Wills, Trusts, and Advanced Planning

What is Estate Planning?

You often hear that people try to protect their assets before they wed, but did you know that Estate Planning should be a common act regardless of your marital status?

Estate planning focuses on ensuring that your finances provide you with the maximum benefit while you are alive and later passed down to your loved ones as you see fit.

There are many ways to secure your assets and to ensure that they work for you. Whether you are planning to wed, are already married, or simply want to make sure that your children and loved ones will be taken care of after you pass, protect your assets today. Our team can help ensure that the best laid out plans will secure your financial future today and for years to come.

What is a Last Will and Testament?

A will is often a written document (declaration) of how a person wishes for his assets/property to be distributed once they pass.

What is a Living Will?

A Living Will is an advanced health care directive which informs your loved ones how you wish for your health care to be handled in the event that you are incapable of speaking your wishes yourself. A Living Will is only in effect while the author is still alive. Living Wills usually include directions for life-prolonging measures, DNR (do not resuscitate) orders, and organ donation.

If you are ready to discuss your wishes and how to plan ahead, please call our team to help guide you in your plans.

What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney gives another person of your choosing (your agent) the legal authority to act as your attorney-in-fact, to manage and direct your finances and financial interests in the event that you become incapacitated and/or in circumstances where you permit.

What is a Trust?

A Trust is a legal document and planning tool which permits assets to be secured in a specific manner and distributed in accordance with a set of rules. Trusts can be revocable, irrevocable, testamentary, or lifetime. Trusts can be prepared as Special Needs Trusts or Credit Shelter Trusts.