We offer a full range of trust and estate services to our clients to preserve their wealth and to enable them to pass assets to their families and other beneficiaries in the most appropriate and tax-effective manner.
A will is a tool that allows a person to designate to whom he wishes his property to pass. If you do not have a valid Will at the time of your death, the state will distribute your property for you according to the laws of intestacy, and that may not be how you want it to be distributed. We can prepare your will to ensure that you – and not the government – decide how to distribute your assets upon your death.
A will is essential to any estate plan, but is not in itself enough for proper planning. Most people are aware of the reasons for having a will, but not everyone knows that a will does not solve every problem. For example, your will only covers probate property, not joint property, trust property, or life insurance proceeds.
In addition, a will is of no use while a person is alive. If a person becomes incapacitated and needs someone to take charge of his or her medical care or finances, a will is not helpful for this purpose. It is a common mistake to believe that the person designated as “Executor” in the will has these powers. This is not the case. A separate health care proxy and durable power of attorney are necessary or someone else to act on behalf of the person who is incapacitated.