see that your assets pass free of unnecessary taxes and probate, appoint guardians for your minor children, or to make sure your surviving spouse or partner is protected - I can help. Whether you are planning for complex and valuable assets, want to preserve your home or business or ensure the care of your young children, or need to administer the estate of a friend or family member - I can help. With experience, skill, warmth and compassion.
The Basics of Estate Planning
A basic Estate Plan will include a Will, Financial Power of Attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive (sometimes called a "Living Will.”) Your Will passes your assets at death and is the document used to nominate guardians for your minor children. In your Financial Power of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directive, you appoint someone to make finanical or health care decisions for you, respectively, in the event you are unable to make them for yourself.
What is Revocable Trust?
An Estate Plan may also include a Revocable Trust (also sometimes called a "Living Trust"), which is, in essence, a will substitute: it directs the disposition of your assets at death. During life, the Revocable Trust will hold your assets, but you will have complete access to, and control over, those assets. The Revocable Trust provides for continuous administration of your assets in the event of your incapacity or death, without the need to go through a costly and cumbersome probate court proceeding.
Decision Making
There are three basic areas of decision-making as you plan your estate: 1) who will inherit your assets; 2) who will be in charge of things at your incapacity or death; and, if you have minor children, 3) who will be nominated as the guardian for any minor child.
My Style
The estate plans I prepare are comprehensive sets of documents. However, if you already have an estate plan in place, I can make any changes you want or need, or I can review your existing documents and discuss any changes I might recommend. I can also assist you in preparing Beneficiary Designations for retirement accounts and life insurance policies so that these assets are part of an overall coordinated plan, and in answering questions about other assets and how they should be handled.
I realize that the process of setting up, or even amending, Estate Planning documents can be difficult and emotional. I invite my clients to bring up these emotions at our meetings, so that, in the very least, I can understand what is behind the decisions. I also realize that it is possible to agonize over how best to do things. When we work together, I strive to help you find a balance between planning for the inevitable and living in the present. Life is a gift. Change is a must.
