There comes a time when we could all use some wills and trust help to get our final affairs in order, because handling these financial matters alone is just too difficult. Not only is it easier to organize a living trust, living will or last will with professional guidance – it’s also likely to be more beneficial for everyone involved. There’s no need to wait to get these matters taken care of. In fact, it’s best to take care of them as early as possible, so you can rest assured that you and your loved ones will be taken care of. The question remains, however: Whom do you turn to for help when planning wills or trusts? The following tips should help.
Understanding the Financial Choices
There are three financial planning strategies to choose from when it comes to wills and trusts:
- Last Will – Ensures that property will be allotted to your beneficiaries per your wishes, funeral and burial costs will be covered and rights will be provided to the new guardians of any minor children in your absence.
- Living Will – Used to specify your wishes in major health care decisions (e.g. life support, Power of Attorney rights, organ donation specification, etc.)
- Living Trust – Transfers property to beneficiaries, names guardians for minors and specifies other last wishes in a swift and private manner, without requiring beneficiaries to go through probate court and pay for all the associated fees.
Seeking Help from the Right Sources
Your will and/or trust may include some complicated issues that your attorney should be knowledgeable about, such as the following:
- Asset preservation
- Changing asset titles
- Charitable/philanthropic wishes
- Codicils
- Entity formation
- Funding an education
- Grantor-retained annuity trusts
- Irrevocable trusts
- Liquidity
- Retirement planning
- Risk management
- Tax issues
An experienced and dedicated legal professional can help get all your final wishes and estate plans organized, and continue to maintain them throughout your life. This may include the drafting of a will or trust, as well as review and amendment of previously existing trusts or estate planning documents. Your legal representative can also execute the will or trust when the time comes. It’s important to find a professional firm with the resources to handle your will or trust now and into the future, whether you are an individual or part of a married couple or domestic partnership. And finally, it’s important to think about your specific needs and how this legal expert can help you.
For assistance with the review and/or creation of estate planning documents, please give us a call at (866) 493-5400 and schedule a complimentary, initial consultation with one of our legal professionals.
