Every Legacy Begins in the Present
Every Legacy Begins in the Present
Estate planning can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be.
We’ve answered some of the most common questions our clients ask so you can feel informed, prepared, and confident as you plan for your future and the people you love. If you don’t see your question here, we’re always happy to help.
Estate planning is the process of legally documenting your wishes for your assets, healthcare, and loved ones should you become incapacitated or pass away. It ensures:
• Your property goes where you want it to go
• Someone you trust can make decisions for you
• Your family avoids unnecessary court involvement
• Your legacy is protected, not left to chance
Great estate planning gives you control now and peace of mind later.
A thoughtfully designed estate plan typically includes:
• Last Will & Testament
• Financial Power of Attorney
• Advance Directive for Healthcare
• HIPAA Release
• Beneficiary designations review
• (Optional) Trusts tailored to your personal and family needs
Each plan is customized based on your assets, family dynamics, and long-term goals.
A Trust is a legal tool that holds and protects your assets (such as property, investments, or business interests) for your benefit now and your loved ones’ benefit later. By placing assets into a trust, you ensure they’re managed and distributed according to your wishes, often more smoothly and privately than a will alone allows.
Depending on how a trust is structured, it may also help reduce or avoid certain taxes and court costs, depending on the structure. As part of your planning, we’ll talk through whether a trust makes sense for your goals and work with your tax or financial professionals as needed.
If you no longer wish to keep a revocable trust in place—perhaps because your circumstances have changed or all trust assets have been transferred—the trust may be terminated. In general, this involves two steps:
1. Transferring all assets out of the trust; and
2. Signing a formal revocation document that clearly states your intent to dissolve the trust.
Because trusts are legal documents that interact with deeds, titles, and financial accounts, it’s important to dissolve them correctly. We can guide you through each step and ensure the proper paperwork and records are in place.
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a person’s estate after they pass away. The court validates any will, ensures debts and expenses are paid, and oversees distribution of the remaining assets.
Probate often comes at a time of intense grief, when paperwork, deadlines, and legal steps can feel disorienting and overwhelming. We guide families through each stage with clarity and compassion so they never have to navigate the process alone.
Our Legal Wealth & Legacy Planning focuses on the legal side of protecting what you’ve built and preparing for what comes next. This may include:
• Structuring how your home, investment property, or business interests are owned;
• Coordinating beneficiary designations with your will and trusts;
• Planning for retirement and potential long-term care costs, including the use of Medicaid- or VA-compliant tools designed to preserve eligibility while protecting assets where possible; and
• Business succession planning for LLC owners and other business owners who want a clear plan for who steps in, how ownership transfers, or how a business should be wound down.
We do not replace your financial advisor or tax professional, but we work alongside them to make sure your legal documents support your overall financial and retirement goals.
Guardianship and conservatorship are court-supervised arrangements used when an adult can no longer manage their personal or financial affairs.
• A guardian makes decisions about personal care, living arrangements, and medical needs.
• A conservator manages money, property, and financial decisions.
These tools are sometimes necessary, but they can be time-consuming, emotional, and expensive. With the right documents in place now—such as powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives—you can often avoid the need for guardianship or conservatorship later and choose the people you trust to act on your behalf.
Yes. While we don’t provide financial or investment advice, we do help clients explore legal strategies that may protect assets while planning for future care needs. This can include:
• Structuring ownership of assets with potential Medicaid or VA benefits in mind;
• Discussing long-term care considerations as part of your estate plan; and
• Coordinating with your financial planner or benefits professional to align your legal documents with your care and retirement goals.
Our goal is to help you prepare early, so you have more options if assisted living, in-home care, or nursing home placement ever becomes necessary.
Absolutely. For many people, pets are family, and your estate plan can reflect that. We can create provisions—or even a dedicated pet trust—to:
• Name a trusted caregiver for your pets;
• Set aside funds for their food, medical care, and daily needs; and
• Leave clear instructions about how you want them to be loved and cared for.
Including pets in your plan ensures they are not overlooked and that the person you choose has both the legal authority and the resources to care for them.
You should review your estate plan after major life events—such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child or grandchild, a significant change in assets, starting or selling a business, or a move to a new state. However, you don’t need to track dates or remember to check in. We reach out to our clients annually to ensure nothing is overlooked and your documents always match your current life and wishes.