Estate planning involves determining how you want your assets managed and transferred after death or incapacitation. It can include a will, power of attorney, advance health care directive, trusts, charitable donations and funeral arrangements.
An experienced Barrhead estate planning lawyer can help you set up these documents and minimize state and federal taxes. Zimmet suggests looking for an attorney who welcomes questions and explains complex matters in ways you fully understand.
The Benefits of Making an Estate Plan
An estate plan can help you control what happens to your money, property and possessions after you die or become incapacitated. It can also help ensure that your wishes regarding healthcare and other issues are carried out.
It can reduce the amount of time and expense incurred by your family in dealing with your estate and final affairs. It can also help minimize taxes on your assets, which is an important consideration in a number of situations.
An experienced Barrhead estate planning lawyer can prepare documents that address all aspects of your estate and provide you with expert advice on all the state laws related to trusts, wills and power of attorney. A qualified attorney understands the emotional complexity involved in these matters and will ensure that your document meets all the legal requirements of your state. A good attorney will also be familiar with the changes in federal and state laws affecting these areas and will have a strategic know-how that can assist you with many different issues.
Do-It-Yourself Kits
While there are many online kits that promise to help you create your own documents, they may not fully address state laws regarding wills and trusts. A Barrhead estate planning lawyer is familiar with the state laws and will ensure that your documents meet all legal requirements. They will also provide guidance on matters such as guardianship, power of attorney and advance health care directives. An experienced attorney will welcome your questions and answer them in a way that you can understand.
Online Wills & Estate Planning Services
Most people think of estate planning as a tool for the wealthy, but it’s important for anyone with significant assets. An attorney can help you inventory your property and accounts to determine how to best distribute them, and they can also consider federal and state laws that affect trusts and estates.
They can also help you reduce taxes by using trusts and charitable donations, and they can mediate between beneficiaries if conflicts arise after a loved one dies. They can also prepare documents for incapacitation, such as powers of attorney and healthcare proxies.
An online will service can save you money by letting you make your own legal documents at a fraction of the cost that an attorney would charge. The services we reviewed use state-specific forms created by legal experts, and they provide instructions that ensure your documents are legally binding. Some of these services are free, and others have a monthly fee. Those that have a subscription model typically include unlimited updates for a year with the initial purchase.
Choosing an Attorney
It’s important that you work with an attorney who is familiar with state and federal laws regarding estates and trusts. You also want to make sure that they have experience drafting different types of estate planning documents.
One way to find an attorney is to ask trusted friends, family members, and colleagues for recommendations. Another option is to consult with financial professionals you use, such as accountants and insurance agents.
It is important to discuss the method of representation with any potential attorney you interview so that they know how you prefer to work. This will help ensure that there is clarity in ongoing communication and avoids any issues with family conflict after your death or incapacitation.
Moreover, it is a good idea to look at an attorney’s organizational skills. This is crucial because an attorney will need to manage multiple client files and their various materials efficiently. It is also a good idea to find out if an attorney has a team of associates, paralegals, or other support staff that can assist them when they’re busy.